Sandra Botha

Sandra Botha is a South African politician who served as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly from 2007 to 2009. She was also a member of the National Assembly and served as House Chairperson from 2004 to 2009. She later served as South Africa's ambassador to the Czech Republic. Quotes “The element of myself which has brought me to here, from the Free State farm, into this particular position, which means expressing what I feel and think, has found resonance with other people, with our constituency and even beyond.” Helen Suzman Foundation “I thought it shows you that you must stand on the side of those who need help, not on the other side. That’s a politician’s role. Primarily we are there to be the voice of the people who can be oppressed; the others can probably speak for themselves.” Helen Suzman Foundation “It is essential to retain a large number of power centres. This includes the separation of powers and the divisions between government and opposition, the public and the private domain, church and state, and government and the media.” Helen Suzman Foundation “I want maximum personal freedom and minimum government, but alongside my burgeoning hope that this is what everyone wants, looms the fatal attraction of unbridled power.” South African History Online “When the opposition cooperate around shared values of openness, accountability and honest, efficient government, the people prosper.” Mail & Guardian “We were very keen on it, we wanted some short-term advantage out of it, and we suffered badly as a result. It was very damaging to support it. The legislation that we passed is complex nonsense. It’s a ridiculous law, and we actually went in there because we wanted a short-term gain. Now we’ve turned completely; we want to get rid of it because we’ve seen how stupid it is to take such a short-term view.” Mail & Guardian I cannot for a moment believe that is the intentional outcome of what you would like to achieve, but it is the outcome and, Mr President, you must take responsibility for it Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) While acknowledging that South Africa was much better than 15 or 30 years ago, it would be wrong to be self-congratulatory or complacent, Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) We could have done better... (and) we absolutely have to do better. Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) Have we, after 13 years of freedom, succeeded in offering this young girl a reasonable chance to become the woman she wants to be to fulfil her own potential; to realise her dreams? Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) We have not succeeded... because the health and education policies of this government and its predecessors have been ill-conceived, its management has been deficient and it has displayed scant ability to learn from its mistakes. Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) just as we do in other critical sites of delivery, and to concentrate on a system of meaningful incentives for excellent teachers, if we are to head off a national crisis Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) f South Africa's history teaches us anything, it must surely be that the creation of second-class citizens is unjust and breeds resentment that turns into resistance. Failures mar Mbeki's presidency, says Botha iol.co.za(June13,2007) Since the beginning of 2007, the Democratic Alliance has submitted nine written parliamentary questions to President Thabo Mbeki. DA accuses Mbeki of disrespecting Parliament mg.co.za(November1,2007) As of today [Thursday], November 1, the president has failed to respond to a single one of them, DA accuses Mbeki of disrespecting Parliament mg.co.za(November1,2007) The President’s attitude constitutes yet further evidence of the growing disdain the executive seems to have for Parliament and its oversight function, DA accuses Mbeki of disrespecting Parliament mg.co.za(November1,2007) It is quite clear from his actions that the president has little respect for Parliament [and] he does not like being held to account. DA accuses Mbeki of disrespecting Parliament mg.co.za(November1,2007) He does not like having to answer questions about his conduct and the government’s actions and, in turn, he continues to disrespect two key constitutional requirements: oversight and accountability, DA accuses Mbeki of disrespecting Parliament mg.co.za(November1,2007) More disturbing still, his disdain for Parliament seems to be rubbing off on the rest of the executive, DA accuses Mbeki of disrespecting Parliament mg.co.za(November1,2007) We need to be forewarned and forearmed... 50 million job losses projected globally is certainly nothing less. This is clearly a highly complex problem that needs complex stakeholders-negotiated solutions and even radical change, Opposition parties on Monday expressed concern over the ANC-led government's "soft" response to the devastating impact of the global financial crisis. polity.org.za(February9,2009) Now is certainly the time for government to invest in our economy, as global demand for our commodities drops off rapidly. Opposition parties on Monday expressed concern over the ANC-led government's "soft" response to the devastating impact of the global financial crisis. polity.org.za(February9,2009) The... crisis presents us with an exciting opportunity for massive investments in renewable energy, which will not only create hundreds of thousands of jobs, but also provide sustainable energy for our people and position us as a world leader in combating climate change Opposition parties on Monday expressed concern over the ANC-led government's "soft" response to the devastating impact of the global financial crisis. polity.org.za(February9,2009) leaving victims of domestic violence in the lurch" and called on civil society "to step in where the government is currently failing Victims of domestic violence left in lurch' iol.co.za(November26,2008) continue to highlight the importance of the participation of men and the boy-child in the fight against gender-based violence Victims of domestic violence left in lurch' iol.co.za(November26,2008) We need infrastructure and human resources (for dealing with gender-based violence)... (the government) must put buildings up, staff them, and maintain them Victims of domestic violence left in lurch' iol.co.za(November26,2008) (These sectors) must come up with a system that works for all... things must be organised in a coherent way. Victims of domestic violence left in lurch' iol.co.za(November26,2008) all the provisions of the (Domestic Violence Act) are adhered to and implemented 'Victims of domestic violence left in lurch' iol.co.za(November26,2008) The [DA], along with a range of other regional and international actors and organisations, is of the conviction that unless firm and decisive action is taken to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis, the situation will spiral out of control, with devastating consequences for the people of that country and for the Southern Africa region as a whole, DA to present proposals on resolving Zim crisis mg.co.za (APRIL 25,2008) The sanctions would have to be imposed as an absolute last resort, with every effort made to avoid unnecessary suffering for ordinary Zimbabweans. DA to present proposals on resolving Zim crisis mg.co.za (APRIL 25,2008) The opportunity for a new majority to start emerging is now and the DA's doors are open for business, ANC 'putting country's stability at risk' iol.co.za(September24,2008) External links Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:Politicians from South Africa Category:Activists from South Africa Category:Women activists