P. W. Botha: Quotes about people

“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.”

P. W. Botha

As cited in Dictionary of South African Quotations, Jennifer Crwys-Williams, Penguin Books 1994, p. 11

People , Idea

“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

“We dare not see ourselves as a chosen people. We are called people - called to a particular task, just as every nation is a called people.”

P. W. Botha

As prime minister, on a Day of the Covenant rally in Hartenbosch, 16 December 1983, as cited in PW Botha in his own words, Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1987, p. 29

People

“The white people who came here lived at a very much higher standard than the indigenous peoples, and with a very rich tradition which they brought with them from Europe.”

P. W. Botha

As cited in Dictionary of South African Quotations, Jennifer Crwys-Williams, Penguin Books 1994, p. 441

People

“I want to warn young people who lend their ears to radicals and who play around with the music from Lusaka - they will end up inside the bear's fur coat, but they will no longer be able to live.”

P. W. Botha

At an election meeting in Pietermaritzburg on 30 April 1987, as cited by Andrew Donaldson, Sunday Times, 5 November 2006

People , Music

“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

“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

“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 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