The Rev. Allan Hendrickse steps down as a leader of the Labour Party

The Rev. Allan Hendrickse, former minister in President P.W. Botha's cabinet, stepped down after fourteen years as leader of the Labour Party. He later joined the African National Congress (ANC) and was appointed as an ANC senator in the upper house of the new democratic Parliament. Hendrickse is remembered for his contribution to the struggle against apartheid and for the positive role he played in the transition to democracy, especially for his defiance of the Separate Amenities Act when he swam at a beach reserved for Whites, though he later apologised for his actions as result of an attack on the national television by State President P.W. Botha. He was awarded the Order of the Baobab (Silver Class) in 2004. Hendrickse died of a heart attack at the age 77 on 16 March 2005.