Louis Botha was a South African politician who was the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa – the forerunner of the modern South African state. A Boer war veteran during the Second Boer War, he eventually fought to have South Africa become a British Dominion.
Louis Botha
Botha during the Boer War
A Punch cartoon expressing surprise at Botha's appointment as Premier of the Transvaal Colony. The cartoon states: "SHADE OF PAUL KRUGER. "What! Botha Premier? Well, these English do 'stagger Humanity'!" In 1907 South Africa was, in effect, given back to the Dutch.", 6 March 1907.
Statue in Cape Town by Romano Romanelli
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