FW de Klerk Foundation withdraws apartheid statement, parties react
The FW de Klerk Foundation has unconditionally withdrawn the statement it made about apartheid.
On Friday - the foundation said apartheid was not a crime against humanity.
It was responding to the EFF's disruption of Thursday's State of the Nation Address - when the party called the former president an apartheid apologist and demanded that he be asked to leave the house.
The comments by the De Klerk foundation have been met with widespread anger.
READ: De Klerk is an 'unrepentant apologist of Apartheid,' says Malema
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation said it was irresponsible of the foundation to debate the awfulness of apartheid - while the Nelson Mandela Foundation had asked for an urgent meeting with the De Klerk Foundation CEO today.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has also condemned the comments - saying the statement must be retracted
In a statement this afternoon - the De Klerk Foundation says it's noted the vehement reaction and says it apologises for the confusion, anger and hurt that it has caused.
Political parties have been reacting to the FW de Klerk Foundation's retraction and apology.
ANC KZN spokesperson, Ricardo Mthembu says the statement diminishes the reconciliation efforts.
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The DA's KZN leader, Zwakele Mncwango doesn't believe the apology is sincere.
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EFF KZN's Vusi Khoza says the party wants De Klerk's Noble Peace Prize Award revoked and for him to be charged with murder.
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IFP national spokersperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa says De Klerk's comments reversed the strides of reconciliation.
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