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Mbeki to attend Botha's funeral Mbeki to attend Botha's funeral
(10 minutes later)
The funeral of PW Botha, the last South African leader to staunchly defend the apartheid system, is to take place, with President Thabo Mbeki attending.The funeral of PW Botha, the last South African leader to staunchly defend the apartheid system, is to take place, with President Thabo Mbeki attending.
Mr Mbeki said on Tuesday a balanced appraisal was needed of Mr Botha's life "to promote nation-building and national reconciliation".Mr Mbeki said on Tuesday a balanced appraisal was needed of Mr Botha's life "to promote nation-building and national reconciliation".
He said it was under Mr Botha that contacts first began with the ANC.He said it was under Mr Botha that contacts first began with the ANC.
The Botha family declined a state funeral and instead are holding it in the Western Cape town of George. But some South Africans view Mr Mbeki's attendance as a betrayal of those who suffered under PW Botha's regime.
The Botha family declined a state funeral and instead are holding it near the family home in the Western Cape town of George.
Hundreds of mourners are expected at a Dutch Reformed Church in the coastal town, which has been festooned with white flowers.Hundreds of mourners are expected at a Dutch Reformed Church in the coastal town, which has been festooned with white flowers.
TributeTribute
There is also a prominent photograph of the former president on display, who died at the age of 90 last Tuesday.There is also a prominent photograph of the former president on display, who died at the age of 90 last Tuesday.
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
Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings.Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings.
Mr Botha's successor, FW de Klerk, who oversaw the dismantling of apartheid, is also expected at the funeral.Mr Botha's successor, FW de Klerk, who oversaw the dismantling of apartheid, is also expected at the funeral.
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.
DebateDebate
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.
A heated debate is taking place on South African radio talk shows on whether Mr Mbeki should attend the funeral.A heated debate is taking place on South African radio talk shows on whether Mr Mbeki should attend the funeral.
Hundreds of African National Congress (ANC) activists went missing or were killed whilst Mr Botha ruled South Africa between 1978 and 1989.Hundreds of African National Congress (ANC) activists went missing or were killed whilst Mr Botha ruled South Africa between 1978 and 1989.
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.
However, a statement from Mr Mbeki's office on Tuesday gave few hints at any bitterness on the part of Mr Mbeki.However, a statement from Mr Mbeki's office on Tuesday gave few hints at any bitterness on the part of Mr Mbeki.
"Mr PW Botha led South Africa during a period of sustained repression against the majority of the population," the statement said."Mr PW Botha led South Africa during a period of sustained repression against the majority of the population," the statement said.
"However, it is also in this period that contact between the apartheid government and the ANC was initiated, ultimately leading - after Mr Botha's retirement - to the unbanning of democratic organisations and the negotiations process which brought about the historic transition in 1994.""However, it is also in this period that contact between the apartheid government and the ANC was initiated, ultimately leading - after Mr Botha's retirement - to the unbanning of democratic organisations and the negotiations process which brought about the historic transition in 1994."
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.