Speaking to a near-capacity Distinguished Lecture Series crowd at the Orpheum Theatre, 211 State St., Wednesday, former South African President F.W. de Klerk emphasized his nation's deep commitment to positive change since the fall of apartheid and the country's first democratic election in 1994.
De Klerk served as president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994. After freeing Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990, de Klerk lost to Mandela in the historic election. The two men were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their roles in dismantling apartheid and instituting a democratic constitution.
De Klerk led his speech with a theme of reform.
\Our phenomenal success lies in our unique ability to change our environment to suit our own needs,"" he said. ""We have the capacity to end ongoing conflicts that result in so many deaths.""
He also cited statistics showing that after the implementation of democracy, blacks had ""moved into dominant positions in many sections of the consumer market,"" saying more black South Africans bought televisions, refrigerators and other appliances than ever before.
In addition, de Klerk emphasized the positive effects of providing education to more black citizens. For example, in 1994, the number of black undergraduates at South African universities was 120,823'substantially higher than white enrollment of 116,000.
""The answer lies in development, development, development,"" he said. ""Creating economic opportunity, a better life, going hand in hand with ... democratic institutions.""
De Klerk's overriding message was the applicability of South Africa's methods of reform to any endeavor. He outlined several steps necessary for successfully instigating change.
""First, we need acceptance of the necessity of reform,"" he said. ""We dread the move into uncharted waters.""
Next, he stated reformers must avoid the temptation to bluff instead of truly working toward change.
""We think of brilliant new ways of doing the wrong thing better,"" he said.
Like the South African leaders, we must instead ""accept grave risks, take and make a quantum leap.""
Last, de Klerk warned against ""change for the sake of change."" Instead, he said those wishing to change the status quo must develop an achievable vision, one ""built on the cornerstone of justice.""
Natalie Keinath, a UW-Madison junior, was impressed by de Klerk's message.
""I'm really interested in the process of change in South Africa and how it could be applied to our nation's problems,"" she said. ""The outcome is inspiring.\
