South Africa Last White President, FW Dr Klerk Is Dead

The death of FW de Klerk, South Africa’s last white president, was on Thursday announced by his foundation.

Naija News reports that FW Dr Klerk died aged 85 at his home.

“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 again,” the statement said.

De Klerk was the last white man to rule South Africa from 1989 to 1994.

The late president facilitated the release of Nelson Mandela from prison before the latter contested and won the South African presidential election.

De Klerk was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and studied at Potscheftroom University before pursuing a career in law.

He was elected to parliament and sat in the white minority parliament of Pieter Willem Botha, after joining the National Party.

After Botha suffered a stroke and resigned from the National party leadership, De Klerk took over as party leader in February 1989.

He was the head of state from September 1989.

On February 2, 1990, de Klerk delivered a speech at the opening session of the parliament of South Africa, where he announced the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela.