Quotes from Pieter Willem Botha

Because you could not translate the word apartheid into the more universal language of English, the wrong connotation was given to it.

South Africa is not a jellyfish and is in many respects a swordfish.

I never have the nagging doubt of wondering whether perhaps I am wrong.

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.

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.

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.

I am sick and tired of the hollow parrot-cry of Apartheid! Ive said many times that the word Apartheid means good neighbourliness.

Our history is responsible for the differences in the South African way of life.

The free world wants to feed South Africa to the Red Crocodile [communism], to appease its hunger.

Most blacks are happy, except those who have had other ideas pushed into their ears.

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.

I believe we are today crossing the Rubicon, Mr Chairman. In South Africa there can be no turning back. I have a manifesto for the future of our country and we must engage in positive action in the months and years that lie ahead.

There is only one element that can break the Afrikaner ... and that is the Afrikaner himself.

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.