14 moments

1. Birth near Paul Roux

   1916-01-12 · Paul Roux district, Free State, South Africa

   Botha was born on a farm in the Paul Roux district of the Orange Free State. Coordinates represent Paul Roux; the specific birth farm is not identified in the source.

2. Law study at Grey University College

   1934-01-01 · Grey University College, Bloemfontein, South Africa

   Botha entered Grey University College in Bloemfontein to study law, leaving before completing his degree to pursue politics. Coordinates are for the University of the Free State campus, successor to Grey University College.

3. Founding the Ossewabrandwag Cape Town branch

   1939-01-01 · Cape Town, South Africa

   Botha joined the Ossewabrandwag and helped establish its Cape Town branch during his early nationalist political activity. The source identifies the Cape Town branch but not a specific venue or date within 1939.

4. Visit to Robben Island

   1979-01-01 · Robben Island, Western Cape, South Africa

   

   As prime minister, Botha made a routine visit to Robben Island, becoming the first South African premier recorded as visiting the prison island. The source supports January 1979 but not a day.

5. Tour of Soweto

   1979-08-31 · Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa

   Botha toured Soweto with cabinet ministers, visiting selected schools, a nursery, and other sites in the township. Coordinates represent central Soweto; the report describes multiple stops in the township.

6. Official visit to Taiwan

   1980-10-01 · Taiwan

   Botha visited Taiwan as prime minister with Foreign Minister R. F. Botha and other officials, receiving the Order of Propitious Clouds from President Chiang Ching-kuo. The United Nations document supports Taiwan but does not identify a city; coordinates are a representative point for Taiwan.

7. Executive-presidential inauguration

   1984-09-14 · Groote Kerk, Cape Town, South Africa

   

   Botha took the oath of office as South Africa's first executive president and then addressed the public in Cape Town. Groote Kerk is the main Dutch Reformed church near Parliament referenced by the source.

8. Rubicon speech

   1985-08-15 · Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

   Botha delivered the Rubicon speech to a National Party meeting, rejecting immediate major reforms to apartheid despite international expectations. Coordinates represent central Durban; the source does not specify the venue.

9. Second visit to Taiwan

   1986-01-01 · Taiwan

   Botha returned to Taiwan as state president during the period of close Republic of China–South Africa relations. The source gives only the year and Taiwan as a whole; coordinates are a representative point for Taiwan.

10. Retirement at Die Anker

    1989-01-01 · Die Anker, Wilderness, Western Cape, South Africa

    After leaving the state presidency, Botha and Elize Botha retired to Die Anker in Wilderness on the Western Cape coast. The source does not specify a retirement date more precise than the post-presidency period; coordinates represent Wilderness.

11. Compromise meetings with de Klerk

    1989-04-01 · Cape Town, South Africa

    

    Botha and F. W. de Klerk held acrimonious meetings in Cape Town and reached a compromise over Botha's retirement timetable. The source places the compromise after 1 April 1989 but does not give an exact meeting date or venue.

12. George Regional Court appearance

    1998-01-23 · George Regional Court, George, Western Cape, South Africa

    Botha appeared in George Regional Court after being charged over his refusal to comply with a Truth and Reconciliation Commission subpoena. Coordinates represent the George court precinct.

13. TRC-related prosecution

    1998-06-01 · Magistrate's Court, George, Western Cape, South Africa

    Botha was prosecuted at the magistrate's court in George in connection with his refusal to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The source supports proceedings from 1 through 5 June 1998; coordinates represent the George court precinct.

14. Death at Die Anker

    2006-10-31 · Die Anker, Wilderness, Western Cape, South Africa

    Botha died of natural causes at his home in Wilderness, Die Anker, aged 90. Coordinates represent Wilderness; the source identifies his home but does not publish a street-level location.