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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, is taking 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 view 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.
The Botha family declined a state funeral and instead are holding it near the family home in the Western Cape. 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 are at a Dutch Reformed Church in the coastal town of George, bedecked with white flowers. Hundreds of mourners were at the Dutch Reformed Church in the town of George.
FW De Klerk, Mr Botha's successor who oversaw apartheid's dismantling, is also at the funeral as is the former head of the armed forces during the apartheid era, General Constand Viljoen. Mr Mbeki and his wife, Zanele, sat alongside the last white president of South Africa, FW De Klerk who oversaw apartheid's dismantling.
There is a prominent photograph of the former president on display at the church. A private burial will follow the service. 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.
TributeTribute
Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings since he died at the age of 90 last Tuesday.Flags have been flown at half-mast from government buildings since he 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
President Mr Mbeki, who is attending the ceremony accompanied by his wife, Zanele, 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.
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.
And a heated debate took place on South African radio talk shows on whether Mr Mbeki should attend the funeral.And a heated debate took place on South African radio talk shows on 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.
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.