"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."

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

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“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.”

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

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

“We do not want chaos in South Africa.”

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