Yesterday, Mzansi learned of the passing of the last leader of the apartheid-era in South Africa FW De Klerk. His passing was met with mixed reactions on social media.
Although his family members are grieving his loss, the black community is breathing a huge sigh of relief after as a result of the the inhumane treatment of black people during the apartheid regime. Tweeps took to social media to react to his passing and some made heartless remarks and reiterated that they will not be weeping for him.
They have even threatened to boycott his state funeral should the government declare one. Several social media users pleaded with Rasta to do a painting of the late politician, which is what he is best known for.
Many predicted that Rasta would trash his painting and were concerned that his final product portrayed Freddy Krueger rather than FW De Klerk.
Rasta did an impressive job on this FW de Klerk painting, this is better than the Monalisa in my books 🔥🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/jCsmSUt1mp
Yesterday Pearl Thusi was one of the vocal celebs on Twitter who expressed that FW De Klerk does not deserve a state funeral. In a twitter rant, Pearl tweeted, “If FWDEKLERK gets a state funeral, it will be a big middle finger for those who suffer under the apartheid regime in this country.“ she wrote.
"I feel a bit weird to celebrate any one’s death. Im indifferent about him being dead or alive. Maybe he was already dead to me because I’m definitely not sad," she continued.
“It is true that if a state funeral is declared, the funeral must be interrupted. There is no way.”
I’m fact we must disrupt that funeral if it’s declared a state funeral. There’s just no way.
The likes of Julius Malema and Duduzane Zuma also sang the same tune. Duduzane explained why South African's are in a jovial mood following his passing.
"Many May Not Understand Why SAfricans Are In A Jovial Mood Today. Many Lost Their Husbands, Wives, Children Etc… Many Tortured And Imprisoned And Many Of Us Born In Foreign Countries. Kubuhlungu!!! We The People Of South Africa Strongly Reject A State Funeral For De Klerk."
The EFF said "@EFFSouthAfrica A State Funeral for F.W De Klerk would be an insult to the families of the Cradock Four, it would undermine the memory of the people of Boipathong, Mthatha, Bhisho, the people of Vosloorus and many communities who were maimed by his state-sponsored black on black violence.:
De Klerk died on Thursday morning at his home in Cape Town, the FW de Klerk Foundation confirmed the news in a statement.
“Former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” the statement said. The foundation says the family will announce funeral arrangements in due course.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described him as a committed South African who embraced the democratic constitutional dispensation and placed the long-term future of the country ahead of narrow political interests.
