FW de Klerk Foundation says it does not attack governments after Van der Rheede exit

The FW de Klerk Foundation says it is not a platform to attack governments, nor is it a platform to "lobby for certain groups internationally." That follows the departure of its executive director, Christo van der Rheede, after he called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision to impose visa restrictions on a select group of South Africans "a profound strategic blunder" those risks handing the ANC an election gift. In an interview with Biznews, the foundation's director, Coetzee Bester, said he had a very good working relationship with Van der Rheede and that the resignation came as a bit of a shock to the board. He described the split as a difference in methodology rather than policy. Bester said the foundation will not address many international positions because they are not its objective, and it does not try to create or break leaders. It focuses on reconciliation and peace globally, with a very strong stance on nuclear weapons, and on constitutional reform and maintenance at home, so that the constitution is known, used and respected. Bester said the board will work on a new strategy for the foundation, and the finished plan will be announced on 2 February, the anniversary of former President De Klerk’s unbanning of the ANC. A new executive director will only be sough after that. – Linda van Tilburg