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Former South Africa leader dies Apartheid-era SA president dies
(about 3 hours later)
Former South African President PW Botha has died at his home in the Western Cape at the age of 90 after 17 years in retirement. Former South African President PW Botha has died at his home in the Cape at the age of 90 after 17 years in retirement.
He died peacefully, said a member of his security staff, Frikkie Lucas. He led white minority rule in 1978-89 - during the height of the anti-apartheid struggle. He subsequently said he had no regrets about the way he governed.
Botha, known by Afrikaaners as the Great Crocodile, led white minority rule between 1978 and 1989 - during the height of the anti-apartheid struggle.
He was succeeded by South Africa's last white President, FW de Klerk, who led the country to multi-racial elections.
The former president was regarded as a relic and someone stuck in a bit of a time warp, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg.
He had recently been admitted to hospital for a routine check-up and was then discharged.
The ruling African National Congress, which was outlawed under Botha, was among the first to offer condolences.The ruling African National Congress, which was outlawed under Botha, was among the first to offer condolences.
"The African National Congress wishes his family strength and comfort at this difficult time," it said in a statement. Botha was succeeded by South Africa's last white President FW de Klerk who led the nation to multi-racial polls.
Botha - known by Afrikaners as the Great Crocodile - died peacefully, said a member of his security staff, Frikkie Lucas.
He had recently been admitted to hospital for a routine check-up and was then discharged.
The former president was regarded as a relic and someone stuck in a bit of a time warp, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg.
The African National Congress issued a brief statement on Botha's death.
"The African National Congress wishes his family strength and comfort at this difficult time," it said.
'No regrets''No regrets'
During his rule, Botha defied international criticism and refused to release Nelson Mandela, the country's most famous political prisoner.During his rule, Botha defied international criticism and refused to release Nelson Mandela, the country's most famous political prisoner.
Botha was later summoned to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a panel set up by then President Mandela's government to probe abuses. In 1989, Mandela held talks with Botha.
In 1998 the panel concluded that Botha was guilty of gross human rights violations. Not only will we survive (sanctions), we will emerge stronger on the other side PW Botha after international sanctions imposed on SA href="/1/hi/world/africa/2281566.stm" class="">Obituary: PW Botha
Mandela - who was freed in 1990 - later recalled going into the meeting with Botha thinking that he would see "the very model of the old-fashioned, stiff-necked, stubborn Afrikaner who did not so much discuss matters with black leaders as dictate to them".
But he said he found Botha holding out his hand and smiling broadly "and in fact, from that very first moment, he completely disarmed me". However, Botha refused to free Mandela and other prisoners.
In the 1990s, Botha was summoned to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a panel set up by then President Mandela's government to probe abuses.
The panel concluded in 1998 that Botha was guilty of gross human rights violations.
Thousands were detained without trial during his presidency, while others were tortured and killed. However, he refused to apologise for apartheid.Thousands were detained without trial during his presidency, while others were tortured and killed. However, he refused to apologise for apartheid.
Although some cosmetic reforms were introduced in 1983, allowing Indians and Coloureds into parliament, Botha made no headway in terms of advancing political freedom. State funeral
He failed to satisfy those on either side of the country's racial divide - or international opinion - and eventually resigned after a power struggle within his cabinet. Although some cosmetic reforms were introduced in 1983, allowing the Asian and mixed-race communities into parliament, Botha made no headway in terms of advancing political freedom.
He led a quiet life with his second wife Barbara in a seaside resort in on the Western Cape coast for almost two decades. He imposed a state emergency in 1986 after South Africa's black majority did not accept his reforms.
Botha failed to satisfy those on either side of the country's racial divide - or international opinion - and eventually resigned after a power struggle within his cabinet.
He led a quiet life with his second wife Barbara in a seaside village of Wilderness, about 350km (220 miles) east of Cape Town, for almost two decades.
In a interview to mark his 90th birthday he suggested that he had no regrets about the way he ran the country.In a interview to mark his 90th birthday he suggested that he had no regrets about the way he ran the country.
Mr Botha will be given a state funeral - the first for more than 20 years.Mr Botha will be given a state funeral - the first for more than 20 years.