South Africa has declared a time phase of four days of national mourning after the death of its last white president, Frederick de Klerk on November 11. In his past, he has always been a controversial figure in the country. He had played an important role in dismantling the apartheid system.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa said “The mourning period will be observed from Wednesday evening to Sunday evening the national flag will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect,” A private funeral is also planned for Sunday. An official commemoration will also be held but the date is not decided yet.
During a speech in Parliament in February 1990, de Klerk announced the release of Nelson Mandela, the regime’s number one enemy, and the legalization of his party (African National Congress), and other parties fighting the segregationist system, paving the way for the end of white rule and the country’s democratic transition.
His death at the age of 85, has generated mixed reactions in South Africa, with some criticizing the Nobel Peace Prize winner. He received it jointly with Mandela in 1993, for never saying sorry or feeling guilty for the crimes of apartheid. In a video that was released a few hours after his death, the former president attempts to correct this impression and apologizes “unreservedly” for “the pain, suffering, indignity, and damage that apartheid inflicted.
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Data source: Reuters