Theuns Eloff


Theuns Eloff is a South African, who is the Current Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, ex-Rector and a Reconciler.

Beginnings

He was born on 17 May 1955 in Potchefstroom. He completed his school career at Potchefstroom Gimnasium. Eloff completed his undergraduate studies in Law and Theology at Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and later a PhD at Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education He was a Pastor in the Reformed Church of South Africa.

Reconciler of the democratic process

The Dakar Conference was held on 9 to 12 July 1987. It occurred in Dakar, Senegal. It discussed strategies for bringing change in South Africa regarding: national coherence, Government structures and the economy with the African National Congress. The ANC was still banned by South African Government in 1987. Eloff was part of the Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa delegation.

Vice–Chancellor of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education

He was the Vice-Chancellor of the university from 2002 to 2014, and his successor is Kgwadi, N.D. In 2004 the university merged with 3 campuses, one each at Vereeniging, Potchefstroom and Mafikeng. Mafikeng became late known as Mahikeng. It is now called North-West University It was Eloff who had to execute this merger.

Executive Director FW de Klerk Foundation

Eloff was appointed as Executive Director of the Foundation on 1 July 2016. FW de Klerk is a past president of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. De Klerk founded the Foundation to:
He is married to Suzette van der Westhuizen. He has two daughters and three granddaughters.

Award

Honorary Doctorate of Law, by the London South Bank University, UK in 2008.

Book

He wrote a book called Wat Nou, Suid-Afrika?", later translated as Turning Point about how to create the society that we want. He based this on what he has learned through the Dakar Conference to being the Vice–Chancellor up to being involved in the FW de Klerk Foundation.