FW de Klerk - Nobel laureate

Moments in South African History

Former South African president FW de Klerk who died at the age of 85 in Cape Town, was one of only four South Africans to receive the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. De Klerk shared the award with his presidential successor, Nelson Mandela, in 1993 for ending apartheid and helping to create a new South Africa. Following the historic 1994 election, De Klerk became Mandela's deputy. But their rocky relationship saw him quit their Government of National Unity. During the Truth and Reconciliation Commission period, De Klerk apologised for the pain and suffering that apartheid had caused, but didn't go far enough for everyone.

Credits: Angie Kapelianis, John Perlman, Danny Booysen and the SABC Media Libraries.

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