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

P. W. Botha Politics See all quotes by P. W. Botha →

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More by P. W. Botha

“The acceptance of vertical differentiation with the built-in principle of self-determination must apply on as many levels as possible.”

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

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

“We do not want chaos in South Africa.”

“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.”

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