FW de Klerk Passes Away: South Africa’s Last White President, He Freed Nelson Mandela

New Delhi: FW de Klerk, South Africa’s last white president who oversaw the end of apartheid, has died in Cape Town aged 85.

He had been diagnosed with cancer this year.

In 1990 he announced the release of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. He shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for the transition from white rule in the country.

“Former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement.

“He is survived by his wife Elita, his children Jan and Susan and his grandchildren,” it said.

After becoming President in 1989, he allowed anti-apartheid protests.

On February 2, 1990, five months after his election, in a speech to Parliament de Klerk announced that the ANC’s imprisoned leader Mandela would be released from jail after 27 years.

Nine days later, Mandela walked free from Victor Verster prison.