Top 10 Amazing Facts about Louis Botha

Prime Minister of South Africa, Louis Botha, photo by IWM Collections. Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Louis Botha

Louis Botha was born on the 27^th of September 1862, near Greytown, Natal, South Africa. He was a soldier and politician who became the first Prime Minister of South Africa after self-governance. He advocated for political rights of black South Africans.

He began his political journey in 1888, when he held various political posts. He was elected into parliament in 1897. During the South African War he rose up and commanded the forces.

After the Boer War, Botha went back to politics and formed a party named, Het Volk. After the party won the elections in 1907, he was elected the first Prime Minister of South Africa.

General Louis Botha`s dead was at his home due to heart failure. His death followed after   him having an attack of Spanish influenza. He was 56 when he met his death. He met his death in the presence of his wife, Annie and Engelenburg who acted as a private secretary to Botha.   

1.Louis Botha fought in the Second Boer War

Général Louis Botha, photo by scannage personnel. Wikimedia commons

Louis took part in the 1899 Second Boer War. The war was between 11^th October and 31 May 1902. The conflict was between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics; the South Africa and the Orange Free State.

Other than the Boer war, he also took part in the Northern Natal fighting under Lucas Mayor. After the unfortunate death of P J. Joubert he was made the commander-in-chief.  He was a leader who demonstrated his tremendous skills in Belfast-Dalmanutha.

3.Louis Botha championed a campaign against the British

Both took the initiative to campaign against the British after the fall of Pretoria in1990. He was joined by Koos de Rey and Christiaan de Wet. Koos de Rey was a South African military officer who served as a Boer general against the Second Boer War.

On the other hand Christiaan de Wet was a general, rebel leader and politician. The three worked together against the British rule in South Africa. Their success was evident after the end of the three year war in the state.

4.Botha was prominent at championing peace with the British

Louis Botha statue, photo by B20180. Wikimedia commons

Other than Botha`s initiative to campaign against the British, he was known for his immense efforts to achieve peace with the British. One of the ways he depicted this was through his participation at the peace negotiations in 1902.

He was joined by de Wet and de la Rey. The three moved to Europe to raise funds to enable the Boers resume their former avocation. Botha was also a signatory to the Treaty of Vereening.

The Vereening treaty was signed on 31^st May 1902, and ended the Boer War between the South African Republic and the Orange Free State on one side and the United Kingdom on the other.

His war record made him prominent in the politics of Transvaal and he was a major player in the postwar reconstruction of that country.

5.Louis Botha was called by Lord Selborne to form a government

Louise was called by Lord Selborne to become the Prime Minister in Government. These efforts were made after the success of his Het Volk Party after the first elections in history. 

Botha further took part in the conference of colonies that premiered in London. The agenda of the conference was to cease to refer to the British colonies as colonies and confer to them dominion status.

6.In 1910, Botha became the first Prime Minister of the Union South Africa

General Louis Botha, photo by HParsons. Wikimedia commons

South Africa among other states gained self- rule at the 1926 Imperial conference. After gaining dominion status, Louis Botha became the first Prime Minister to the State. 

Just a year after this, together with Jan Smuts formed the South African Party. Jan Smuts has served in various military and cabinet posts. He has also held the Prime Minister post from 1919 to 1924.

The party was in existence from the year 1911 to 1934. The realization of the party was under the leadership of Louis Botha.  Botha received numerous revolts from within his party and opposition since he was viewed as too conciliatory with the British.

7.The General Botha Regiment is named after Louis

The General Botha Regiment of the South African Army is named after Botha. The regiment was named after the first Prime Minister of South Africa, Louis Botha. It is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army.

8.Botha, De la Rey, and De Wet were appointed to collect money overseas for economic reconstruction of the country

Botha, De la Rey, and De Wet were appointed to collect money overseas for economic reconstruction of the country.  The three took an initiative and moved to Europe to raise the funds needed.

The three received a worm reception however they ended up raising £125,000, which was deemed insufficient to achieve the tusk.  Botha went ahead and wrote a persuasive article, ‘The Boers and the Empire’.

The article seemed persuasive as shortly afterward, the British House of Commons voted a further £8-million. The funds were thereafter channeled into the reconstruction of the state.

9.Botha commanded the Union Troops in South West Africa

Union of South Africa in 1910, photo by SA government. Wikimedia commons

Botha commanded the Union troops in South West Africa. He led the war against the colonizers by issuing orders that they penetrating the region in four different directions; he overran the German positions and put them to flight.

Botha`s tack ticks and plans seemed to work after the Germans surrendered in July 1915. Early in July 1915, the Germans surrendered, but the full peace terms were only to be drawn up after the war in Europe had ended.

10.Botha returned to politics following the conclusion of the Boer War

After the conclusion of the Boer War, Botha went back the political arena. He became the Chairman on the Het Volk Party in Transvaal colony. This was not the end of him in the political field, he was elected the first Prime Minister of South African after self-governance.

He retained the post of Prime Minister until his unfortunate death in the year 1919. Jan Smuts took up after his death. He formed the South African Party and has served in various military and cabinet posts.

Louis Botha has made immense contribution to the political arena of South Africa.  Prior to the states` self-governances he championed for peace between the state and the British. He became the first Prime Minister of South Africa and held that post until his unfortunate death in 1919.