Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom
From Free net encyclopedia
Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom (15 July 1893 - 24 August 1958) was Prime Minister of South Africa from 30 November 1954 to 24 August 1958.
He was born on the family farm in Klipfontein. He trained as a lawyer. In 1929 he became the Member of Parliament for Waterberg.
On 30 November 1954, he was elected leader of the National Party and became Prime Minister of South Africa. Strijdom's extreme policies resulted in the removal of Coloureds from the common voters roll and the extended 'treason trial' of 156 activists (including Nelson Mandela) involved in the Freedom Charter.
Strijdom's government also severed diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.
After a short term in office, he died on 24 August 1958 in Cape Town.
There are still various monuments dedicated to him in South Africa. One monument in central Pretoria, which featured his bust, collapsed in 2001 injuring 2 people. His house in Nylstroom (now Modimolle) is now a museum.
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