Categories: NewsWorld News

South Africa’s Last White President FW de Klerk Dies At 85

FW de Klerk, South Africa’s last white president, died on Thursday aged 85, his foundation announced.

De Klerk and South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for leading the “miracle” transition from white rule in the country.

He died after a battle with cancer, his foundation said in a statement.

De Klerk had announced his diagnosis on his 85th birthday, on March 18 this year.

“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,” it said.

He is survived by his wife Elita, children Jan and Susan, and grandchildren.

“The family will, in due course, make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements,” it added.

He is most remembered for his famous speech delivered on February 2, 1990, announcing the lifting of a ban on the African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation movements.

In the same speech, he ordered the release from prison of anti-apartheid icon Mandela after 27 years in jail.

Born in the economic hub of Johannesburg, into a family of Afrikaners, a white ethnic group descended mainly from Dutch colonisers, his father was a leading apartheid senator who served briefly as interim president.

He studied law, before being elected to parliament as a member of the National Party that instituted apartheid.

De Klerk then held several ministerial positions before he became present in 1989, a position he held until he handed over the reigns to Mandela after the first democratic elections in 1994.

AFP

editor

Recent Posts

Real Estate Conference And Recognition Award 2025 Holds May 10 In Lagos 

The Real Estate Conference and Recognition Award 2025 will be held on Saturday, May 10,…

16 hours ago

Donald Trump Criticized Over AI-Generated Pope Image

US President Donald Trump posted on Friday a spoof picture of himself dressed as the…

17 hours ago

Anambra Government Prepares For President Tinubu’s Visit

The Anambra Government is preparing for President Tinubu's visit to the state.   Glamtush reports…

17 hours ago

Big Brother Naija Returns For 10th Season With Physical Auditions

Big Brother Naija has returned for its 10th season with physical auditions across Nigeria.   Glamtush…

22 hours ago

Spotify And FC Barcelona Tap Travis Scott For El Clásico Takeover 

Spotify and FC Barcelona are back with their sixth jersey takeover, and this one spotlights…

23 hours ago

Quitting Nigeria Will Not Absolve Meta Of Liabilities For Outcome Of Judicial Process – FCCPC

FCCPC has disclosed that Meta quitting Nigeria will not absolve it of its liabilities for…

2 days ago