P. W. Botha: Trending quotes (page 2)

“The Republic of South Africa has a new formula under the National Party's leadership: black nations can get freedom without firing shots or revolution.”

P. W. Botha

As prime minister, Graaff-Reinet, 26 May 1984, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 35

Freedom

“Lord Milner had, in the forced Peace of Vereeniging ensured that there was to be no franchise for black people after the introduction of self-government – which was never intended. It was only after half a century that an Afrikaner government started doing something about black rights.”

P. W. Botha

As state president, unveiling a monument to Boer War victims at Delareyville, 10 October 1985, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 34

People , Peace

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

P. W. Botha

On a European tour as Prime Minister, 31 May 1984, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 51

Housing

“Never in the history of this country have so few people done so much for so many without acknowledgement by the international community.”

P. W. Botha

As state president, referring to the ruling National Party House of Assembly, 17 August 1987, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 28

People , History , Communication , Country

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

P. W. Botha

Reportedly to Cape Town journalists in February 1987, though later denied. As cited by Andrew Donaldson, Sunday Times, 5 November 2006

“Where in the whole wide world today can you find a more just society than South Africa has?”

P. W. Botha

As Minister of Defence, East London NP Congress, 6 May 1976, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 16

World

“Many refugees – white, brown and black – flee to South Africa. Why? Here they know they have safety.”

P. W. Botha

As Minister of Defence, House of Assembly, 1 September 1975, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 17

“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.”

P. W. Botha

As cited in Country of My Skull, Antjie Krog, Random House, p. 270

God , Help

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

P. W. Botha

At an election meeting in Pietermaritzburg on 30 April 1987, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 19

“With the withdrawal of Britain east of the Suez and the consequent vacuum caused in the Middle East, and the stocking of arsenals in some African states by Russia and China, the dangers threatening South Africa today are greater than ever before.”

P. W. Botha

As Minister of Defence, speaking in Pretoria on 1 April 1968, Die Burger, http://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/extract-speech-made-heilbron-16-august-1968 2 April 1968

“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.”

P. W. Botha

As cited in Dictionary of South African Quotations, Jennifer Crwys-Williams, Penguin Books 1994, p. 244

Communication

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

P. W. Botha

As cited in Dictionary of South African Quotations, Jennifer Crwys-Williams, Penguin Books 1994, p. 53

Idea , Happiness

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

P. W. Botha

As cited in Country of My Skull, Antjie Krog, Random House, p. 270

Time , Cry

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

P. W. Botha

Addressing the Transvaal NP Congress on 18 September 1979, as cited by Andrew Donaldson, Sunday Times, November 5, 2006

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

P. W. Botha

As MP of George, House of Assembly, 7 September 1948, as quoted in Dictionary of South African Quotations, Jennifer Crwys-Williams, Penguin Books, 1994, p. 251

People , Courage

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

P. W. Botha

As cited in Dictionary of South African Quotations, Jennifer Crwys-Williams, Penguin Books 1994, p. 90

Hunger , World , Communication

“Our enemies latched unto the word "apartheid" and in a very sly manner transformed it into the strongest weapon in the onslaught against freedom and civilization in our country.”

P. W. Botha

As state president at a parade of the SA Police College, Pretoria, 20 June 1986, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 37

Freedom , Country

“The separation of races happened long before the Nationalist Government. God separated the races.”

P. W. Botha

As prime minister to an Austrian journalist during a European tour, 3 September 1984, as cited in The Star, and Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, PW Botha in his own words, p. 24

God

“… I am not prepared to build the type of wall you built in Berlin. In South Africa we only build walls for houses.”

P. W. Botha

To a Voice of America journalist in Berlin during a European tour, 3 September 1984, as cited in Venture into the Exterior: Through Europe With P.W. Botha, John Scott, 1984

Housing

“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.”

P. W. Botha

As Minister of Defence, interviewed in the New York Times, 28 October 1977

People