Ramaphosa remembers De Klerk for his role in changing history
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the family of former president FW de Klerk.
South Africa's last apartheid-era president died at his home in Cape Town on Thursday morning.
"He did play a key role in ushering in democracy in our country. He was a leader of a party that was largely discredited in relation to the role the National Party played in enforcing apartheid, Ramaphosa said outside the National Assembly.
"But he had the courage to step away from the path that his party that he lead had embarked upon for from 1948 and we will remember him for that.
"And of course the policies that the apartheid regime espoused and implemented have rigged a lot of havoc on millions and millions of South Africans and it was the havoc that many of our people will never forget and have suffered from. But as a human being it is important for us as South Africans to pay our condolences."
Leader of Good Patricia de Lille has sent condolences to his family.
"We want to express our deepest condolences to FW's wife, Elita and the family on the passing of the former president FW de Klerk.
"De Klerk played an important role in our country's transition from apartheid to a democracy and ensured a peaceful and reconciliatory process. He continued to serve our country after the attainment of our democracy. May his soul rest in peace."
DA Leader John Steenhuisen also paid his tributes.
"The Democratic Alliance extends its deepest condolences to the De Klerk family, his wife Elita, his children Susan and Jan and his grandchildren.
"May they find strength and comfort in this difficult time and rather than dividing our country, may Mr De Klerk's passing and his memory make us even more determined to work towards a united South Africa."
