Who was the last Prime Minister of South Africa who defended apartheid?

The last Prime Minister of South Africa who defended apartheid was P.W. Botha. He served as Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984 and continued to uphold and implement apartheid policies during his tenure. Botha attempted to introduce some reforms as he faced growing internal and international pressure against the apartheid system, but he did not abandon the core principles of apartheid. His government was characterized by a commitment to maintaining the status quo of racial segregation and oppression, despite rising dissent from various groups within the country.

Hendrik Verwoerd, who is often referred to as the "architect of apartheid," was also a strong defender of the system, but he was assassinated in 1960, well before Botha's leadership. F.W. de Klerk, who came to power after Botha, is known for dismantling apartheid and for initiating negotiations to end racial segregation in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, on the other hand, was an opponent of apartheid and became the first Black president of South Africa after its abolition.