P. W. Botha: Doing

“We do not know what tomorrow will bring. We are not prophets. This is a step in the dark. We can only proceed into the future with faith.”

P. W. Botha

As prime minister, introducing the 4th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 23 May 1980, which envisaged a tricameral corporate federation. Cited in The Star, and Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, PW Botha in his own words, p. 27

Faith , Future

“We do not want chaos in South Africa.”

P. W. Botha

Explaining why cinemas were not open to all races, House of Assembly, April 21, 1983, as cited by Andrew Donaldson, Sunday Times, 5 November 2006

“We do not force people to move to new homes, we coerce them. [Some believe he meant to say "convince"]”

P. W. Botha

Press conference in Switzerland on 2 June 1984, as cited by Andrew Donaldson, Sunday Times, 5 November 2006

People , Home

“No more mine-laying. No more murder. No more abduction of women and children. No more attacks on headmen. No more raids across the border. So long as these conditions do not exist there will be no withdrawal [from South-West Africa] of South African troops.”

P. W. Botha

As Prime Minister to the House of Assembly, 8 March 1979, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 65

Women , Children

“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

“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

“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

“I feel more welcome among the black communities than I do among Coloureds”

P. W. Botha

Upon the resignation of Allan Hendrickse from cabinet, as quoted by Michael Parks, Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-25-mn-4089-story.html, 25 August 1987

Feeling , Communication