Colin Wells Eglin (14 April 1925 – 29 November 2013)[1] was a South African politician best known for having served as national leader of the opposition from 1977–79 and 1986–87.

Described by Nelson Mandela as "one of the architects of (South Africa's) democracy", Eglin played a leading role in the drafting of the country's post-apartheid constitution.

[5] He interrupted his studies in 1943 during World War II to join the South African Army.

He took part in the South African assault on Monte Sole, after which the Allies broke through to the plains of Italy.

He graduated from the University of Cape Town with a BSc degree in quantity surveying in 1946.

Eglin was elected leader after Schwarz agreed not to stand for the leadership and was appointed Chairman of the National Executive.

He was replaced as leader by Frederik van Zyl Slabbert in 1979, when Eglin became Shadow Foreign Minister, a post he would hold until 1986.