FRIDAY, 2.30PM
MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, the leading contender to replace outgoing National Party leader FW de Klerk, was a paid agent of military intelligence during his student years at Rand Afrikaans University in the 1980s.
Van Schalkwyk was president of Afrikaans student organisation Jeugkrag (Youth Power), where his salary was paid from covert SA Defence Force funds. And Van Schalkwyk lied to his Jeugkrag colleagues about the source of his salary and the organisation’s financing.
Van Schalkwyk on Thursday confirmed he had received covert funding for both Jeugkrag and himself, saying he is not ashamed of it. “This is an old story. I am very proud of what we did. Those were not normal circumstances … We pushed hard for the African National Congress to be unbanned,” he said.
Earlier this week, FW de Klerk, in announcing his resignation as NP leader, said: “It is my hope that my retirement will be seen for what it is: the last remaining high-profile link with the old National Party and its so-called baggage … a rejuvenation and a new leadership which does not have this historical bond with the NP.”
FRIDAY, 8.00AM
MAVERICK former National Party minister Pik Botha has urged the party to choose a black leader. “I would prefer, if at all possible, for a black leader to be elected right now as leader of the party. That would be prize number one.” But Botha then added: “I’m doubtful whether at the present moment we have a sufficent number of blacks who would qualify for the job.”
Outgoing leader FW De Klerk was quick to come against the suggestion. “This would essentially be a racist approach. If you are a nonracial party, you should not manipulate your affairs on the basis of race.”
De Klerk has also opposed suggestions from several leading NP officials that the party should return to the Government of National Unity which it quit last year.
Gauteng leader Sam De Beer and KwaZulu Natal leader Danie Schutte both announced their candidature on Thursday, joining Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the party’s executive director.