Is P. W. Botha A-List?
No — P. W. Botha is currently ranked D tier — a minor public figure with limited fame outside a small audience.
Reached A-list in 1984
Becomes State President
Lost A-list status in 1989
Dropped to B tier — Resigns as President
Ranking Timeline
Elected to Parliament
Enters parliament as a member of the National Party.
Becomes Prime Minister
Appointed as the Prime Minister of South Africa, solidifying his power.
Becomes State President
Becomes the first executive State President of South Africa.
Resigns as President
Resigns as President amid growing pressure, replaced by F.W. de Klerk.
Refuses to Testify
Refuses to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Death of P.W. Botha
Dies at the age of 90, leaving a controversial legacy.
Legacy of Apartheid
Remembered as a key figure in the apartheid regime, his legacy is one of division and repression.
Last updated: February 25, 2026