By RFIPalled on 13-10-2018Modified on 13-10-2018 at 00:43

In South Africa, one of the last figures of apartheid has died out. Pik Botha, Foreign Minister for more than 15 years was the figure of the racist regime internationally from 1977 to 1994. He died at 86 in Pretoria, after being hospitalized three weeks ago. Tributes pour into South Africa, to commemorate the reformist who participated in the democratic transition of the country.

Some will remember him as his action in the apartheid regime, whose career diplomat was the showcase internationally, trying to fight the political and economic embargo that was targeting South Africa at that time.

But if President Cyril Ramaphosa today thanks " this weighty support of the democratic transition " in his words, it is because Pik Botha quickly worked for the advent of the rainbow nation. He will be the Minister of Mines and Energy of the Mandela government for two years. A few years later, he will even join the ranks of the ANC, an organization he fought in apartheid times.

Historical enemy become allied late

The tributes follow one another, most to thank him for being one of the first leaders of apartheid to propose a black president at the head of the country and then to denounce the complex of superiority of South African whites.

His funeral is organized by his family in 10 days. The ANC has not yet communicated on the subject. It will be interesting to see how the party will pay homage or not, to this historical enemy become an ally late.

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