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Mbeki to attend Botha's funeral Mbeki to attend Botha's funeral
(about 18 hours later)
South African President Thabo Mbeki has said he will attend the funeral of former apartheid leader, PW Botha, who died last week at the age of 90. The funeral of PW Botha, the last South African leader to staunchly defend the apartheid system, is to take place, with President Thabo Mbeki attending.
Mr Mbeki said there was a need for a balanced appraisal of Mr Botha's life "to promote nation-building and national reconciliation". Mr Mbeki said on Tuesday a balanced appraisal was needed of Mr Botha's life "to promote nation-building and national reconciliation".
Mr Mbeki said it was under Mr Botha that contacts first began with the ANC.Mr Mbeki said it was under Mr Botha that contacts first began with the ANC.
Mr Mbeki's eldest son is believed to have been killed by agents of the apartheid government under Mr Botha. The Botha family declined a state funeral and instead are holding it in the Western Cape town of George.
The Botha family declined an offer from Mr Mbeki for a state funeral and instead are holding it in the Western Cape town of George on Wednesday. Hundreds of mourners are expected at a Dutch reformed Church in the coastal town, which has been is festooned with white flowers.
There is also a prominent photograph of the former president on display, who died at the age of 90 last week.
Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings.Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings.
"Mr PW Botha led South Africa during a period of sustained repression against the majority of the population," said a statement from Mr Mbeki's office. Mr Botha's successor, FW de Klerk, who oversaw the dismantling of apartheid, is also expected at the funeral.
PW BOTHA 1916: Born 12 January1948: Elected MP1966: Defence minister1978: PM of South Africa1984: Executive president1989: Resigns the presidency2006: Dies, aged 90 Reaction in quotesPW BOTHA 1916: Born 12 January1948: Elected MP1966: Defence minister1978: PM of South Africa1984: Executive president1989: Resigns the presidency2006: Dies, aged 90 Reaction in quotes
The first post-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is not attending, but has paid tribute to Mr Botha - describing him as "a symbol of apartheid" but recalling that he had taken steps towards an eventual peacefully negotiated settlement.
Newspapers in South Africa had few kind words to say about Mr Botha calling him apartheid's last great champion.
Hundreds of African National Congress activists went missing or were killed whilst Mr Botha ruled South Africa between 1978 and 1989.
Mr Mbeki's eldest son, Kwanda, is believed to have been killed by agents of the apartheid government under Mr Botha.
However, a statement from Mr Mbeki's office on Tuesday gave few hints at any bitterness on the part of Mr Mbeki.
"Mr PW Botha led South Africa during a period of sustained repression against the majority of the population," the statement said.
"However, it is also in this period that contact between the apartheid government and the ANC was initiated, ultimately leading - after Mr Botha's retirement - to the unbanning of democratic organisations and the negotiations process which brought about the historic transition in 1994.""However, it is also in this period that contact between the apartheid government and the ANC was initiated, ultimately leading - after Mr Botha's retirement - to the unbanning of democratic organisations and the negotiations process which brought about the historic transition in 1994."
Newspapers in South Africa had few kind words to say about Mr Botha when he died last week, calling him apartheid's last great champion.
His successor, FW de Klerk, who oversaw the dismantling of apartheid, is also expected at the funeral.
The first post-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is not attending, but paid tribute to Mr Botha -describing him as "a symbol of apartheid" but recalling that he had taken steps towards an eventual peacefully negotiated settlement.