News / Africa
Mandela had been a 'cruel and unfair' political opponent - FW de Klerk
11 May 2012 at 08:15hrs | Views
Johannesburg â€" Former South African president Nelson Mandela is not a "holy man" unlike some people's idea of him and he had been a "cruel and unfair" political opponent, said former president FW de Klerk.
De Klerk gave a talk at the River Club in northern Johannesburg on Friday evening.
De Klerk described Mandela "one of the biggest South African leaders of my generation" and said they had clashed repeatedly.
He said Madiba - a Xhosa nobleman - had integrity, was a good communicator, charming and someone of stature who was able to keep the ANC unified through the most difficult times.
He also spoke about other politicians like former president PW Botha, whom he described as difficult and with a short fuse. He said he had ruled through fear rather than consensus but was also highly functional and capable.
He also had a lot of praise for former Russian president Michail Gorbachev and said he was responsible for changing the world.
De Klerk gave a talk at the River Club in northern Johannesburg on Friday evening.
De Klerk described Mandela "one of the biggest South African leaders of my generation" and said they had clashed repeatedly.
He said Madiba - a Xhosa nobleman - had integrity, was a good communicator, charming and someone of stature who was able to keep the ANC unified through the most difficult times.
He also spoke about other politicians like former president PW Botha, whom he described as difficult and with a short fuse. He said he had ruled through fear rather than consensus but was also highly functional and capable.
He also had a lot of praise for former Russian president Michail Gorbachev and said he was responsible for changing the world.
Source - Rapport
