Condolences, memories flow as PW dies
2006-11-01 13:18
Cape Town - Tributes, condolences and some less-than-fond memories flowed on Wednesday as friends and foes marked the passing of former state president PW Botha.
Former president Nelson Mandela said the death of Botha, at his Wilderness home on Tuesday night at the age of 90, should serve as a reminder of the country's "horribly divided past".
However, it should also serve to remind South Africans of how citizens of all persuasions ultimately came together to save the country from destruction, he said.
"While to many Mr Botha will remain a symbol of apartheid, we also remember him for the steps he took to pave the way towards the eventual peacefully negotiated settlement in our country," said Mandela.
Mandela expressed his sincere condolences to Botha's wife, Barbara, and the rest of his family.
President Thabo Mbeki, speaking, he said, on behalf of the "people of South Africa", also expressed "heartfelt condolences" to Botha's wife and family.
Keenly aware of need for reform
"Mr Botha took over the reins of government at a difficult time in the history of our country," he said in a statement.
"It stands to his credit that when he realised the futility of fighting against what was right and inevitable, he, in his own way, realised that South Africans had no alternative but to reach out to one another."
FW de Klerk, who ousted Botha from the presidency in 1989, said Botha had been keenly aware of the need for reform in South Africa.
"He allowed free trade union activity and presided over the repeal of almost 100 discriminatory laws, including pass laws, the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act," said De Klerk.
It was also under Botha's leadership that the government first made contact with Mandela and African National Congress leaders in exile.
"I should like to honour PW Botha for the enormous contribution that he made to preparing the way to the new South Africa."
He said that on a personal level, his relationship with Botha was often strained. "I did not like his overbearing leadership style," said De Klerk.
A bad-tempered, irate debater and a bully
Another political veteran, former opposition MP Helen Suzman, said her relationship with Botha in Parliament had been anything but amicable.
"He was a bad-tempered, irate debater and a bully, and often very personal in his attacks.
"He actually accused me in parliament immediately after Dr Verwoerd was assassinated [in 1966] of having been responsible for it, together with, as he put it, 'the other liberals'."
"Notwithstanding, I do send condolences to his family."
Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said Botha would not be forgotten.
Though he presided over a South Africa which was engulfed by the beginnings of civil war, relying on the state security apparatus to suppress unrest, it was also under Botha that the National Party started to turn its back on Verwoerdian apartheid, Leon said.
In a terse statement, the ANC said it extended its sympathies and condolences to Botha's family, friends and colleagues.
The Afrikanerbond said many facets of Botha's life were controversial, but the organisation wanted to express its great appreciation for the former president's contribution.
Funeral delayed
"In later life he did not always get the recognition he so richly deserved," the bond said in a statement.
"History will judge him as a man who with great energy made a vital contribution to placing South Africa on a course that made a better life possible for all its people.."
Botha's wife Barbara said from the couple's Wilderness home on Wednesday morning that the funeral service was provisionally planned for November 8, thought this still had to be confirmed with the minister.
The ceremony was being delayed to allow for people who had to travel from overseas.
She said her husband had not wanted a state funeral. Mrs Botha said Botha's death was completely unexpected.
"He was just so well," she said. "He just said to me, he's a little bit weary. We went off to the bedroom to have an early night.
"He took my arm and he just sank slowly to the ground, and drew his last breath... What grace that he was spared any suffering."
Mrs Botha said it felt for her as if a huge chunk had been "bitten out of South Africa" with her husband's death.
His critics would probably realise one day what the country had had in him. "He was a very misunderstood man," she said.
"I'm very blessed to have been part of his life for more than eight years. It was a privilege that God used me to look after him and be part of his life."
- SAPA