[imagesource: Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24]

Over the past couple of weeks, it has been impossible to ignore the issue of racial inequality, as protesters gathered globally to decry the systemic racism that permeates most societies.

The results of the protest action have been far-reaching, igniting conversations about police brutality, and state responses to the crisis.

To find a way forward, Jonathan Granoff, the President of the Global Security Institute, has partnered with the American Bar Association (ABA) to conduct talks with figures seen as agents of change over the years.

One of the people that he invited to join the conversation about “rule of law, constitutional democracy, minority rights, social change, racism, and global security”, reports IOL, was former president, and vice-president during the Mandela presidency, FW de Klerk.

De Klerk is a divisive figure. On the one hand, some see him as having played a key role in the abolishment of apartheid. On the other, he has been known to show a staggering lack of basic historical knowledge, refusing earlier this year to admit that apartheid was a crime against humanity.

He later retracted this statement.

So, it’s not surprising, that when activists learned of his plans to participate in discussions on race and the oppression of minority groups, they were not pleased.

Among those who objected was Lukhanyo Calata, a journalist who is the son of former freedom fighter Fort Calata of the Cradock Four, who were assassinated in 1985.

Others who reportedly objected included advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, who was a commissioner for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

That’s a powerful group of people.

De Klerk was promptly removed from the talks and will not be addressing the US gathering.

Calata said he was over the moon that ABA listened to the volley of objections.

“We are of course ecstatic that we were able to influence the decision of the association. We hope also that other organisations around the world will follow the example of the ABA and reconsider their decisions to have De Klerk address them on issues about rule of law and constitutionalism,” he said.

Calata added that De Klerk has a case to answer for his alleged role in the crimes of the apartheid government.

The FW de Klerk Foundation says that the allegation that de Klerk played a part in apartheid crimes “is baseless”.

“These activists have once again made outrageous and unfounded allegations against Mr De Klerk. The role that FW de Klerk played in initiating and co-directing South Africa’s transition to non-racial democracy is a matter of historic fact – and was confirmed by Nelson Mandela,” the statement read.

Either way, he has been bounced, which will provoke differing reactions across the political spectrum, especially when one considers his initial statement regarding apartheid earlier this year.

[source:iol]