Former South African President Dies at 85

South Africa’s former president, Frederik Willem de Klerk, who was the last apartheid president has died in Cape Town according to a statement from his foundation today.

“Former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” read a statement. De Klerk was 85 years old.

Frederik Willem de Klerk

De Klerk was president from 1989 to 1994 and handed over to Nelson Mandela after he oversaw the first non-racial election which led the African National Congress to victory. De Klerk then served as deputy president in Mandela’s ANC-led coalition, the Government of National Unity, until 1996. He also won the nobel peace prize in 1993 which he shared with Nelson Mandela.

De Klerk is survived by his wife Elita, children and grandchildren.

Written by BoomRadioNG