Pik Botha is born

Updated: 25 Apr 2021

Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of President F.W. de Klerk was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North West Province). Following the advent of democracy, Botha served in the Government of National Unity (GNU) under President Nelson Mandela as Minister of Energy and Minerals Affairs from 1994 until 1996. In 1996, he renounced his National Party membership and retired from politics when De Klerk withdrew from the GNU. However, in 2000 he surprised many when he made an about turn in politics, joined the African National Congress (ANC) and announced his support for Thabo Mbeki.

How we know this

01 Gastrow: Who's Who in South African Politics.
02O'Malley, P., BOTHA, ROELOF FREDERIK (PIK), from Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, [online], Available at www.nelsonmandela.org [Accessed: 29 April 2014]

Last updated · 25 Apr 2021

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Pik Botha is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011524

South African History Online (2011) 'Pik Botha is born', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011524 (Accessed: 15 November 2026).

South African History Online, Pik Botha is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011524, (accessed 15 November 2026).

"Pik Botha is born." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011524. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Pik Botha is born." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011524.