Current and former political leaders praised the legacy of FW De Klerk at a state memorial service on Sunday 12 December.

The commemorated the life of South Africa’s last apartheid president, at the Groote Kerk (church) in Cape Town’s central business district.

Helen Zille, federal executive chairperson for the Democratic Alliance party said De Klerk was one of the most defining figures of the last century and a leader of extraordinary courage.

Former leader of the Democratic Alliance, Tony Leon, said De Klerk played a significant role in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered the eulogy, said while De Klerk’s predecessors never managed to to cross the Rubicon and end apartheid, he had entered into negotiations with South Africa’s liberation movements.

South African billionaire and business tycoon Johann Rupert also attended the memorial service.

But the ceremony was still controversial with those who say De Klerk oversaw brutal action by security forces against opponents of apartheid, and that his decision to end the system was in part forced by the end of the Cold War.

Current and former political leaders praised the legacy of South Africa’s last apartheid president, FW De Klerk. De Klerk was given a state memorial service at the Groote Kerk in Cape Town’s CBD.

Democratic Alliance federal executive chairperson, Helen Zille, said FW De Klerk was one on the most defining figures of the last century and a leader of extraordinary courage.

Former leader of the Democratic Alliance and its predecessor the Democratic Party, Tony Leon, said De Klerk played a significant role in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered the eulogy, said while De Klerk’s predecessors never managed to to cross the Rubicon, he had entered into negotiations with South Africa’s liberation movements.

South African billionaire and business tycoon, Johann Rupert, also attended the memorial service.