PW Botha will be remembered with ”hatred and disgust” as a brutal dictator who presided over a system that denied the majority all their basic human rights, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Thursday.
”His hands were stained with the blood of hundreds who were murdered during the struggle for democracy and liberation under his presidency,” Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said.
”The overwhelming majority of South Africans and the people of the world will remember PW Botha only with hatred and disgust.”
Botha died on Tuesday night.
Cosatu said the former president would be remembered as ”a brutal dictator” and had robbed the majority of their chance to live a normal existence and improve their lives.
The federation rejected the notion that Botha had positively contributed to South Africa’s democratic transformation.
”On the contrary, he remained to the very last a staunch defender of apartheid, racism, dictatorship and inequality, for which he refused to make the slightest apology.”
Any reforms during Botha’s presidency had taken place ”in spite of rather than because of his intentions” and were meant to buy time for the apartheid regime under an illusion of change.
Botha was responsible for the misery of the millions he had condemned to poverty and the pain inflicted on the thousands who were jailed, assaulted and tortured by apartheid state thugs, Craven said.
The African Christian Democratic Party said on Thursday President Thabo Mbeki’s decision to fly the national flag at half mast in recognition of Botha’s death was a sign of ”political maturity”.
”With reference to the claims by some that giving Mr Botha such an honour is a slap in the face, the African Christian Democratic Party strongly disagrees, as we believe that Mr Mbeki has done the right thing,” said the party in a statement.
The Pan African Congress earlier on Thursday slammed the decision and said government’s offer of a state funeral was an insult to African people.
Meanwhile, it was reported that while a few people made the effort to sign the condolences book for PW Botha at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the equivalent at Parliament in Cape Town remained starkly empty on Thursday.
Dozen condolences
But, the large grey book lies ready folded open on a table just inside the Tuynhuys foyer, pen at the ready, should anyone arrive to sign it.
In the entrance to the Pretoria offices from where he once ruled apartheid South Africa, a smiling picture of Botha was again on display.
Next to it, alongside two candles and a flower arrangement with large orange flowers, lies the condolences book, which late on Thursday was signed by only twelve people.
”Deep sympathies for the family,” a simple entry by Essop Pahad, Minister in the Presidency, stated.
Lesetja Rabalao wished Botha would ”rest in democratic peace”, while Marie Tredoux wrote in Afrikaans ”Ons sien jou in die hemel” (We will see you in heaven).
And, while the flag was flown at half-mast at the Union Buildings and Parliament on President Thabo Mbeki’s instructions, it was vastly different from the orange, white and blue one hanging behind Botha in the picture.
‘Brave’
PW Botha was ”brave” in telling his followers to adapt or die, African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.
”This brave statement was not an easy one to make in the then-National Party and was not well received by the party faithful at the time.”
In saying this, Botha told supporters they had to choose between adapting to the inevitable political change or to perish with the system of apartheid.
He ought to be also remembered for seeing the need for change, even though his approach to this was controversial, said Zuma in a statement.
Zuma said he learnt with sadness of Botha’s death.
It was Botha who sent the first emissary to meet with the ANC on possible negotiations — without the knowledge of most of his colleagues, Zuma pointed out.
It was also Botha who allowed justice minister Kobie Coetzee to open dialogue the then-imprisoned former president Nelson Mandela in the 1980s. — Sapa