P. W. Botha

“Uri Friedman: Why did the South African government, in the mid-1970s, decide to embark on a nuclear-weapons program?”

“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.”

“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!” I’ve said many times that the word “Apartheid” means good neighbourliness.”

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

“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 feel more welcome among the black communities than I do among Coloureds”

“Never in the history of this country have so few people done so much for so many without acknowledgement by the international community.”

“No Prime Minister before me has been attacked more viciously than I am today.”

“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.”

“Nelson Mandela can rot in prison until he dies or I die, whichever takes longer.”

“Unfortunately [South Africa] has been badly repaid for her loyalty because the West has expelled her from the family circle while befriending the most dictatorial regimes on Earth.”

“Our enemies latched unto the word "apartheid" and in a very sly manner transformed it into the strongest weapon in the onslaught against freedom and civilization in our country.”

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

“Knowing [Mandela] will start up with violence again, I, as a responsible head of state, must release him so that he can carry on with his violence, and then arrest him? What a nonsensical argument.”