Spiral Dynamics in Action

5Back to the Future – The South African Crucible Revisited

Dr Rica Viljoen

In 1990, F.W. de Klerk, the South African president at the time, addressed the world and announced the demolishment of the racial division systems that were in place within South Africa. This was the beginning of The New South Africa. This was done from a YELLOW value system with the bigger picture of the country's health and survival of all people in mind. Naturally, this caused issues within the country as people were operating from different value systems.

Beck was part of the masses that gathered in front of parliament in Cape Town that day. He was probably the only person there who knew what was going to happen. Beck remembers clearly how the crowd pushed him against the railings. The energy and tension were tangible. Beck could hardly breathe when the black Mercedes Benz with F.W. de Klerk in the back seat turned around the corner. For a split second, he caught the pre-occupied eyes of the president. They both knew that the events of that day would change South Africa forever. De Klerk indicated thumbs up to Beck. With a deep sense of understanding and support, Beck acknowledged the greeting in a similar manner.

History was in the making. Madiba was to be released from prison.

Introduction

Numerous times during the late 1980s and early 1990s Beck flew back and forth between South Africa (SA) and his home in Texas. In all, he made an amazing 63 visits. They were largely privately sponsored. He ...