Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert was a true patriot and Son of the Soil who had a passionate love for our country and closely followed the trials of the new democratic order that he helped to foster.

He will always be remembered as a progressive voice for change during the dying days of Apartheid, someone who possessed the foresight and courage to seize the moment in bringing together members of the old regime and exiled liberation movements in the historic Dakar meeting.

This meeting is widely recognized as being instrumental in fostering the conditions for our negotiated transition to occur.

All South Africans owe him a debt of gratitude for the principled stance that he took in all of the various positions he occupied throughout his life.

On a more personal level, ‘Van’ was my old friend who was always willing to share his political advice and experiences with me.

He loved to debate with me about his pet topic – Afrikaner versus Afrikaan - eventually he wrote a very good book about it.

Van was a walking encyclopedia – I often relied on him for quality advice.

But more than all of this, he was very firm on principles and really stood by what he believed in.

His voice and presence will surely be missed by all of us in a new democratic South Africa.

The ID would also like to extend its deepest condolences to the Van Zyl Slabbert family and friends during this difficult period.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I thank you.


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