President's Council

State President of South Africa Staatspresident van Suid-Afrika
Coat of Arms of South Africa
Frederik Willem de Klerk
Style	The Honourable (until 1985)
Appointer	Parliament of South Africa
Term length	7 years (until 1984) Duration of Parliament (normally 5 years) (1984–94)
Formation	31 May 1961 (ceremonial) 15 August 1984 (executive)
First holder	Charles Robberts Swart
Final holder	Frederik Willem de Klerk
Abolished	10 May 1994
Succession	President of South Africa
Deputy	Vice State President of South Africa (1981–1984)

State President (Afrikaans: Staatspresident) was the title of 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 monarch of South Africa. The position of Governor-General of the Union of South Africa was accordingly abolished.

Republicanism had long been a plank in the platform of the ruling National Party. However, it was not until 1960, 12 years after it took power, that it was able to hold a referendum on the issue. A narrow majority—52 percent— of the minority white electorate voted in favour of abolishing the monarchy and declaring South Africa a republic.

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. The title 'State President' was originally used for the head of state of the Boer Republics, and like them, the holder of the office wore a sash with the Republic's coat of arms. He was elected to a seven-year term by the Parliament of South Africa, and was not eligible for re-election.

The 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. As such, the State President performed mostly ceremonial duties, and was required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. In practice, the post of State President was a sinecure for retired National Party ministers, as the Governor-General's post had been since 1948. Consequently, all State Presidents from 1961 to 1984 were white, Afrikaner, male, and over 65.