South Africa: apartheid-era leader falls ill
F.W. de Klerk. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
JOHANNESBURG— A South African foundation says F.W. de Klerk, the last leader of the apartheid era and a co-recipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, will be fitted with a pacemaker to help his heart function.
A foundation named after 77-year-old de Klerk said Tuesday the former president felt dizzy after returning home Sunday from Europe, and that he had suffered several similar spells of dizziness in recent weeks.
The foundation says de Klerk will have a pacemaker implanted later Tuesday and will spend the night in a hospital.
De Klerk and his wife previously announced they were suspending a working visit and vacation in Europe because Mandela is critically ill. De Klerk and the anti-apartheid leader led negotiations that ended white racist rule.
