Former South African President FW de Klerk Dies at 85
Former South African President FW de Klerk has died at the age of 85.
De Klerk passed away on Thursday morning after losing the battle against cancer.
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Dave Steward confirmed his death.
“It is with the deepest sadness that the FW de Klerk Foundation must announce that former president FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer. He was 85-years-old.”
De Klerk is survived by his wife Elita, two children Susan and Jan, and his grandchildren.
De Klerk was the last president of Apartheid South Africa and key actor in country’s transition to democracy.
In 1993 De Klerk and late former President Nelson Mandela jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in South Africa’s “miracle” transition to democracy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce details of De Klerk’s state funeral in due course.
