By: Staff Reporter
The last Apartheid President FW De Klerk died on Thursday at the age of 85 years.
The news of his passing was confirmed by the FW De Klerk Foundation in a statement.
“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,” the Foundation said.
The foundation said De Klerk was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs in March 2021. He was receiving immunotherapy for the illness.
De Klerk is survived by his wife Elita, his children Jan and Susan, and his grandchildren. The Foundation added that the family will, in due course announce funeral arrangements.
De Klerk was the South African President under the Apartheid regime from September 1989 until May 1994. He won a noble peace prize alongside former President Nelson Mandela for bringing an end to the oppressive system.
