The biography/ manuscript, "LIVING ON THE POLITICAL EDGE - VILLAIN OR MAVERICK?" by Gerda Bekker is about the political roller-coaster experiences of Dr Hennie Bekker. It covers a period of 28 years of Dr Bekker's life as Parliamentarian (National Assembly and Legislature/Provincial Council) in South Africa. The biography contains about 300 A4 pages and about 35 pages of Annexures/attachments: The remarkable political experiences of Hennie Bekker during the transitional period of South Africa from an "Apartheid State" to a Democracy, dominated firstly by the National party and later on by the African National Congress and its alliance partners, could be a revelation to many readers. Hennie Bekker as a liberal Afrikaner, yet as a Parliamentarian representing the erstwhile National Party of PW Botha and FW de Klerk, endeavoured to achieve change and reform from within the dominant white political Party. When failing to achieve real change, he joined the traditional/nationalist freedom movement of the Inkatha Freedom Party of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, an almost dominant Zulu political formation, but with principles and policies economically much more viable than those of the ANC. This change of political allegiance was made after realising that the so called white politics was outdated and the new ANC rulers had Marxist/Communist doctrines with which he could not identify. This political move away from the Apartheid scenario obviously caused a lot of trauma and the Bekker family faced much abuse and even life threatening onslaughts as a result thereof. Hennie Bekker played an important role in bringing the Inkatha Freedom Party back into the Constitutional process of South Africa and particularly its participation in the first democratic election in 1994. The last minute turn-around of Inkatha surely saved South Africa from a bloody civil war which could have had disastrous consequences. Hennie's defection from "White Politics" to "Black Politics" had however been met with scorn and insults from many supporters of the "Apartheid Doctrine" and he was regarded as a "sell-out" and traitor of the White people of South Africa. His important role in conciliation and achieving greater understanding between the different races and even between the governing African National Congress and his political Party, the Inkatha Freedom Party became legendary and appreciated. The book is a 'unique' type of biography written from the perspective of a wife who was also involved in politics and could hopefully give a different perspective on stereo typing of the Afrikaner. It provides an in-depth kaleidoscope of various political parties, competing - but also sometimes acting in unison. The biography attempts to break away from the serious hard nosed style of politics; also capturing the many light-hearted and almost enjoyable experiences of a politician over such a lengthy and fruitful career. Inkatha was formed mainly as a cultural movement but suddenly had to compete in the political milieu of modern politics. The biography also epitomises the dangers and risks for outspoken and principled politicians! Presently Dr Bekker's integrity is unchallenged and he commands respect amongst all the political parties in South Africa. The villain of White politics, have surely become the maverick, or hero of the new political dispensation in South Africa! For that reason, the very appropriate title of the biography about Hennie Bekker, "LIVING ON THE POLITICAL EDGE - VILLAIN OR MAVERICK?" GERDA BEKKER
About the Author: Dr Hennie Bekker is an Internationally recognised expert on Accountability and on Corporate Governance. His Ph.D thesis on Accountability of the Public Sector with specific reference to South African State Departments received international acclaim and recognition. Hennie Bekker has also distinguished himself as a speaker of note on the subject of Accountability and Corporate Governance in both South Africa and Australia, where he frequently appears as Key Note speaker, or guest lecturer. In his capacity as main consultant of Acc&CorpGov Consult, Dr Bekker is available to address Corporate Boards and Directors, as well as Public Sector entities of State and Local Government.