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The Last Trek--A New Beginning: The Autobiography
The story of the man who released Nelson Mandela from imprisonment in 1990 and set in motion a chain of events which led to the first fully democratic elections in South African history. Here is the autobiography of the South African President who sacrificed his own power and prestige to make freedom possible.
412 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1998
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133 people want to read
About the author
F.W. de Klerk
1 book1 followerFrederik Willem de Klerk, often known as F. W. de Klerk, was the seventh and last State President of apartheid-era South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994. De Klerk was also leader of the National Party (which later became the New National Party) from February 1989 to September 1997.
De Klerk is best known for engineering the end of apartheid, South Africa's racial segregation policy, and supporting the transformation of South Africa into a multi-racial democracy by entering into the negotiations that resulted in all citizens, including the country's black majority, having equal voting and other rights. He shared the Prince of Asturias Awards in 1992 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with Nelson Mandela for his role in the ending of apartheid.
He was one of the Deputy Presidents of South Africa during the presidency of Nelson Mandela until 1996, the last white person to hold the position to date. In 1997, he retired from politics.
De Klerk is best known for engineering the end of apartheid, South Africa's racial segregation policy, and supporting the transformation of South Africa into a multi-racial democracy by entering into the negotiations that resulted in all citizens, including the country's black majority, having equal voting and other rights. He shared the Prince of Asturias Awards in 1992 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with Nelson Mandela for his role in the ending of apartheid.
He was one of the Deputy Presidents of South Africa during the presidency of Nelson Mandela until 1996, the last white person to hold the position to date. In 1997, he retired from politics.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 8, 2026
Mildly interesting but what you would expect
August 26, 2025
I bought this book after finishing both of Mandela’s memoirs. It wasn’t available on Kindle, but I felt compelled to read it nonetheless. I wanted to understand the other side of South Africa’s transition—how someone from the opposite end of the political spectrum saw the same history unfold.
De Klerk’s writing is thoughtful and honest. He reflects on growing up around the architects of apartheid and admits he once believed in its ideals. That kind of self-awareness matters. His views evolved over time, and he eventually played a key role in dismantling the very system he had inherited.
Although he remained a traditional conservative, De Klerk was progressive in his approach to transition. He freed Mandela, worked alongside him, and voiced concerns about minority representation in the new government. His perspective doesn’t oppose Mandela’s but rather adds to it.
Like Mandela’s books, this one had an impact on me too. It helped me understand a different side of the story and reminded me that people don’t have to think alike to work towards something better. De Klerk’s honesty, even when it challenged my own views, made me reflect on how valuable it is when those who disagree can still behave with civility and purpose. That kind of dialogue feels rare now, but reading this gave me hope that it’s still possible.
De Klerk’s writing is thoughtful and honest. He reflects on growing up around the architects of apartheid and admits he once believed in its ideals. That kind of self-awareness matters. His views evolved over time, and he eventually played a key role in dismantling the very system he had inherited.
Although he remained a traditional conservative, De Klerk was progressive in his approach to transition. He freed Mandela, worked alongside him, and voiced concerns about minority representation in the new government. His perspective doesn’t oppose Mandela’s but rather adds to it.
Like Mandela’s books, this one had an impact on me too. It helped me understand a different side of the story and reminded me that people don’t have to think alike to work towards something better. De Klerk’s honesty, even when it challenged my own views, made me reflect on how valuable it is when those who disagree can still behave with civility and purpose. That kind of dialogue feels rare now, but reading this gave me hope that it’s still possible.
April 6, 2012
A fantastic autobiography, de Klerk offers his life and accomplishments - with emphasis on the events between 1989 and 1994, with the fall of apartheid and the political shift in South Africa - with staunch honesty and as one review put, lucidity. Beginning with the early history of the Afrikaans language and people, he seeks to justify the complex sentiments of arguably South Africa's most misunderstood racial group through his own life. He also speaks candidly about a rocky relationship with Mandela and other ANC leaders, and his arguments against certain policies and actions are sound and well explained.
The only issue is that in some ways the book's conclusion is rather dated. It was published during Thabo Mbeki's presidency, and in the decade since then we now see a very different and, in terms of service delivery particularly in regards to health care, a much improved South Africa.
A fantastic book and one I'd recommend to anyone who is interested in the history and complexity of culture in South Africa.
The only issue is that in some ways the book's conclusion is rather dated. It was published during Thabo Mbeki's presidency, and in the decade since then we now see a very different and, in terms of service delivery particularly in regards to health care, a much improved South Africa.
A fantastic book and one I'd recommend to anyone who is interested in the history and complexity of culture in South Africa.
January 29, 2026
As a result of reading The Last Trek – A New Beginning by F.W. de Klerk my image of Nelson Mandela is slightly tarnished and my image of F.W. de Klerk is considerably enhanced; although de Klerk did warn me that he can be accused of “self-serving rationalisation.”
My long-standing suspicion was that de Klerk “gave up” more than Mandela - while acknowledging that Mandela had a lot more ground to “make up.” Once de Klerk made the decision, in 1987, to strive to dismantle apartheid he never shirked the task – despite all the problems the dismantling entailed – all the meetings – many before Mandela’s release in 1990, then the election of 1994 and his years as “opposition” leader. Drafting new legislation to satisfy primarily the ANC, led by Mandela. Initially “the government had the power and authority and the ANC had the numbers.” But there were also other groups within the rainbow nation, each with their own agenda. There was fall-out from the several massacres (e.g. Boipatong, Basho): who inspired them? To what degree was there government involvement? A government Third Force? Were there legitimate enquiries into and reports on the massacres? There was the question of indemnity: ANC participants were granted it early; not so those in the government forces. De Klerk worked through it all and I was surprised that he could tell the story in such a readable way. My interest never flagged.
There was conflict between de Klerk and Mandela. Comparing de Klerk’s account with Mandela’s in The Long Walk To Freedom, there are differences. Aspects that were significant to one leader were not always mentioned by the other leader. Undoubtedly de Klerk suffered abuse, in public, from Mandela but despite this de Klerk acknowledges Mandela’s ability as a statesman and leader.
Reading The Last Trek - The New Beginning I warmed to de Klerk. For someone with the Laager mentality, raised on the Afrikaner history, and the self- belief engendered by that history, it was a massive personal turn-around for him to end white rule in South Africa. He was unpopular with many Afrikaners and seen as an instrument of apartheid by many non-whites. Displaying such personal discipline throughout this process, I was surprised he ended his marriage as he did.
Humour is rare so this picture stands out: de Klerk’s staff were working on one of his important speeches in a room where, on a mantle-piece “there were small brass busts of South Africa’s first six prime ministers. (The staff) politely turned the faces of the busts to the wall.”
De Klerk retired from politics in 1997. He was not happy with the future power sharing arrangements Mandela was insisting upon at the time. He questioned the impartiality of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (I will have to read The Country of My Skull again).
The Last Trek –The New Beginning was first published in 1999. De Klerk died in 2021.
In the euphoria of Mandela and the emerging new South Africa I was not aware of the extent of de Klerk’s role but I have now read: “since the National Party’s reform policies began – at first tentatively (under P.W. Botha), and later with increasing boldness and vigour (under de Klerk) – we had been a part of the solution, and not part of the problem. The new South Africa was just as much our creation as it was the creation of any other party.”
Note: The Country of My Skull is an account of the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. P.W. Botha preceded de Klerk as leader of the National Party. In the process of change in South Africa it is estimated 22,000 people died.
My long-standing suspicion was that de Klerk “gave up” more than Mandela - while acknowledging that Mandela had a lot more ground to “make up.” Once de Klerk made the decision, in 1987, to strive to dismantle apartheid he never shirked the task – despite all the problems the dismantling entailed – all the meetings – many before Mandela’s release in 1990, then the election of 1994 and his years as “opposition” leader. Drafting new legislation to satisfy primarily the ANC, led by Mandela. Initially “the government had the power and authority and the ANC had the numbers.” But there were also other groups within the rainbow nation, each with their own agenda. There was fall-out from the several massacres (e.g. Boipatong, Basho): who inspired them? To what degree was there government involvement? A government Third Force? Were there legitimate enquiries into and reports on the massacres? There was the question of indemnity: ANC participants were granted it early; not so those in the government forces. De Klerk worked through it all and I was surprised that he could tell the story in such a readable way. My interest never flagged.
There was conflict between de Klerk and Mandela. Comparing de Klerk’s account with Mandela’s in The Long Walk To Freedom, there are differences. Aspects that were significant to one leader were not always mentioned by the other leader. Undoubtedly de Klerk suffered abuse, in public, from Mandela but despite this de Klerk acknowledges Mandela’s ability as a statesman and leader.
Reading The Last Trek - The New Beginning I warmed to de Klerk. For someone with the Laager mentality, raised on the Afrikaner history, and the self- belief engendered by that history, it was a massive personal turn-around for him to end white rule in South Africa. He was unpopular with many Afrikaners and seen as an instrument of apartheid by many non-whites. Displaying such personal discipline throughout this process, I was surprised he ended his marriage as he did.
Humour is rare so this picture stands out: de Klerk’s staff were working on one of his important speeches in a room where, on a mantle-piece “there were small brass busts of South Africa’s first six prime ministers. (The staff) politely turned the faces of the busts to the wall.”
De Klerk retired from politics in 1997. He was not happy with the future power sharing arrangements Mandela was insisting upon at the time. He questioned the impartiality of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (I will have to read The Country of My Skull again).
The Last Trek –The New Beginning was first published in 1999. De Klerk died in 2021.
In the euphoria of Mandela and the emerging new South Africa I was not aware of the extent of de Klerk’s role but I have now read: “since the National Party’s reform policies began – at first tentatively (under P.W. Botha), and later with increasing boldness and vigour (under de Klerk) – we had been a part of the solution, and not part of the problem. The new South Africa was just as much our creation as it was the creation of any other party.”
Note: The Country of My Skull is an account of the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. P.W. Botha preceded de Klerk as leader of the National Party. In the process of change in South Africa it is estimated 22,000 people died.
August 20, 2022
I am a little surprised that this book has less than 100 ratings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It tells a detailed chronological story of the major events during the apartheid era trough the eyes of an Afrikaner. A must read for anyone interested in the troubled history of South Africa.
November 27, 2020
Didnt finish
March 19, 2024
This book tells the story of FW De Klerk, the last president of pre-democratic South Africa.
What is told in this book is:
His childhood, being a backbencher in the NP, his rise in the party and removal of PW Botha, his values, principles and how they changed, the reform process that he launched in 1990 to end Apartheid, reforming the NP itself, the run-up to and the 1994 election itself and its aftermath, and lastly the TRC and his participation in it.
A good book that tells the life of one of democratic South Africa's founding fathers. Can recommend.
P.S. If you want to buy a new copy, you'll have to buy it directly from the FW De Klerk Foundation
What is told in this book is:
His childhood, being a backbencher in the NP, his rise in the party and removal of PW Botha, his values, principles and how they changed, the reform process that he launched in 1990 to end Apartheid, reforming the NP itself, the run-up to and the 1994 election itself and its aftermath, and lastly the TRC and his participation in it.
A good book that tells the life of one of democratic South Africa's founding fathers. Can recommend.
P.S. If you want to buy a new copy, you'll have to buy it directly from the FW De Klerk Foundation
June 17, 2013
A fascinating insight into the decision, determination and patient endurance to see through a transition process in a highly volatile climate. In contrast to 'The Long Walk To Freedom' De Klerk's retelling of events does give off a very believable sense that '...Mandela had shown a side of his character which indicated that he was, in fact, far more bitter than he had until then revealed.' Despite all the recognition and admiration Mandela receives across the globe he was not solely responsible for the peaceful transition to democracy in South Africa. De Klerk is an under-appreciated and misunderstood leader. This autobiography is indeed penetratingly written and deserves to be recognised as a great piece of literature on modern South African history.
November 13, 2014
An excellent (if not essential) counterbalance to A Long Walk To Freedom. Makes you want to seek out a truly impartial view on NM/FWDK and recent SA history. This feels like an honest and balanced view/analysis though.
June 9, 2014
Hmmm... apparently FW is going to miss his "straler" and was quite dissapointed with the low black vote for the NP in 1994. Ho-hum.
August 23, 2018
Good look at the dismantle of the apartheid system in South Africa by the then leader of the National Party, FW de Klerk. Insights and a different look of the ANC and Nelson Mandela
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews