Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, also known as H. F. Verwoerd, was a South African politician, scholar, and newspaper editor who was Prime Minister of South Africa and is commonly regarded as the architect of apartheid and nicknamed the "father of apartheid". Verwoerd played a significant role in socially engineering apartheid, the country's system of institutionalized racial segregation and white supremacy, and implementing its policies, as Minister of Native Affairs (1950–1958) and then as prime minister (1958–1966). Furthermore, Verwoerd played a vital role in helping the far-right National Party come to power in 1948, serving as their political strategist and propagandist, becoming party leader upon his premiership. He was the Union of South Africa's last prime minister, from 1958 to 1961, when he proclaimed the founding of the Republic of South Africa, remaining its prime minister until his assassination in 1966.
Verwoerd in 1960
Hendrik Verwoerd in 1945
The first Verwoerd Cabinet in 1958. Front (left to right) : Eben Dönges, Paul Sauer, Hendrik Verwoerd, E. G. Jansen, C. R. Swart and Eric Louw. Back (left to right) : J. J. Serfontein, M. D. C. de Wet, A. J. R. van Rhijn, Jan de Klerk, Ben Schoeman, P. K. Le Roux, Frans Erasmus and Tom Naudé.
David Pratt is overpowered after he shoots Hendrik Verwoerd
Prime Minister of South Africa
The prime minister of South Africa was the head of government in South Africa between 1910 and 1984.
Prime Minister of South Africa
The first Prime Minister of South Africa, Louis Botha (sitting at the centre of the desk), with his First Cabinet, 1910.
Image: Louisbotha
Image: Jan Smuts 1947
