FW de Klerk dead – last president of Apartheid South Africa who freed Nelson Mandela dies aged 85

THE former president of South Africa and its last white leader F.W De Klerk has died at the age of 85. De Klerk was also a key figure in the nation’s transition to democracy and was instrumental in the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. Getty - ContributorF.W de Klerk was South Africa’s last president[/caption] De Klerk died on Thursday morning at his home in Cape Town, the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement. “Former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” the statement said. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.