Cape Town – One of the key negotiators during South Africa’s 1994 political transition and former spy chief Dr Niël Barnard has died.
He was 75.
According to Pretoria FM, Barnard died in Gansbaai in the Western Cape on Monday morning after a battle with cancer.
He also served as the first director-general of the Western Cape.
Voormalige spioenbaas, dr. Niël Barnard oorlede https://t.co/Qj4hfwTtb5
— Pretoria FM (@PretoriaFM) January 13, 2025
SABC News reported that Barnard was renowned as the first representative of the South African government to engage with the then-banned ANC, represented by former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, to discuss a peaceful transition to a constitutional democracy.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and five grandchildren. Funeral details will be shared later.
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Picture: X/@PretoriaFM
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
