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Botha

Botha (pronounced in non-rhotic dialects of English, ) is a common Afrikaans surname, derived from the East Frisian Low Saxon Both. It was brought to South Africa in 1678 by Frederich Botha.

The progenitors of the extended clan were Maria Kickers, her first partner Ferdinandùs Appel, and her later husband Frederich Botha.

Descendants of Ferdinandùs Appel

Prior to her marriage to Frederich Botha, Maria Kickers had an out-of-wedlock child fathered by Ferdinandùs Appel, another Hollander from an Amsterdam family. This child, a son named Theunis, was later adopted by the Bothas. His descendants include:

  • Louis Botha (1862–1919), Second Boer War general and first Prime Minister of South Africa, often referred to as "General Botha"
  • Pieter Willem "P.W." Botha (1916–2006), South African prime minister from 1978 to 1984 and state president from 1984 to 1989

Descendants of Frederich Botha

Married in 1714, Kickers and Botha later farmed for a living between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. By 2016, their legal descendants numbered around 76,125 people, and include:

Artists, artisans and businesspeople

  • Danila Botha (born 1982), South African-born Canadian novelist
  • Hannah Botha (1923–2007), South African actress
  • Johan Botha (tenor) (1965–2016), opera singer
  • Leon Botha (1985–2011), South African artist and progeria victim
  • Mike Botha (born 1947), South African-born master diamond cutter
  • Piet Botha (1955–2019), South African rock musician
  • Roelof Botha (born 1973), South African actuary, former PayPal chief financial officer
  • Willem Botha (born 1987), South African singer and actor

Politicians, civil servants, and activists

Rugby players

Cricketers

Other sportspersons

Other uses

References