| State President of South Africa 1961-1994 |
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| Style | His Excellency |
| Appointer | Parliament of South Africa |
| Term length | 5 Years |
| Inaugural holder | Charles Robberts Swart |
| Formation | 31 May 1961 15 August 1989 (Executive Powers) |
| Deputy | Vice State President of South Africa (1981-1984) |
State President, or Staatspresident in Afrikaans, was South Africa's head of state from 1961 to 1994. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1961, and Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of state. The position of Governor-General of the Union of South Africa was accordingly abolished.
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Ceremonial post
The Republic of South Africa was proclaimed on 31 May 1961. Charles Robberts Swart, the last Governor-General, was sworn in as the first State President. Like Paul Kruger, and other presidents of Boer republics, the State President wore a sash with the Republic's coat of arms, but performed mainly ceremonial duties. The ruling National Party decided against having an executive presidency, instead adopting a minimalist approach, as a conciliatory gesture to English-speaking whites who were opposed to a republic. The President was elected by the Parliament. Like Governors-General before them, State Presidents were retired National Party ministers, and consequently, white, Afrikaner, and male.
Executive post
Following constitutional reforms, in 1984, the office of State President became an executive post, as in the United States, and the office of Prime Minister of South Africa was abolished. P. W. Botha became the new State President, until his resignation in 1989, when he was replaced by F. W. de Klerk, who oversaw the transition to majority rule in 1994.
End of white minority rule
Under South Africa's first non-racial Constitution, adopted in 1994, the head of state (and of government) was known simply as the President. Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress, was sworn in as President on 11 May 1994.
List of State Presidents
| # | Name | Picture | Life span | Took office | Left office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Presidents as head of state (Ceremonial, 1961-1984) | ||||||
| 1 | Charles Robberts Swart |  |
1894 — 1982 | 31 May 1961 | 31 May 1967 | National Party |
| 2 | Theophilus Ebenhaezer Dönges | 1898 — 1968 | 31 May 1967 | 10 December 1967 | National Party | |
| — | Jozua François Naudé (Acting) |
1889 — 1969 | 1 June 1967 | 10 April 1968 | National Party | |
| 3 | Jacobus Johannes Fouché | 1898 — 1980 | 10 April 1968 | 9 April 1975 | National Party | |
| — | Johannes de Klerk (Acting) |
1903 — 1979 | 9 April 1975 | 19 April 1975 | National Party | |
| 4 | Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs | 1903 — 1978 | 19 April 1975 | 21 August 1978 (died in office) |
National Party | |
| — | Marais Viljoen (Acting) |
1915 — 2007 | 21 August 1978 | 10 October 1978 | National Party | |
| 5 | Balthazar Johannes Vorster | 1915 — 1983 | 10 October 1978 | 4 June 1979 (resigned) |
National Party | |
| 6 | Marais Viljoen (2nd time) | 1915 — 2007 | 19 June 1979 Acting since 4 June 1979 |
3 September 1984 | National Party | |
| State Presidents as Head of State and Government (Executive, 1984-1994) | ||||||
| 1 | Pieter Willem Botha | 1916 — 2006 | 14 September 1984 Acting since 3 September 1984 |
15 August 1989 (resigned) |
National Party | |
| — | Chris Heunis (Acting) |
1927 — 2006 | 19 January 1989 | 15 March 1989 | National Party | |
| 2 | Frederik Willem de Klerk |  |
1936 — | 20 September 1989 Acting since 15 August 1989 |
10 May 1994 | National Party |
See also
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