By FW De Klerk, the last president of Apartheid South Africa and key actor in the country’s transition to democracy, has died aged 85.
News24 reported that the FW de Klerk Foundation’s spokesperson, Dave Steward confirmed his passing on Thursday.
“The former president died earlier this morning at his home in Fresnaye after his struggle against cancer. He was 85-years-old. He is survived by his wife Elita, two children Susan and Jan, and his grandchildren,” he was quoted as saying.
In March 2021, the ex-president was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. He was, however, said to be receiving immunotherapy for the illness.
De Klerk was the head of state from September 1989 until May 1994. He became one of the country’s two deputy presidents after the first multi-racial, democratic election in April 1994.
In 1993, the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to De Klerk and Nelson Mandela who became South Africa’s first democratically elected president the following year.
