Actress Pearl Thusi gives FW de Klerk’s alleged state funeral a ‘huge middle finger’

Statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner FW de Klerk has died at the age of 85 on Thursday 11 November.

The former South African president – who preceded the country’s first democratically elected head Nelson Mandela – died in his Fresnaye, Cape Town, home from complications relating to mesothelioma cancer, his foundation announced earlier today.

And it’s also believed that President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver an address on the likelihood of the former president receiving a state funeral.

De Klerk, who was internationally credited for unbanning the African National Congress (ANC) and releasing Nelson Mandela from prison, went on to pave the way for South Africa’s first democratic elections. He was also widely respected for the role he played in drafting South Africa’s new Constitution — which is hailed as one of the most progressive in the world today.

Talk of a state funeral for De Klerk has however prompted racial outbursts and criticism from sections of South African society on Twitter, including actress and media personality Pearl Thusi.

Dave Steward, chairperson of the FW de Klerk Foundation, revealed in an interview with Radio 702 that President Cyril Ramaphosa may consider facilitating a state funeral for the former Nobel Peace Prize winner.

However the news was met with hostility among many tweeps, with Pearl Thusi claiming that the move would be a “huge middle finger” to the citizens of the country.

She tweeted: “If FW de Klerk gets a state funeral…That will be a huge middle finger to the people who suffered under the apartheid regime in this country”.

If FW DE KLERK gets a state funeral… That will be a huge middle finger to the people who suffered under the apartheid regime in this country.

— Pearl Thusi (@PearlThusi) November 11, 2021

And Pearl called for a “disruption” if President Ramaphosa decided to go ahead with the gesture.

She added: “In fact, we must disrupt that funeral if it’s declared a state funeral. There’s just no way”

I’m fact we must disrupt that funeral if it’s declared a state funeral. There’s just no way.

— Pearl Thusi (@PearlThusi) November 11, 2021

She also made her feelings known on how she really felt about the elected National Party leader.

“I feel a bit weird to celebrate anyone’s death. I’m indifferent about him being dead or alive. Maybe he was already dead to me because I’m definitely not sad,” she posted.

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.

— Pearl Thusi (@PearlThusi) November 11, 2021