Constand Viljoen - Political Career

Political Career

Viljoen is credited by some with kick-starting the Afrikaners' self-examination that lead to their acceptance of universal suffrage and free elections, with his famous speech at the Broederbond annual assembly in Voortrekkerhoogte, saying of the black South Africans in his army - As hulle kan veg vir Suid-Afrika, kan hulle stem vir Suid-Afrika! ("If they can fight for South Africa, then they can vote for South Africa!").

In 1993 Viljoen and fellow retired generals formed the Afrikaner Volksfront (Afrikaner People's Front), an umbrella body for right-wing groups. However, Viljoen reportedly had strained relationships with the leaders of other right-wing parties.

Read more about this topic:  Constand Viljoen

Famous quotes containing the words political and/or career:

    Why, Sir, most schemes of political improvement are very laughable things.
    Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)

    I’ve been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had their career.
    Martina Navratilova (b. 1956)