Keeping Extremist Right-Wingers at Bay : South Africa’s De Klerk shows himself again to be a man of many small steps

South Africa now stands ready to shed all remnants of its dubious distinction as a nation regarded by many worldwide as a pariah state. With his wise--and pragmatic--proposal that South Africa repeal its racist laws that form the foundation of apartheid, President Frederik W. de Klerk is acknowledging political reality: 5 million whites should not--and cannot--keep down the 30 million-strong black majority restive for fundamental change.

De Klerk, in an address to Parliament Friday, proposed that South Africa repeal the Group Areas Act and the Land Acts, while modifying the Population Registration Act in advance of its abolition. If those laws fall, only one remaining condition established by Congress for dropping U.S. economic sanctions against Pretoria (the release of political prisoners) remains unaddressed. Government and African National Congress leaders believe that condition will be met by the end of April.

In proposing that South Africa free itself of laws that require segregated housing, restrict black ownership of land and require all citizens to be registered by race, many here in the U.S. might think that De Klerk’s basic work is done. After all, his National Party still controls Parliament; the actual repeal of apartheid laws is a likely fait accompli.

Yet the polarized reactions to De Klerk’s announcement prove that the long-term political task ahead of him is anything but easily accomplished. At his recommendation to abolish apartheid l16352182205442402391952981090multiracial interim government, although he does support a multi-party conference to prepare to negotiate a new constitution.

That step is just a small one; but De Klerk has shown himself to be a man of many small steps. As long as they continue to be in the right direction, every step, however cautious, deserves encouragement. Careful and deliberate moves would indeed seem prudent for a man who seeks to keep extremist right-wingers at bay while continuing to make progress with the black majority of South Africans, who are, quite understandably, weary of being told to be patient for the chance to exercise their inherent right to self-determination. It is a political tightrope act, but one in which De Klerk must succeed, for himself and for South Africa.