The former South African President, FE DE Klerk has been confirmed dead by the FW DE Klerk foundation at the age of 85 at his home in Cape Town on the morning of Thursday 11, November.

“It is with the deepest sadness that the FW de Klerk Foundation must announce that former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” the FW De Klerk Foundation said in a statement.

“Mr. De Klerk was 85 years old. He is survived by his wife Elita, his children Jan and Susan, and his grandchildren. The family will, in due course, make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements”.

De Klerk had been earlier this year diagnosed with mesothelioma – “cancer that affects the lining of the lungs”, the FW de Klerk Foundation said on its website.

He was receiving immunotherapy for the illness.

De Klerk was South Africa’s last President under the Apartheid regime and played a critical role in the transition period as the country embraced democracy. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer o the lungs – earlier this year. He has suffered numerous health scares in that time.

The Foundation said that funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.