Former South African President P.W. Botha dies at 90-years-old.

As head of South Africa’s oppressive apartheid government from 1978 to 1979, P.W. Botha ran in its darkest hours. Botha’s tenure will always be remembered for the racial violence spawned from his party’s repressive ideals and methodology.

South Africa was the center of international pressure throughout Botha’s presidency. It was during this time that mounting pressure from human rights groups and governments called for the release of South Africa’s most famous prisoner. Botha refused to free Nelson Mandela despite depicting himself as a leader capable of instituting race reform.

It wasn’t until F.W. de Klerk came to office in 1990 that Mandela was restored his freedom. Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his outspoken views relating to apartheid.

During Botha’s time in office he detained more than 30,000 people who spoke out. Botha earned the nickname “Old Crocodile” for his fierce demeanor and willingness to use brutal force to send a message.

It was that demeanor and temper that brought about his decision to declare a national emergency in 1986. Just three years prior to the declaration Botha had revised the country’s constitution, providing certain ethnic minorities a limited voice in government. Blacks were not included in Botha’s amended constitution.

By 1986 race related violence had saturated the country. The country faced economic sanctions from the international community eventually leading to the demise of apartheid.

Botha died at his home on the southern Cape.