Pik Botha, former South African Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs, retired from politics at the end of June 1996.
Mr Botha was appointed to the cabinet of President Nelson Mandela as Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs. His previous appointment was that of Minister of Foreign Affairs, a portfolio to which he was appointed to in 1977.
Before being appointed minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Botha served as South African ambassador to the United Nations in 1974, and thereafter as ambassador to the United States.
Mr Botha is an advocate by training and obtained his BA and LLB degree from the University of Pretoria. He is a member of the National Party (NP) and was appointed leader for the National Party of the Transvaal in 1992.
Mr Botha was born in Rustenburg on 27 April 1932. He spent his childhood in Rustenburg but matriculated at the Hoer Volkskool Potchefstroom. Mr Botha and his late wife, Helene, have four adult children.
