Pw botha biography samples

Pieter Willem Botha

President of South Africa

Date of Birth: 12.01.1916
Country: South Africa

Content:

Biography of Pieter Willem Botha
A Controversial Figure
A Surprising Congratulation
A Life in Politics

Biography of Pieter Willem Botha

Pieter Willem Botha, also known as PW Botha, was a prominent South African politician who served as the President of South Africa from 1984 to 1989. He was born on January 12, 1916, in the small town of Paul Roux, Orange Free State.

A Controversial Figure

Botha was the last staunch supporter of apartheid among the presidents of South Africa. Throughout his political career, he faced numerous controversies and challenges. In 1982, he was found guilty of disrespecting the commission, which he referred to as a "circus," and was sentenced to a fine. However, Botha successfully appealed against both the charges and the sentence.

A Surprising Congratulation

Pieter Botha, now living in the resort area of Wilderness in the Western Cape, received an unexpected congratulation from the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu. Tutu had led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which examined the cases of former apartheid-era figures, including Botha, who was nicknamed the "Big Crocodile." Botha was found guilty of disrespecting the commission in 1982 but successfully appealed against the charges and the sentence. Tutu congratulated the former president and wished him good health, expressing hope that Botha would soften his character in his later years.

A Life in Politics

Botha's daughter revealed that he still retains a sharp and lively mind. Interestingly, he lives near the town of George, where he was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1948. This was the year when the National Party came to power and held it for over 40 years. Before becoming president, Botha served as the Minister of Defense. He handed over the presidency to Frederik de Klerk in 1989 after suffering a minor stroke.

Pieter Willem Botha passed away on October 31, 2006, at the age of 90, leaving behind a controversial legacy as one of the key figures during the apartheid era in South Africa.

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