This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6125054.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Apartheid-era leader remembered Apartheid-era leader remembered
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral of PW Botha, the last South African leader to staunchly defend the apartheid system, has taken place with President Thabo Mbeki in attendance.The funeral of PW Botha, the last South African leader to staunchly defend the apartheid system, has taken place with President Thabo Mbeki in attendance.
Some South Africans have viewed Mr Mbeki's attendance as a betrayal of those who suffered during apartheid.Some South Africans have viewed Mr Mbeki's attendance as a betrayal of those who suffered during apartheid.
Inside the church in the Western Cape, Mr Botha's coffin was adorned with white roses and lilies, and the service was broadcast live on tv and radio.Inside the church in the Western Cape, Mr Botha's coffin was adorned with white roses and lilies, and the service was broadcast live on tv and radio.
Hundreds of mourners were at the Dutch Reformed Church in the town of George.Hundreds of mourners were at the Dutch Reformed Church in the town of George.
Mr Mbeki and his wife, Zanele, sat alongside the last white president of South Africa, FW De Klerk who oversaw apartheid's dismantling.
Also at the funeral was the former head of the armed forces during the apartheid era, Gen Constand Viljoen and a few members of the former National Party government.
Director-General of the Presidency, the Reverend Frank Chikane, whom Botha's apartheid regime once tried to poison, was also among the mourners.
There was a prominent photograph of the former president on display at the church. A private burial is following the service.There was a prominent photograph of the former president on display at the church. A private burial is following the service.
Bury the past or the past will bury you Bahjat Batarseh
During the sermon, mourners were told that South Africans should not dwell on the past.
"Bury the past or the past will bury you," Jordanian Christian missionary Dr Bahjat Batarseh said.
Having bitterness by remembering the past all the time is "like a worm that eats the root of a tree and then the tree collapses," he said.
TributeTribute
Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings since he died at the age of 90 last Tuesday. At the service, Mr Mbeki and his wife, Zanele, sat alongside the last white president of South Africa, FW De Klerk who oversaw apartheid's dismantling.
PW BOTHA 1916: Born 12 January1948: Elected MP1966: Defence minister1978: PM of South Africa1984: Executive president1989: Resigns the presidency2006: Dies, aged 90 Botha era rememberedPW BOTHA 1916: Born 12 January1948: Elected MP1966: Defence minister1978: PM of South Africa1984: Executive president1989: Resigns the presidency2006: Dies, aged 90 Botha era remembered
Also at the funeral was the former head of the armed forces during the apartheid era, Gen Constand Viljoen and a few members of the former National Party government.
Director-General of the Presidency, the Reverend Frank Chikane, whom Botha's apartheid regime once tried to poison, was also among the mourners.
Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings since he died at the age of 90 last Tuesday.
He was at the same level as Hitler was, and should be treated as a pariah by peace-loving people Cosatu
President Mbeki said on Tuesday that a balanced appraisal was needed of Mr Botha's life "to promote national reconciliation".President Mbeki said on Tuesday that a balanced appraisal was needed of Mr Botha's life "to promote national reconciliation".
He said it was under Mr Botha that contacts first began with the African National Congress (ANC)He said it was under Mr Botha that contacts first began with the African National Congress (ANC)
The first post-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is not attending, but has paid tribute to Mr Botha - describing him as "a symbol of apartheid" but recalling that he had taken steps towards an eventual peacefully negotiated settlement.The first post-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is not attending, but has paid tribute to Mr Botha - describing him as "a symbol of apartheid" but recalling that he had taken steps towards an eventual peacefully negotiated settlement.
Debate Heated exchanges
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says that even though Mr Botha had become politically irrelevant during his years in retirement, his death has sparked new debate in a nation that wants so much to put the past behind it.
PW Botha was known as the Big Crocodile for his tough stance
Newspapers in South Africa had few kind words to say about Mr Botha calling him apartheid's last great champion.Newspapers in South Africa had few kind words to say about Mr Botha calling him apartheid's last great champion.
And a heated debate took place on South African radio talk shows on whether Mr Mbeki should attend the funeral. And there were heated exchanges on South African radio talk shows about whether Mr Mbeki should attend the funeral.
Hundreds of ANC activists went missing or were killed whilst Mr Botha ruled South Africa between 1978 and 1989.Hundreds of ANC activists went missing or were killed whilst Mr Botha ruled South Africa between 1978 and 1989.
Ahead of the funeral, The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Western Cape likened Mr Botha to former German dictator Adolf Hitler.
"He was the devil personified at the same level that Hitler was, and should be treated as a pariah by peace-loving people," Cosatu said in a statement.
Mr Mbeki's eldest son, Kwanda, is believed to have been killed by agents of the apartheid government under Mr Botha.Mr Mbeki's eldest son, Kwanda, is believed to have been killed by agents of the apartheid government under Mr Botha.
After the end of apartheid, Mr Botha refused to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated apartheid crimes and offered amnesty to those who confessed and showed remorse.After the end of apartheid, Mr Botha refused to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated apartheid crimes and offered amnesty to those who confessed and showed remorse.
This confirmed many people's view that he represented white South Africans who had failed to adapt to change and clung to old privileges and prejudices.This confirmed many people's view that he represented white South Africans who had failed to adapt to change and clung to old privileges and prejudices.