Sir – I was surprised that the local media ignored the visit to Oxford on Tuesday, May 17, of the former President of South Africa, Mr F.W. de Klerk.
He was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela and it is accepted that he was instrumental in avoiding civil war in South Africa by his wish to end apartheid and the crucial role he played in its abolition.
De Klerk gave a masterful speech at Rhodes House to a mainly student audience to which access was not restricted.
When Nelson Mandela visited Oxford to receive the freedom of our city it was front-page news for days before and afterwards. Large crowds gathered outside the Town Hall to cheer him.
Admittedly, Mandela was deservedly a person of world renown whom everyone wanted to see. However, it was de Klerk who freed Mandela from prison, released all political prisoners and worked with Mandela to restore South Africa to a peaceful, just and democratic nation.
Ann Spokes Symonds, Oxford
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