Frederik Willem De Klerk: Tears as Former South African President Dies of Cancer

• Former South African president Frederik Willem De Klerk died in the early hours of Thursday, November 11
• De Klerk, aged 85, died peacefully at his home following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer, his foundation announced
• The deceased was the last South African president under apartheid and played a leading role in bringing white-minority rule to an end

Fresnaye, South Africa Frederik Willem De Klerk, a former president of South Africa and the last leader under the infamous apartheid regime, is dead.

Al Jazeera reported that the FW de Klerk Foundation, his foundation, made the announcement about the 85-year-old on Thursday, November 11.

The late former president was a key actor in South Africa’s transition to democracy. Together with Nelson Mandela, De Klerk oversaw the end of white-minority rule in the country.

Read also

Bassirou Diomaye Faye: List of 7 Africa’s youngest presidents, military leaders emerge

According to the foundation, he died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer.

The statement added that the family will soon make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements.

BBC reported that Frederik Willem de Klerk was born on March 18, 1936, in Johannesburg, into a line of Afrikaner National Party politicians. His father, Jan, had been a cabinet minister.

Tears and mourning as former Algerian president dies

Meanwhile, the Algerian presidency on Friday, September 17, reported that the country had lost a former president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Bouteflika's death came over two years after he stepped down from office following nationwide protest by the masses and the military after news of his plan to run for a fifth term broke.

A veteran of Algeria's war for independence, the former African leader held on to power in the nation for not less than finally resigning in 2019.

Read also

BREAKING: Bassirou Diomaye Faye Sworn in as Senegal's New President

Tanzanian President John Magufuli dies at age 61

In a similar sad development, John Magufuli, the president of Tanzania, in March died at the age of 61. His death was announced on Wednesday, March 17, by the vice president, Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Magufuli's death came five months after he won a second term in an election. Legit.ng notes that the late president attracted widespread criticism for his denial of the coronavirus pandemic.

The vice president announced Magufuli's death:

“We have lost our courageous leader, President John Magufuli, who has died from a heart illness."

Source: Legit.ng