Here are some facts on FW de Klerk, South Africa’s last white president:

Head of state between September 1989 and May 1994

Unbanned African National Congress and other anti-apartheid organisations in February 1990

Released Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners around the same time

Won the Nobel Peace Prize with Mr Mandela in 1993 for leading the transition to end minority rule

Handed power to Mr Mandela after South Africa’s first democratic election in April 1994

Served under Mr Mandela as a deputy president

Quit the government in 1996 after sharp differences over the future shape of government