Marthinus van Schalkwyk is born

Marthinus van Schalkwyk leader of the New National Party was born on 10 November 1959. He replaced FW de Klerk as leader of the National Party in 1997 and later changed the name of the party to New National Party. Van Schalkwyk became controversial for forming alliances with other parties and later dissolving the alliance. Under his leadership, the party support continued to decline. Few months after the 2004 general elections announced that his party will disband in 2005 and he would join the African National Congress. He is currently serving as the Minister for Environmental Affairs and Tourism.