F.W. de Klerk

F.W. de Klerk was a South African politician and the last state president under apartheid, serving from 1989 to 1994. He is known for his role in dismantling the apartheid system, a policy of racial segregation and discrimination. De Klerk initiated negotiations to end apartheid, releasing Nelson Mandela from prison and supporting the transition to a multiracial democracy. His efforts culminated in the first democratic elections in 1994, which marked a significant shift in South Africa's history. For his contributions to peace and reconciliation, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela in 1993.