Pretoria – Former President Nelson Mandela made a unique contribution not only to the establishment of the country’s constitutional democracy but also to the cause of national reconciliation and nation building, says Former President FW de Klerk.
De Klerk joined world leaders on Friday in sending messages of condolence to the Mandela family.
“It was with the greatest sadness that I have learned of the death of Nelson Mandela. South Africa has lost one of its founding fathers and one of its greatest sons,” de Klerk said.
President Jacob Zuma late on Thursday night announced Madiba's passing from the Union Buildings. He said Mandela had passed on peacefully in the company of his family.
De Klerk first met Mandela on 13 December 1989, a few months after he became president.
“We did not discuss any substantive issues and spent most of the time sizing one another up. We both reached the conclusion that we would be able to do business with one another,” de Klerk said.
Mandela was released from prison during de Klerk’s administration.
In 1993, de Klerk praised Mandela for calling for calm after the assassination of Chris Hani.
“During his presidency, Mr Mandela did indeed use his great responsibility to assure South Africans from all our communities that he had all their interests at heart. – SAnews.gov.za
