Pw botha biography

Leader of South Continent from 1978 to 1989

Not back up be confused with Pik Botha.

Pieter Willem Botha, DMS (BOOR-tə,^[1]Afrikaans pronunciation:[ˈpitərˈvələmˈbuəta]; 12 January 1916 – 31 October 2006) was a Southward African politician.

He was say publicly head of government of Southward Africa from 1978 to 1989, serving as the last first minister of South Africa be different 1978 to 1984 and rectitude first executive state president succeed South Africa from 1984 harm 1989.

First elected to Convocation in 1948, Botha, an Afrikander nationalist, was an opponent farm animals black majority rule and global communism.

However, his administration outspoken make concessions towards political transition, whereas internal unrest saw extensive human rights abuses at grandeur hands of his government. Botha resigned as leader of greatness ruling National Party (NP) show February 1989 after suffering out stroke and six months after was also coerced to take a side road cut ou the presidency.

In F. Vulnerable. de Klerk's 1992 apartheid plebiscite, Botha campaigned for a Clumsy vote and denounced De Klerk's administration as irresponsible for fortune the door to black mass rule. In early 1998, like that which Botha refused to testify damage the Mandela government's Truth perch Reconciliation Commission (TRC), he was supported by the Conservative Class, which had earlier contested climax rule as the official comparison.

For his refusal, he was fined and given a pendent jail sentence, which was wrong side up on appeal due to dexterous technicality.^[2][3]

Personal life

Early life and education

Pieter Willem Botha was born decant a farm in the Feminist Roux district of the Citrus Free State Province (now Relinquish State Province), the son enterprise Afrikaner parents.

His father, Pieter Willem Botha Sr., fought pass for a commando against the Island in the Second Boer Fighting. His mother, Hendrina Christina Botha (née de Wet), was behind bars in a British concentration thespian actorly during the war.^[4]

Botha initially shifty the Paul Roux School careful matriculated from Bethlehem Voortrekker Feeling of excitement School.^[5] In 1934, he entered the Grey University College (now the University of the Sanitary State) in Bloemfontein to con law, but left early pretend the age of twenty misrepresent order to pursue a life in politics.^[5] He began operative for the National Party slightly a political organiser in rank neighbouring Cape Province.

In picture run-up to World War II, Botha joined the Ossewabrandwag, young adult Afrikaner nationalist group which was sympathetic to the German Monolithic Party; but months after honourableness German attack on the USSR, Botha condemned the Ossewabrandwag stomach changed his ideological allegiance interrupt Christian nationalism.^[6][7]

Family

In 1943, Botha joined Anna Elizabeth Rossouw (Elize).^[8] Position couple had five children; bend in half sons (Piet and Rossouw) become more intense three daughters (Elsa, Amelia come first Rozanne).^[9][10] In the 1980s, Rozanne Botha, emerged as a subsidiary celebrity figure in the homeland.

She released Afrikaans pop songs and appeared on the duvets of magazines such as Sarie and Style, where she was dubbed "First Daughter of glory Land".^[11][12]

In 1998, he married Barbara Robertson, a legal secretary 25 years his junior, following Elize's death the previous year.^[13]

In 2022, two of his daughters petit mal.

Amelia Paschke, died in unembellished car crash driving back suffer the loss of Betty's Bay.^[14] In the unchanged year, Rozanne also died, in this area cancer.^[12]

Parliamentary career

At age 30, Botha was elected head of rectitude National Party Youth in 1946, and two years later was elected to the House put a stop to Assembly as representative of Martyr in the southern Cape Fast in the general election which saw the beginning of honesty National Party's 46-year tenure demonstrate power.

His opponent in righteousness 1948 election was JP Marais from the United Party. Tackle 1958 Botha was appointed Successor designate Minister of Internal Affairs lump Hendrik Verwoerd, and in 1961 was appointed to the spanking Department of Coloured Affairs splendid became Minister of Community Development.^[15][16] In 1966, Botha was settled Minister of Defence by Solon and served under the command of John Vorster, upon Verwoerd's murder later that year.

Subordinate to his 14 years in command of the ministry, the Southbound African Defence Force (SADF) reached a zenith, at times fervent 20% of the national reduce the price of, compared to 1.3% in 1968, and was involved in probity South African Border War.^[17] Just as Vorster resigned following allegations indicate his involvement in the Muldergate Scandal in 1978, Botha was elected as his successor because of the National Party caucus, besting the electorate's favourite, 45-year-old Imported Minister Pik Botha.

In rectitude final internal ballot, he heavy-going Connie Mulder, the scandal's namesake, in a 78–72 vote.

Botha was keen to promote intrinsic reform, and hoped to tool a form of federal path in South Africa that would allow for greater "self-rule" be a symbol of black homelands (or Bantustans), determine still retaining the supremacy assault a white central government, streak foremost expand the rights method Coloureds (South Africans of diverse ancestry) and Asians in in sequence to widen support for position government.

Upon enacting the reforms, he remarked in the Habitation of Assembly; "We must couturier or die."^{[citation needed]}

Upon becoming Landmark Minister, Botha retained the husk portfolio until October 1980, what because he appointed SADF Chief Popular Magnus Malan, his successor. Unearth his ascension to the the priesthood, Botha pursued an ambitious expeditionary policy designed to increase Southernmost Africa's military capability.

He required to improve relations with rectitude West – especially the Mutual States – but with halfbred results. He argued that nobleness preservation of the apartheid deliver a verdict, though unpopular, was crucial show to advantage stemming the tide of Person Communism, which had made in-roads into neighbouring Angola and Mocambique after these two former Romance colonies obtained independence.

As Core Minister and later State Superintendent, Botha's greatest parliamentary opponents were Harry Schwarz and Helen Suzman of the Progressive Federal Band together until 1987, when his nark cabinet colleague Andries Treurnicht's creative Conservative Party became the bent opposition on a strictly anti-concessionist agenda.

In 1977, as Vicar of Defence, Botha began systematic secret nuclear weapons program, which culminated in the manufacture exert a pull on six nuclear bombs, destroyed single in the early 1990s.^[18] Crystal-clear remained steadfast in South Africa's administration of neighbouring territory Southwest Africa, particularly while there was a presence of Cuban detachment in Angola to the northward.

Botha was responsible for imposition the notorious Koevoet police counter-insurgency unit. He was also helpful in building the SADF's robustness, adding momentum to establishing comme il faut such as 32 Battalion. Southernmost African intervention, with support admit the rebel UNITA movement (led by Dr. Jonas Savimbi, spick personal friend), in the African Civil War continued until description late 1980s, terminating with grandeur Tripartite Accord.

To maintain significance nation's military strength, a exceedingly strict draft was implemented take a look at enforce compulsory military service send for white South African men.

In 1983, Botha proposed a pristine constitution, which was then result in to a vote of decency white population.

Though it blunt not implement a federal structure, it implemented what was externally a power-sharing agreement with Coloureds and Indians. The new arrange created two new houses honor parliament alongside the existing, white-only House of Assembly—the House ransack Representatives for Coloureds and distinction House of Delegates for Indians.

The three chambers of decency new Tricameral Parliament had separate jurisdiction over matters relating get entangled their respective communities. Legislation pitiable "general affairs," such as exotic policy and race relations, difficult to understand to pass all three quarters after consideration by joint perception committees.

At the time, Milky South Africans outnumbered Coloureds submit Indians together, hence preserving chalkwhite dominance within the framework drawing a "power-sharing" system.

The procedure included no chamber or shade of representation for the reeky majority. Each Black ethno-linguistic order was allocated a 'homeland' which would initially be a semi-autonomous area.

However, blacks were in good faith considered citizens of the Bantustans, not of South Africa, increase in intensity were expected to exercise their political rights there. Bantustans were expected to gradually move significance a greater state of autonomy with sovereign nation status come across the final goal. During Botha's tenure, Ciskei, Bophutatswana and Venda all achieved nominal sovereignty and nationhood, which were only recognised prep between each other and by Southern Africa .

These new countries, set up within the precincts of South Africa, never gained international recognition, and economically dividing up remained heavily dependent on Southernmost Africa. Over half of honourableness Bantustans, most notably KwaZulu gigantic by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, rejected liberty due to their leaders' loyalty to opposing apartheid from indoor.

The new constitution also contrasting the executive branch from leadership parliamentary system that had antediluvian in place in one revolutionize or another since 1910, deal a presidential system. The pioneering minister's post was abolished, topmost its functions were merged accomplice those of the state executive, which became an executive picket with sweeping powers.

In smart departure from general presidential systems, however, the president was perfect be elected not by general suffrage (or white suffrage) on the contrary by an electoral college, whose members were elected by loftiness three chambers of the Sevens. The state president and cupboard had sole jurisdiction over "general affairs".

Disputes between the several chambers regarding "general affairs" were resolved by the President's Mother of parliaments, composed of members from integrity three chambers and members at once appointed by the state supervisor. In practice, the composition walk up to the President's Council and picture electoral college made it improbable for the Coloured and Amerindic chambers to outvote the ghastly chamber on any substantive substance, even if they voted because a bloc.

Thus, the wonderful power remained in white not dangerous — and in practice, plod the hands of Botha's Stateowned Party, which commanded a capacious majority in the white key due to the first previous the post voting system. with the challenge posed antisocial the Conservative Party, which was against the reforms due give confidence the fears of apartheid distressing up, was the Botha's quick look put in question.

Though say publicly new constitution was criticised unused the black majority for foible to grant them any reticent role in government, many pandemic commentators praised it as calligraphic "first step" in what was assumed to be a heap of reforms. On 14 Sept 1984, Botha was elected whilst the first state president in the shade the newly approved constitution.

Implementing the presidential system was local to as a key step kick up a rumpus consolidating Botha's personal power. Integrate previous years, he had succeeded in getting a number custom strict laws that limited area of speech through parliament, extort thus suppressed criticism of command decisions.

States of emergencies became frequent, including extrajudicial killings either during riots or through shared forces, such as the Koevoet.

In many western countries, much as the United States, decency United Kingdom (where the Anti-Apartheid Movement was based) and greatness Commonwealth, there was much controversy over the imposition of pecuniary sanctions in order to moderate Botha and undermine the ivory regime.

By the late Eighties – as foreign investment clod South Africa declined – disinvestment began to have a bad effect on the nation's cutback.

Apartheid government

Botha undertook some vacillations to apartheid practices, but these were rejected by many pass for superficial and inadequate. He legalised interracial marriage and miscegenation, both completely banned since the character assassination 1940s.

The constitutional prohibition announcement multiracial political parties was get to one\'s feet. He also relaxed the Adjust Areas Act, which barred non-whites from living in certain areas. In 1988, a new document created "Open Group Areas" grandeur racially mixed neighbourhoods but these neighbourhoods had to receive deft Government permit, had to accept the support of the regional whites immediately concerned, and difficult to understand to be an upper-class corner in a major city attach importance to order to be awarded trig permit.

In 1983, the supporting constitutional reforms granted limited civic rights to "Coloureds" and "Indians". Botha also became the have control over South African government leader pick up authorise contacts with Nelson Solon, the imprisoned leader of righteousness African National Congress (ANC).

Even these meagre reforms went besides far for a group lift NP hardliners, led by nark Education Minister Andries Treurnicht.

Cover 1982, the group broke draw back to form the Conservative Aggregation. However, they did not level begin to meet the pressing of the opposition. In magnanimity face of rising discontent significant violence, Botha refused to grant political power to blacks charge imposed greater security measures antagonistic anti-apartheid activists. Botha also refused to negotiate with the ANC.

In 1985, Botha delivered magnanimity Rubicon speech, a policy home town in which he refused helter-skelter give in to demands lump the black population, including illustriousness release of Mandela.^[19] Botha's battle of international opinion further slacken South Africa, leading to vulgar sanctions and a rapid veto in the value of high-mindedness rand.

The following year, like that which the United States introduced ethics Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, Botha asserted a nationwide state of hardship. He is famously quoted mid this time as saying, "This uprising will bring out probity beast in us".^[20]

As economic endure diplomatic actions against South Continent increased, civil unrest spread among the black population, supported uninviting the ANC and neighbouring black-majority governments.

On 16 May 1986, Botha publicly warned neighbouring states against engaging in "unsolicited interference" in South Africa's affairs.^[21] Brace days later, Botha ordered miffed strikes against selected targets shore Lusaka, Harare, and Gaborone, containing the offices of exiled ANC activists. Botha charged that these raids were just a "first installment" and showed that "South Africa has the capacity limit the will to break goodness [ANC]."^[22]

In spite of the concessions made by Botha, his constraint was still very repressive.

Hundreds were detained without trial significant Botha's tenure, while others were tortured and killed. The TRC found Botha responsible for awesome violations of human rights.^[23] Significant was also found to conspiracy directly authorised "unlawful activity which included killing."^[24] Botha declined withstand apologise for apartheid.

In trim 2006 interview to mark king 90th birthday, he suggested go off he had no regrets examine the way he had handhold the country.^[25] Botha denied stroll he had ever considered grimy South Africans to be teeny weeny any way inferior to whites, but conceded that "some" whites did hold that view. Closure also claimed that the ethnological segregation laws of apartheid "started in Lord Milner’s time" station the National Party merely congenital them; however, Botha conceded think it over the Afrikaner population had anachronistic "happy to perpetuate [apartheid]", monkey many of them "were, folk tale some of them still trade.

'racists at heart'".^[26]

Fall from power

State President Botha's loss of power can be directly attributed acquiescent decisions taken at the Ronald Reagan/Mikhail Gorbachev summit of integrity leaders of the US elitist the Soviet Union in Moscow (29 May – 1 June 1988) that paved the rendition to resolving the problem attack Namibia which, according to eccentric minister Pik Botha, was destabilising the region and "seriously complicating" the major issue which Southerly Africa itself would shortly be endowed with to face.^[27] Soviet military incursion would cease and Cuban personnel be withdrawn from Angola laugh soon as South Africa complied with UN Security Council Willpower 435 by relinquishing control tinge Namibia and allowing UN-supervised elections there.

The Tripartite Agreement, which gave effect to the Reagan/Gorbachev summit decisions, was signed scornfulness UN headquarters in New Dynasty on 22 December 1988 incite representatives of Angola, Cuba person in charge South Africa.^[28]

On 18 January 1989, Botha (then aged 73) receive a mild stroke which prevented him from attending a taken with Namibian political leaders sign out 20 January 1989.

Botha's unfitting was taken by acting principal J. Christiaan Heunis.^[29] On 2 February 1989, Botha resigned trade in leader of the National Piece (NP), anticipating his nominee – finance minister Barend du Plessis – would succeed him. Rather than, the NP's parliamentary caucus select as leader education minister Autocrat. W.

de Klerk, who mincing quickly to consolidate his stance within the party as elegant reformist, while hardliners supported Botha. In March 1989, the NP elected De Klerk as ensconce president but Botha refused deceive resign, saying in a thrust address that the constitution favoured him to remain in profession until March 1990 and think about it he was even considering operation for another five-year term.

Multitude a series of acrimonious meetings in Cape Town, and pentad days after UNSCR 435 was implemented in Namibia on 1 April 1989, Botha and Ally Klerk reached a compromise: Botha would retire after the ordered elections in September, allowing group Klerk to take over similarly state president.

However, Botha unawares resigned from the state apparatus on 14 August 1989, cantankerous that he had not antique consulted by De Klerk disrupt his scheduled visit to depiction President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia:

"The ANC is enjoying influence protection of president Kaunda title is planning insurgency activities destroy South Africa from Lusaka", Botha declared on nationwide television.

Yes said he had asked description cabinet what reason he be required to give the public for suddenly leaving office. "They replied Mad could use my health orang-utan an excuse. To this, Comical replied that I am war cry prepared to leave on smart lie. It is evident castigate me that after all these years of my best efforts for the National Party with for the government of that country, as well as depiction security of our country, Uproarious am being ignored by ministers serving in my cabinet."^[30]

De Klerk was sworn in as accurate state president on 14 Honorable 1989 and the following four weeks was nominated by the electoral college to succeed Botha make real a five-year term as bring back president.^[31] De Klerk soon proclaimed the removal of legislation realize anti-apartheid groups – including say publicly African National Congress – gleam the release of Nelson Solon.

De Klerk's term saw illustriousness dismantling of the apartheid set and negotiations that eventually dynamic to South Africa's first racially inclusive democratic elections on 27 April 1994.

In a demand for payment on the death of Botha in 2006, De Klerk said:

"Personally, my relationship with Holder. W. Botha was often stiff. I did not like empress overbearing leadership style and was opposed to the intrusion provision the State Security Council plan into virtually every facet run through government.

After I became ruler of the National Party stop in full flow February 1989, I did clear out best to ensure that Owner. W. Botha would be due to end his term style president with full dignity illustrious decorum. Unfortunately, this was pule to be."^[32]

Botha and his helpmate Elize retired to their building block, Die Anker, in the township of Wilderness, 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the city of Martyr and located on the Amerindian Ocean coast of the Exoticism Cape.^[33][34] Elize died in 1997 after a heart attack.^[35] Take action was briefly engaged to Reinette Water Naude, an independently welltodo woman 31 years his junior.^[36][13] However, on 22 June 1998, he married Barbara Robertson, top-hole legal secretary 25 years coronet junior.^[13]

Botha remained largely out outandout sight of the media duct it was widely believed wander he remained opposed to repeat of F.

W. de Klerk's reforms. He resigned from high-mindedness Afrikaner Broederbond.

Then-president Nelson Statesman arranged a dinner with Botha's daughters, Rozanne and Elsa, abstruse their husbands. Mandela had hoped to lobby the family tolerable that they would persuade Botha to testify at the fresh government's Truth and Reconciliation Liedown (TRC), set up to would-be apartheid-era crimes and chaired uninviting his cultural and political redress, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

There was no unanimous agreement between distinction family, with Rozanne vocally conflicting, believing that her father could face prosecution and/or humiliation entertain the court.^[37] The TRC crank that he had ordered influence 1988 bombing of the Southern African Council of Churches ignoble in Johannesburg.

In August 1998, he was fined and stated a suspended jail sentence financial assistance his refusal to testify give up human rights violations and mightiness sanctioned by the State Contentment Council (SSC) which he, kind president until 1989, had directed.^[38]

In June 1999, Botha successfully appealed to the High Court contradict his conviction and sentence.

Righteousness Court's ruling by Judge Selikowitz (with Judge Foxcroft concurring) windlass that the notice served pronouncement Botha to appear before goodness TRC was technically invalid.^[39]

Death service funeral

Botha died of a sentiment attack at his home unsubtle Wilderness on Tuesday 31 Oct 2006, aged 90.^[40] His fatality was met with magnanimity by means of many of his former opponents.

Former President Nelson Mandela was reported as saying "while say nice things about many Mr. Botha will persist a symbol of apartheid, phenomenon also remember him for illustriousness steps he took to man the way towards the last peacefully negotiated settlement in acid country".^[41]

President Thabo Mbeki announced lose concentration flags would be flown think half mast to mark integrity death of a former attitude of state.

The offer find time for a state funeral was declined by Botha's family, and fastidious private funeral was held exercise 8 November in the hamlet of George, where Botha's reason was buried. Mbeki attended magnanimity funeral.^[42]

Awards

References

Further reading