Frederik Willem de Klerk Biography

Birth of Frederik Willem de Klerk

First elected to the South African Parliament

Legalizes mass demonstrations for the first time since 1976

South Africa gives up control of South West Africa

States the Reservation of Separate Amenities Act will be repealed. Opens South African beaches to all races

Legalizes mass demonstrations for the first time since 1976

Replaces Botha as Party Leader of the South Africa National Party

Appointed interim President following the illness of President Botha

States the Reservation of Separate Amenities Act will be repealed. Opens South African beaches to all races

Announces the lifting of the ban on the ANC during the opening of Parliament

Announces the intention to release Nelson Mandela during the opening of Parliament

Positions himself to succeed Botha as head of government.

Announces the lifting of the ban on the Communist Party

Is chosen National Party leader after P W Botha resigns.

Nelson Mandela is released from prison

Innaugarated as President of South Africa

Wins an election to offer representation for all elements of the population

Wins an election to offer representation for all elements of the population

Appointed President of South Africa

Begins the presidency that leads into constitutional negotiations.

Is inaugurated as State President at the Union Buildings.

The Commonwealth supports sanctions against South Africa, ossinly Britain is opposed. The Commonwealth supports sanctions against South Africa, only Britain is opposed

The Commonwealth supports sanctions against South Africa, only Britain is opposed

The Commonwealth supports sanctions against South Africa, ossinly Britain is opposed

de Klerk announces the release of Mandela

Passes legislation which abolishes Apartheid

Passes legislation which abolishes Apartheid

President de Klerk & Nelson Mandela hold talks

Announces lifting the 30 yr ANC ban, prohibited since Sharpville in 1960

Announces lifting the 30 yr PAC ban, prohibited since Sharpville in 1960

Mandela is released from prison after 27yrs

The Republic of Namibia becomes an independent state. South Africa withdraws from Namibia

The Republic of Namibia becomes an independent state. South Africa withdraws from Namibia

Negotiations between Mandela & de Klerk begin

Negotiations began with a meeting between the African National Congress and the South African Government at the presidential residence, Groote Schuur. Groote Schuur Minute, a commitment to the resolution of the climate of violence and intimidation as well as the removal of practical obstacles to negotiations including indemnity from prosecution for returning exiles & release of political prisoners

Groote Schuur Minute, a commitment to the resolution of the climate of violence and intimidation as well as the removal of practical obstacles to negotiations including indemnity from prosecution for returning exiles & release of political prisoners

Announces an end to the 4 yr state of national emergency, except for Natal

The ANC announce the suspension of the "armed struggle"

The South African Government and the African National Congress extend their consensus to include several new points, the Pretoria Minute includes the suspension of the armed struggle by the ANC and its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe

The South African Government and the African National Congress extend their consensus to include several new points, the Pretoria Minute includes the suspension of the armed struggle by the ANC and its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe

The National Peace Accord is a critical step toward formal negotiations, signed by representatives of 27 political organisations and national and homeland Governments, and prepares the way for the CODESA negotiations

The National Peace Accord is a critical step toward formal negotiations, signed by representatives of 27 political organisations and national and homeland Governments, and prepares the way for the CODESA negotiations

The South African National Party opens its membership to all races

The State of Emergency is lifted

The ANC is legalized

The pass laws are abolished. No longer statutory for every citizen to be classified into one of nine racial groups

A "national peace accord" is agreed between the Inkatha, ANC & National Party

Announces the Group Areas Act of 1966 will be abolished

Announces the Land Acts of 1913 & 1936 will be abolished

The Land Acts of 1913 & 1936 are repealed. The Group Areas Act of 1950 is repealed

The Land Acts of 1913 & 1936 are repealed. The Group Areas Act of 1950 is repealed

President Bush lifts economic sanctions

Calls a conference attended by the Inkatha Freedom Party, the ANC & the National Party

Announces proposals for a new constitution that will provide black suffrage. Announces a new constitution that will provide suffrage for black people

Announces proposals for a new constitution that will provide black suffrage. Announces a new constitution that will provide suffrage for black people

Announces a new constitution that will provide suffrage for black people

19 political groups from all races create the Convention for a Democratic South Africa

19 political groups from all races create the Convention for a Democratic South Africa

The Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) , under the chairmanship of the judges Michael Corbett , Petrus Shabort and Ismail Mahomed, begins with a plenary session

Delegations from 19 political groups discuss drafting the new constitution

A white referendum gives a mandate to end white minority rule

A white referendum gives a mandate to end white minority rule & begin power sharing. A white referendum gives a mandate to end white minority rule

Troops open fire on 70,000 ANC demonstrators, 28 are killed

Troops open fire on 70,000 ANC demonstrators, 28 are killed

Mandela & de Klerk agree to a Government of national unity after elections. De Klerk abandons the principle of power sharing & majority rule until 1999. An interim majority rule constitution is adopted

Mandela & de Klerk agree to a Government of national unity after elections

For helping to democratize South Africa

The ANC & NP agree on a transistional Government of "National Unity"

Admits South Africa possesses nuclear weapons

South Africas 1st ever multi-racial election

Jointly announces the 1st multi racial elections in history for 27 April 94

The homelands are reincorparated into the republic

Widespread anti-aprtheid demonstrations

South Africa rejoins the Commonwealth

South Africa joins the Organisation for African Unity

South Africa joins the Southern African Development Community

The Reconstruction & Development Programme is launched

South Africa returns to the United Nations

The Interim constitution is completed

De Klerk withdraws the NP from the coalition