Background
Stephanus Botha was born on May 5, 1922, at Goede Hoop farm outside Lusaka, now Zambia s capital, son of a Transvaaler who moved north after the Boer War.
Stephanus Botha was born on May 5, 1922, at Goede Hoop farm outside Lusaka, now Zambia s capital, son of a Transvaaler who moved north after the Boer War.
Educated at local primary school, then sent to South Africa to matriculate at Paarl Boys High School, Cape Province. After three years studying law he switched to economics and was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1945.
He entered Parliament for Soutpansberg and became chairman of the Nationalist Party’s Lands Group. His rise in the party was highlighted by being made an alternative trustee on the board of the Dagbreek and Vaderland newspapers. Early in 1968 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Water Affairs and a few months later he was put in charge as Minister.
Persuasive Parliamentarian and trusted member of Prime Minister Vorster’s inner circle, chosen to accompany President Fouche on his state visit to Malawi in March 1972. Skilled in public relations and influential on newspaper boards.