Dawie de Villiers - My Lewensreis: Springbok, Politikus, Diplomaat - Chris Schoeman

Springbok captain, minister of the church, ambassador, cabinet minister, world traveller, philosopher, family man, art lover. This was, and is, the world of Dr Dawie de Villiers, one of South Africa's icons who, for many decades, served his country with great distinction in multiple fields. This gripping life story takes readers on a remarkable journey through South Africa's sport and political history. De Villiers's youth as member of a politically orientated family, his rapid rise from his beloved Stellenbosch Rugby Club to the Springbok rugby team, his struggle with sports injuries and the bittersweet joys of being a Springbok are but a few of the aspects that guarantee a rich and rewarding reading experience. He tells about developing an interest in politics as a keen observer of, among others, the inspirational cleric Dr Beyers Naud, and as a student of the well-known philosopher Prof. Johan Degenaar. The spotlight also shines on his exciting life as ambassador in London with his wife Suzaan, his time as cabinet minister under P.W. Botha, F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, the CODESA negotiations and, finally, as vice chairman of the UN's World Tourism Organisation when he was based in Madrid, a period during which he travelled extensively. In spite of a life filled with exceptional achievements over a long period of time, he has always remained the popular and humble Dawie to anyone who crossed his path.