Jackson Likens De Klerk to Lincoln, Declares Both Rose Above Tradition
The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday compared South African President Frederik W. de Klerk to Abraham Lincoln on the 181st anniversary of the birth of the Great Emancipator.
The U.S. civil rights leader praised De Klerk for freeing Nelson R. Mandela from prison and legalizing the African National Congress.
“This was a courageous step for President De Klerk,” Jackson told reporters at the Cape Town Press Club.
He compared De Klerk to Lincoln, who as President moved to free Americans slaves in 1863 with the Emancipation Proclamation and sought to preserve the Union in the Civil War.
“Both men rose above history and tradition at the risk of losing themselves,” Jackson said in remarks coinciding with the anniversary of Lincoln’s birth on Feb. 12, 1809.
Jackson’s weeklong visit to South Africa has been overshadowed by Sunday’s release of Mandela after 27 years in jail for plotting to overthrow white rule. He met Mandela briefly Sunday evening, but most local newspapers ignored the encounter and Jackson was given little time with the African National Congress leader.
Jackson met De Klerk on Monday and the encounter was equally brief. “It was just a courtesy call,” a presidential spokesman said.
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