Well-known South African politician, Pieter Willem (PW) Botha was born on January 12, 1916 in Paul Roux, Orange Free State.
He was the leader of South Africa from 1978 to 1989, serving as the last Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989.
At the age 30 Botha was elected head of the National Youth Party in 1946.
Two years later he won a race for the House of Assembly as representative of George.
This was in the general election which saw the beginning of the National Party’s 46 years in power in South Africa.
He died on October 31, 2006 of a heart attack at his home in Wilderness.
