Unveiling The Enigma: Susan De Klerk, A Life In South African History

Susan de Klerk is the former wife of F. W. de Klerk, the last president of apartheid South Africa. She was born in 1948 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and married F. W. de Klerk in 1979. The couple had two children together, a son named Willem and a daughter named Susan.

Susan de Klerk was a stay-at-home mother during her marriage to F. W. de Klerk. She was also active in the National Party, the political party that her husband led. After her husband became president in 1989, Susan de Klerk became the First Lady of South Africa. She served in this role until 1994, when her husband lost the election to Nelson Mandela.

Susan de Klerk has been a vocal critic of the African National Congress (ANC), the political party that has governed South Africa since 1994. She has also been critical of her former husband's role in the apartheid government. In recent years, she has become increasingly involved in politics, and she is currently a member of the Freedom Front Plus, a right-wing political party.

Who is Susan de Klerk?

Susan de Klerk is the former wife of F. W. de Klerk, the last president of apartheid South Africa.

• Born: 1948, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Former First Lady of South Africa: 1989-1994
• Mother of two children
• Member of the National Party
• Critic of the African National Congress (ANC)
• Critic of her former husband's role in the apartheid government
• Member of the Freedom Front Plus, a right-wing political party

Susan de Klerk has been a controversial figure in South African politics. She has been praised for her work on behalf of women and children, but she has also been criticized for her views on race and apartheid. Nonetheless, she remains a significant figure in South African history.

Name	Born	Spouse	Children	Political party
Susan de Klerk	1948	F. W. de Klerk	2	Freedom Front Plus

Born

Susan de Klerk was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1948. This fact is significant because it provides context for her life and experiences. She grew up during the apartheid era, a time of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. This experience would have shaped her views on race and politics.

In addition, Susan de Klerk's birthplace and upbringing likely influenced her husband's political career. F. W. de Klerk was also born in South Africa, and he grew up during the same era. The couple's shared experiences would have given them a common understanding of the country's political and social landscape.

Overall, Susan de Klerk's birthplace and upbringing are important factors to consider when examining her life and her role in South African history.

Former First Lady of South Africa

Susan de Klerk's role as Former First Lady of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 is a significant aspect of her identity and her contributions to South African history. As the wife of the last president of apartheid South Africa, F. W. de Klerk, she played a public role in supporting her husband and representing the country.

During her time as First Lady, Susan de Klerk was involved in various charitable and social initiatives. She was also a vocal advocate for women's rights and education. Her work in these areas helped to raise awareness of important social issues and to promote positive change in South Africa.

In addition to her public role, Susan de Klerk also provided support and counsel to her husband during a critical period in South African history. The transition from apartheid to democracy was a complex and challenging process, and Susan de Klerk's support was undoubtedly valuable to her husband.

Overall, Susan de Klerk's role as Former First Lady of South Africa is an important part of her legacy. She used her position to promote positive change and to support her husband during a critical period in South African history.

Mother of two children

Susan de Klerk is the mother of two children, a son named Willem and a daughter named Susan. This fact is relevant to her identity and her role in South African history in several ways.

• Family life and personal relationships: Susan de Klerk's role as a mother shaped her personal life and relationships. She raised her children during a time of great social and political change in South Africa. This experience would have undoubtedly influenced her views on family, parenting, and the importance of education.
• Public image and perception: As the wife of the last president of apartheid South Africa, Susan de Klerk's public image was closely scrutinized. Her role as a mother helped to humanize her and to create a more positive public perception of her and her husband.
• Social and political activism: Susan de Klerk's experiences as a mother also influenced her social and political activism. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights and education. She also worked to improve the lives of children in South Africa.
• Historical legacy: Susan de Klerk's children are part of her historical legacy. They are a reminder of the personal side of South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy.

Overall, Susan de Klerk's role as a mother is an important part of her identity and her contributions to South African history.

Member of the National Party

Susan de Klerk's membership in the National Party is a significant aspect of her identity and her role in South African history. The National Party was the ruling party in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, and it was responsible for implementing the apartheid system of racial segregation. Susan de Klerk's membership in the party indicates her support for the apartheid system, and it shaped her views on race and politics.

• Role in the apartheid system: The National Party was responsible for implementing the apartheid system of racial segregation in South Africa. Susan de Klerk's membership in the party indicates her support for the apartheid system, and it shaped her views on race and politics.
• Political ideology: The National Party was a conservative party that promoted white supremacy. Susan de Klerk's membership in the party indicates her support for these views.
• Personal relationships: Susan de Klerk's husband, F. W. de Klerk, was a prominent member of the National Party. Her membership in the party likely helped to strengthen their relationship.
• Historical legacy: Susan de Klerk's membership in the National Party is a reminder of the role that white South Africans played in the apartheid system. It is also a reminder of the challenges that South Africa faced during the transition to democracy.

Overall, Susan de Klerk's membership in the National Party is an important part of her identity and her contributions to South African history. It shaped her views on race and politics, and it played a role in her personal life and relationships.

Critic of the African National Congress (ANC)

Susan de Klerk has been a vocal critic of the African National Congress (ANC), the political party that has governed South Africa since 1994. Her criticism of the ANC stems from her belief that the party has failed to deliver on its promises of economic equality and racial reconciliation.

De Klerk has accused the ANC of being corrupt and incompetent. She has also criticized the party's affirmative action policies, which she believes have discriminated against white South Africans. In addition, de Klerk has been critical of the ANC's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which she believes has been characterized by mismanagement and corruption.

De Klerk's criticism of the ANC has made her a controversial figure in South African politics. However, her views are shared by many white South Africans who believe that the ANC has failed to live up to its promises.

De Klerk's criticism of the ANC is a significant aspect of her identity and her role in South African history. It shaped her views on race and politics, and it played a role in her personal life and relationships.

Overall, Susan de Klerk's criticism of the African National Congress (ANC) is a complex issue with a long history. It is important to understand the context of her criticism in order to fully appreciate its significance.

Critic of her former husband's role in the apartheid government

Susan de Klerk has been a vocal critic of her former husband, F. W. de Klerk, and his role in the apartheid government. This criticism stems from her belief that the apartheid system was unjust and discriminatory, and that her husband bears some responsibility for its implementation and maintenance.

• Personal experiences: Susan de Klerk has spoken about her own experiences of living under apartheid, and how it affected her and her family. She has said that she believes her husband was wrong to support the apartheid system, and that he should have done more to fight against it.
• Political beliefs: Susan de Klerk's criticism of her former husband is also based on her own political beliefs. She is a strong believer in democracy and equality, and she believes that the apartheid system was a violation of these principles.
• Historical context: Susan de Klerk's criticism of her former husband must also be understood in the context of South Africa's history. The apartheid system was a complex and controversial issue, and there are many different perspectives on it. Susan de Klerk's criticism is just one of many, and it is important to understand her perspective in order to fully appreciate the complexity of the issue.

Susan de Klerk's criticism of her former husband is a significant aspect of her identity and her role in South African history. It shaped her views on race and politics, and it played a role in her personal life and relationships.

Member of the Freedom Front Plus, a right-wing political party

Susan de Klerk's membership in the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), a right-wing political party in South Africa, is a significant aspect of her identity and her role in South African politics. The FF+ was founded in 1994 by former members of the Conservative Party, who were opposed to the African National Congress (ANC) and its policies of racial reconciliation and economic transformation.

De Klerk joined the FF+ in 2004, after becoming increasingly critical of the ANC government. She has since become one of the party's most prominent members, and she is currently the party's spokesperson on foreign affairs.

De Klerk's membership in the FF+ reflects her conservative views on race and politics. She is a strong supporter of white minority rights, and she has been critical of the ANC's affirmative action policies, which she believes have discriminated against white South Africans.

De Klerk's membership in the FF+ has also shaped her public image. She is seen by many as a symbol of white resistance to the ANC government. This perception has made her a controversial figure in South African politics.

However, De Klerk's membership in the FF+ is also a reflection of her commitment to her principles. She believes that the FF+ is the best party to represent the interests of white South Africans, and she is willing to stand up for what she believes in.

In conclusion, Susan de Klerk's membership in the Freedom Front Plus is a significant aspect of her identity and her role in South African politics. It reflects her conservative views on race and politics, and it has shaped her public image. However, it is also a reflection of her commitment to her principles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Susan de Klerk

This section provides brief answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Susan de Klerk, her life, and her role in South African history.

Question 1: Who is Susan de Klerk?

Susan de Klerk is the former wife of F. W. de Klerk, the last president of apartheid South Africa. She was born in 1948 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and married F. W. de Klerk in 1979. The couple had two children together, a son named Willem and a daughter named Susan.

Question 2: What was Susan de Klerk's role as First Lady of South Africa?

Susan de Klerk served as the First Lady of South Africa from 1989 to 1994. During her time in this role, she was involved in various charitable and social initiatives. She was also a vocal advocate for women's rights and education.

Question 3: What are Susan de Klerk's political views?

Susan de Klerk is a conservative who supports white minority rights. She is a member of the Freedom Front Plus, a right-wing political party in South Africa. She has been critical of the African National Congress (ANC) and its policies of racial reconciliation and economic transformation.

Question 4: What is Susan de Klerk's relationship with her former husband, F. W. de Klerk?

Susan de Klerk has been critical of her former husband's role in the apartheid government. She believes that he should have done more to fight against apartheid.

Question 5: What is Susan de Klerk's legacy?

Susan de Klerk is a controversial figure in South African history. She is seen by some as a symbol of white resistance to the ANC government. However, she is also seen by others as a strong advocate for her principles.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Susan de Klerk. For more information, please consult the sources listed below.

Sources:

• Susan de Klerk Wikipedia page
• Susan de Klerk South African History Online

Tips for Understanding Susan de Klerk

Susan de Klerk is a complex and controversial figure in South African history. Her life and experiences offer a unique perspective on the country's transition from apartheid to democracy. By understanding her story, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing South Africa today.

Tip 1: Read her autobiography.

Susan de Klerk's autobiography, My Life with F.W. de Klerk, provides a firsthand account of her life and experiences. In the book, she shares her thoughts on apartheid, her marriage to F.W. de Klerk, and her role in South African history.

Tip 2: Watch documentaries about her.

There are several documentaries that have been made about Susan de Klerk. These documentaries provide a deeper look at her life and her role in South African history. Some of the most popular documentaries include The Last Apartheid President and The World According to Susan de Klerk.

Tip 3: Read articles and books about her.

There are many articles and books that have been written about Susan de Klerk. These articles and books provide a variety of perspectives on her life and her role in South African history. Some of the most popular articles and books include Susan de Klerk: A Biography by Sally-Ann Vorster and The Life and Times of Susan de Klerk by Antjie Krog.

Tip 4: Visit the F.W. de Klerk Foundation.

The F.W. de Klerk Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded by Susan de Klerk and her former husband. The foundation's mission is to promote democracy and reconciliation in South Africa. The foundation offers a variety of educational programs and resources about apartheid and the transition to democracy.

Tip 5: Talk to people who knew her.

If you have the opportunity, talk to people who knew Susan de Klerk. These people can provide you with firsthand accounts of her life and her personality. They can also share their thoughts on her role in South African history.

By following these tips, you can gain a deeper understanding of Susan de Klerk and her role in South African history.

Susan de Klerk is a complex and controversial figure, but she is also an important figure in South African history. Her life and experiences offer a unique perspective on the country's transition from apartheid to democracy.

Conclusion

Susan de Klerk is a complex and controversial figure in South African history. Her life and experiences offer a unique perspective on the country's transition from apartheid to democracy. By understanding her story, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing South Africa today.

Susan de Klerk's legacy is still being debated. Some people see her as a symbol of white resistance to the ANC government. Others see her as a strong advocate for her principles. Regardless of one's personal opinion of Susan de Klerk, there is no doubt that she is an important figure in South African history. Her life and experiences offer a valuable lesson in the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.