Last night, at about 20:00 local time, the man know as "The Old Crocodile" last truly Apartheid President of South Africa, Former President PW Botha passed away at the age of 90.

Quote:
The San Diego Union-Tribune, August 16, 1985--President P.W. Botha: "I am not prepared to lead white South Africans and other minority groups on a road to abdication and suicide."




He became Prime-minster in 1978, and immediately started reforming the government system, abolishing the offices of State -president and Prime-Minister and becoming first president of South Africa.

He used to be minster of Defense, and his very close relationship with the armed forces was very worrying for many democratic minded people even in his own party.

He announced reforms in the country, starting separate Parliaments for colourd and Indian South Africans, apart form the white Parliament (which had much much more power than the other 2), but would no allow a Parliament for black people. He also pushed the development of separate states for black South Africans.

He created the State Security Counsel, which had the safety of the country as it's main goal. It consisted of himself, and generals from the military and police and Intelligence officials. No member of Parliament or cabinet was allowed on this, and gave him powers close to that of a dictator (an elected dictator,what an idea).

Under him violence by police and army against civilians increased drastically, and the war in Angola escalated.

He was finally forced from office by his own cabinet in 1988 after he had a stroke, and replaced by the much more moderate FW de Klerk.

PW Botha who personally ordered the death of many South Africans refused to appear in front of the Truth and Reconciliation commission. He came back to fame in 2001 when Bishop Tutu went to meet him at his home to resolve this issue. He met Archbishop Tutu at the gate of his estate, saying "I do not allow terrorists into my house"

It is strange - the white right wing hate him, since they say his reforms was the beginning of the end for white rule in SA. The white liberals hate him, because he was an undemocratic leader who's reforms was make-up and not true. And blacks hate him since he caused the death of many of them.

He died yesterday, and no one really cares, no one is really sad.

And that makes me sad - how could one man have gotten it soooo wrong.

Anyway, doubt if any of you care. But just thought I'd let you know, the old Crocodile is dead, long live Democracy in South Africa

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