A hard-liner becomes John Vorster 's successor
It was the first time in 20 years and only the second time in its 30-year rule that South Africa's National Party had needed a ballot to determine its new leader. All three declared candidates, representing rival segments within the party, had remained in the race until the end. As the 172-member party caucus proceeded through two rounds of secret balloting, tension mounted in the crowd gathered outside Capetown's white-columned senate building. Finally the doors opened: Defense Minister Pieter W. ("P.W.") Botha, 62, an uncompromising...
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