On leadership

Abstract

To paraphrase Shakespeare: Some men are born to leadership. Others achieve leadership. And others have leadership thrust upon them. In my case, it could be said that, in part, I was born into a long tradition of political service and leadership. My father was a senior cabinet minister and President of the Senate. My uncle, J. G. Strydom, was Prime Minister. In other respects, I achieved leadership. I served long apprenticeships as a student leader; as a leader in various Afrikaans cultural organisations; as a back-bencher; as a cabinet minister and as a senior office-bearer in my party.