The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
THE last leader of Apartheid South Africa, Mr Frederik Willem De Klerk has died.
He passed on at his home in Cape Town, after losing battle to cancer.
He was 85.
Mr De Clerk was the last leader of apartheid South Africa and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside the South African first black president, the late Mr Nelson Mandela.
His death was confirmed by the spokesperson of FW De Klerk Foundation, Mr Dave Steward, in a statement on Thursday.
“The former president died earlier this morning at his home in Fresnaye after his struggle against cancer. He was 85. He is survived by his wife Elita, two children Susan and Jan, and grandchildren,” Steward said.
Mr De Klerk was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, in March 2021 and was receiving immunotherapy.
De Klerk served as president in the Apartheid government from 1989 to 1994.
In February 1990 he announced the unbanning of ANC, SACP, PAC and other liberations movements, and also released anti-apartheid leader Mr Mandela from prison in 1990.
This led to a multi-party negotiation clearing way for democratic elections.
He had succeeded Mr Pick. W. Botha in September 1989 after his predecessor suffered a stroke.
Mr De Clerk was to become one of the two vice presidents after the multi-racial and democratic election, which brought Mandela to the helm in 1994.
He and Mr Mandela were jointly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for their work to end the apartheid regime in South Africa, and for laying the foundation of a new democratic South Africa.
