Pieter Willem Botha quotes

Pieter Willem Botha was a South African politician who served as Prime Minister and later the first executive State President of South Africa. His leadership marked a critical period during the final years of apartheid, characterized by both reform attempts and harsh repression. He remains a controversial figure for his role in maintaining and slowly dismantling the apartheid system. Here are 52 of his quotes:

I am not against the provision of the necessary medical assistance to Coloured and natives, because, unless they receive that medical aid, they become a source of danger to the European community.

Pieter Willem Botha

I am one of those who believe that there is no permanent home for even a section of the Bantu in the white area of South Africa and the destiny of South Africa depends on this essential point. If the principle of permanent residence for the black man in the area of the white is accepted then it is the beginning of the end of civilisation as we know it in this country.

Pieter Willem Botha

We do not want chaos in South Africa.

Pieter Willem Botha

The idea of an Afrikaner people as a cultural entity and religious group with a special language will be retained in South Africa as long as civilisation stands.

Pieter Willem Botha

I never have the nagging doubt of wondering whether perhaps I am wrong.

Pieter Willem Botha

South Africa is not a jellyfish and is in many respects a swordfish.

Pieter Willem Botha

Our history is responsible for the differences in the South African way of life.

Pieter Willem Botha

The security and happiness of all minority groups in South Africa depend on the Afrikaner. Whether they are English- or German- or Portuguese- or Italian-speaking, or even Jewish-speaking, makes no difference.

Pieter Willem Botha

The people who are opposing the policy of apartheid have not the courage of their convictions. They do not marry non-Europeans.

Pieter Willem Botha

The acceptance of vertical differentiation with the built-in principle of self-determination must apply on as many levels as possible.

Pieter Willem Botha

Nelson Mandela can rot in prison until he dies or I die, whichever takes longer.

Pieter Willem Botha

Most blacks are happy, except those who have had other ideas pushed into their ears.

Pieter Willem Botha

The free world wants to feed South Africa to the Red Crocodile [communism], to appease its hunger.

Pieter Willem Botha

I am sick and tired of the hollow parrot-cry of "Apartheid!” I've said many times that the word "Apartheid” means good neighbourliness.

Pieter Willem Botha

I have been to Switzerland before but not to this [Paul Kruger's] house or to a Swiss bank.

Pieter Willem Botha

Half a century ago in this court I was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for George. And here I am today ... I am not better than General De Wet. I am not better than President Steyn. Like them I stand firm in my principles. I can do no different. So help me God.

Pieter Willem Botha

No Prime Minister before me has been attacked more viciously than I am today.

Pieter Willem Botha

Accept where I am going or I will not lead you.

Pieter Willem Botha

The United States needs a man at the helm who knows some psychology, who would know that you can't try to dictate to a people from abroad without stiffening their resistance.

Pieter Willem Botha

Adapt or die.

Pieter Willem Botha

The fact is that the Westminster system has not worked anywhere in Africa – not even in England because the Scots and Welsh are moving away from it.

Pieter Willem Botha

Because you could not translate the word apartheid into the more universal language of English, the wrong connotation was given to it.

Pieter Willem Botha