By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the National Flag be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the late former Deputy President FW de Klerk.
De Klerk passed away at his home in Fresnaye, Cape Town on Thursday, November 11 due to an extended illness.
According to Ramaphosa, the National Flag be flown at half-mast from sunset on Wednesday, November 17 until the evening of Sunday, November 21.
In a statement, the Presidency said the national flag will be flown at half-mast “as a mark of respect” for the late former president.
“Government has consulted the De Klerk family and the FW de Klerk Foundation as part of preparing for this event in which government leaders, leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society will participate,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The FW de Klerk Foundation has announced that the cremation and funeral will take place on Sunday.
De Klerk died aged 85 after a battle with cancer. After his death, his foundation published a video in which he apologised for crimes against other ethnic groups during decades of white minority rule in South Africa.
He had previously refused to apologise and prompted backlash as recently as last year when he said he did not believe apartheid was a crime against humanity. On the other hand, he angered right wing Afrikaners who viewed him as a traitor to their causes of white supremacy and nationalism by ending apartheid.
Remarks on his death from world leaders and citizens alike reflected the difficult space in history he occupied; a key player in one of the most infamous oppressive regimes but also one who moved to bring it to an end.