Former president FW de Klerk passed away in the wee hours of Thursday, a statement from his foundation confirmed.
FW de Klerk dies: What’s the cause of death?
The 85-year-old died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye, one of Cape Town’s most affluent suburbs, “following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer.”
This type of cancer is a hostile tumour caused by the gradual inhalation of asbestos fibres and usually forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart, according to asbestos.com.
“Mr De Klerk was 85 years old. He is survived by his wife Elita, his children Jan and Susan and his grandchildren,” the statement from the FW de Klerk Foundation read.
De Klerk’s health has been deteriorating
News of the former president’s passing comes five months after speculation grew on his deteriorating health. At the time, social media was abuzz with rumours that the 85-year-old was on the verge of death. However, the foundation, speaking exclusively to Swisher Post News, rubbished the claims as ‘fake news’.
“There have been extensive media reports that Mr De Klerk’s health “is rapidly deteriorating”. This is not so. There has been no discernible deterioration in his health since he was diagnosed in March with mesothelioma – a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. He is now considering the continuation of the course of immunotherapy that he has been following for the past two months,” the statement read.
A biography on De Klerk
De Klerk has, for the most part, been a polarising figure in South African politics. Born on 18 March 1936 as Frederik Willem de Klerk, the Johannesburg native always had a knack for politics.
In 1958, he received an honours degree in law from the North West University (formerly known as Potchefstroom University) and garnered a reputation providing legal services in Vereeniging.
By 1972, De Klerk would follow in the footsteps of his father, Jan, and join Parliament as a member of the National Party (NP).
Working under the oppressive ruling party that commissioned the apartheid system, De Klerk served in these portfolios:
- mines and energy affairs (1979–82);
- internal affairs (1982–85); and
- national education and planning (1984–89)
De Klerk rise to prominence in these portfolios gave him a great enough chance to defeat PW Botha in his attempt to win re-election and, in 1989, he became South Africa last apartheid leader.
Faced with mounting pressure from international superpowers, De Klerk vowed to speed up reform processes and ultimately, together with former president Nelson Mandela, the 85-year-old oversaw a historical transition of power where South Africa moved from an oppressive state to a democracy without civil war.
Still, De Klerk’s association to the NP was enough culpability to lose trust in South Africans of colour. The 85-year-old died serving on the boards of his foundation as well as the Global Leadership Foundation.