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The policy of reconciliation that Nelson R. Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk represent, provides hope not only for South Africa; it is also a shining example for the world that there are ways out of the vicious circle of violence and bitterness."
Excerpts from presentation speech by Francis Sejersted, Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, 1993

Frederik Willem de Klerk was born in Johannesburg on 18 March 1936. He made politics his career in 1972 and in 1978 he was appointed to the Cabinet. During the following 11 years he was responsible for a number of portfolios preparing him for his post as State President. De Klerk served as State President from 1989 until President Nelson Mandela's inauguration on 10 May 1994. During this period, De Klerk played a key role in dismantling apartheid and the process that led to the adoption of South Africa's Interim Constitution in December 1993.

His leading role in the democratic transformation of South Africa between 1989 and 1994 helped to establish peace and justice in South Africa and contributed significantly to the creation of our new non-racial democracy.

On 2 February 1989, the caucus of the National Party chose De Klerk as the national Leader of the party.
On 2 February 1990, State President De Klerk made announcements in Parliament that would drastically change South Africa and accelerate the abolition of apartheid.
He played a key role in dismantling apartheid and the process that lead to the adoption of South Africa 's Interim Constitution in December 1993.