SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday declared four days of national mourning for South Africa’s last white President FW de Klerk, who died on Thursday at his home in Cape Town after battling cancer.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast from Wednesday until Sunday evening as a mark of respect.
De Klerk passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Cape Town last Thursday.
De Klerk’s role in ending apartheid and during the transition to democracy has been the subject of fierce debate since the news of his death broke.
Acting spokesperson in the Presidency Tyrone Seale says the government will host a state memorial service.
“Government has consulted the De Klerk family and the FW de Klerk Foundation as part of preparing for this event in which government leaders, leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society will participate,” said Seale.
The FW de Klerk Foundation has announced that his cremation and funeral will take place in a private ceremony for family members on Sunday.
- Inside Politics
