JOHANESSBURG: Former South African foreign minister Roelof "Pik" Botha, whose lengthy profession in govt straddled both the apartheid technology and the presidency of Nelson Mandela, has died aged 86, local media reported Friday. Botha served as foreign minister for 17 years until the end of apartheid in 1994, after which joined Mandela's cupboard after the end of white-minority rule and the country's first non-racial election in 1994. "As you know, originally we were enemies," Botha advised the BBC in 2013.
"From our point of view, (Mandela) led an organisation which we regarded as a terrorist organisation they usually noticed themselves as freedom warring parties.
"Of direction all that needed to trade. It is not always that straightforward and simple to change psychological attitudes, mindsets but sooner or later it did trade. He performed the role of a saviour." Botha was described by some as a "just right man operating for a foul govt" regardless of years protecting the apartheid system.
He had several clashes with the hardline govt of president P.W. Botha, who was once no relation.
In 1985, he drafted a speech that urged Mandela could be launched from prison -- which didn't happen until 1990.
The following year he mentioned that the country may just in the future be ruled by way of a black president, earning a public rebuke from his boss.
Botha served as mines and effort minister in Mandela's govt prior to retiring in 1996. Piet Botha advised News24 that his father died in his sleep all over the evening.
"His wife Ina was once with him until the end," he mentioned.
"He was once very sick all over the last three weeks and his frame simply could not take it anymore".
"From our point of view, (Mandela) led an organisation which we regarded as a terrorist organisation they usually noticed themselves as freedom warring parties.
"Of direction all that needed to trade. It is not always that straightforward and simple to change psychological attitudes, mindsets but sooner or later it did trade. He performed the role of a saviour." Botha was described by some as a "just right man operating for a foul govt" regardless of years protecting the apartheid system.
He had several clashes with the hardline govt of president P.W. Botha, who was once no relation.
In 1985, he drafted a speech that urged Mandela could be launched from prison -- which didn't happen until 1990.
The following year he mentioned that the country may just in the future be ruled by way of a black president, earning a public rebuke from his boss.
Botha served as mines and effort minister in Mandela's govt prior to retiring in 1996. Piet Botha advised News24 that his father died in his sleep all over the evening.
"His wife Ina was once with him until the end," he mentioned.
"He was once very sick all over the last three weeks and his frame simply could not take it anymore".
South Africa's apartheid-era foreign minister Pik Botha dies, aged 86
![South Africa's apartheid-era foreign minister Pik Botha dies, aged 86]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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October 12, 2018
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