Pieter Willem Botha (1916 – 2006)
Commonly known as "PW", was the prime minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive state president from 1984 to 1989.
The free world wants to feed South Africa to the Red Crocodile [communism], to appease its hunger.
Because you could not translate the word apartheid into the more universal language of English, the wrong connotation was given to it.
We do not force people to move to new homes, we coerce them. [Some believe he meant to say "convince"]
The people who are opposing the policy of apartheid have not the courage of their convictions. They do not marry non-Europeans.
The acceptance of vertical differentiation with the built-in principle of self-determination must apply on as many levels as possible.
We do not want chaos in South Africa.
There is only one element that can break the Afrikaner ... and that is the Afrikaner himself.
I never have the nagging doubt of wondering whether perhaps I am wrong.
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.
South Africa is not a jellyfish and is in many respects a swordfish.
You could not claim for yourself that which you were not prepared to grant others.
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.
Most blacks are happy, except those who have had other ideas pushed into their ears.
Our history is responsible for the differences in the South African way of life.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nelson Mandela can rot in prison until he dies or I die, whichever takes longer.