Botha, P. W., << BOH tuh, P. W. >> (1916-2006), served as the head of South Africa’s government from 1978 to 1989. He became prime minister in 1978. In 1984, when South Africa’s government was reorganized, Botha was elected state president.
Botha entered Parliament in 1948 and became minister of defense in 1966. He gained a reputation as a tough and ruthless leader. After becoming prime minister, he faced growing opposition to apartheid, the government’s racial segregation policy. Botha unexpectedly relaxed or repealed several apartheid laws. He also led efforts to restructure the government. In 1984, Parliament was changed to include representation for the nation’s Coloured (mixed-race) and Asian populations. But black people were excluded from the new Parliament.
Many black people staged demonstrations, and some rioted, to protest their continued exclusion. Botha used police and military forces to crush these outbreaks. Many countries restricted trade with South Africa to protest Botha’s actions, but he maintained his harsh policies. Criticism from white South Africans grew. In 1989, Botha suffered a stroke and resigned as state president.
Pieter Willem Botha was born on Jan. 12, 1916, in the Paul Roux district, near the town of Bethlehem, South Africa. He studied law at the University of the Orange Free State (now the University of the Free State). Botha died on Oct. 31, 2006.
See also Apartheid ; South Africa, History of (The end of apartheid) .
