Here Jeff Koinange writes about his recent interview with Frederik Willem de Klerk. PAARL, South Africa (CNN) -- Frederik Willem de Klerk -- the last leader of white South Africa and the man who ...

Former South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk, the last white man ever to rule the country, has died Thursday of mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer, at his home near Cape Town.

Mr de Klerk was a key figure in South Africa's transition to democracy, and was succeeded by President Nelson Mandela, whose freedom he helped to secure.