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South Africa
 
[flag
                                    of Union of South Africa,
                                    1910-1912]
31 May 1910 - 25 Mar 1912
 
[flagof Union of South Africa,
                                    1912-1928, as merchant ensign
                                    1928-1951]
25 Mar 1912 - 31 May 1928
(as Merchant Ensign until 27 Jun 1951)
 
[flag
                                    of South Africa, 1928-1994]
31 May 1928 - 27 Apr 1994
 
[Flag of
                                    South Africa]
Adopted 27 Apr 1994


Map of South Africa
Hear National Anthem
"National Anthem of
South Africa"
Adopted 10 Oct 1997
Former National Anthem
"Die Stem van Suid Afrika"
(The Call of South Africa)
2 May 1957 - 10 May 1994,
co-anthem to 10 Oct 1997
(unofficial from 3 Jun 1938)
Constitution
(4 Feb 1997)
Map of South Africa
1910-1994
Former National Anthem
"God Save the King/Queen"
31 May 1910 - 2 May 1957
Former Co-National Anthem
"N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrika"
(God Bless Africa)
10 May 1994 - 10 Oct 1997
Former Constitutions
(1910, 1961, 1983, 1994)
Capital: Pretoria
Legislative: Cape Town
Judicial: Bloemfontein
(from 1961)
Currency: Rand (ZAR);
South African Pound (ZAP)
(1920-1961)
National Holiday:
27 Apr (1994)

Freedom Day
 -----------------------------------

1961-1993: 31 May (1910)
Republic Day
 (Union Day 1910-1961)
Population: 56,463,617 (2019)
42,792,804 (1993) 
GDP: $767.2 billion (2017) 
Exports: $94.93 billion (2017)
Imports: $89.36 billion (2017)
Ethnic groups: black 79.2% (Zulu 22.7%, Xhosa 16%,
Pedi 9.1%, Tswana 8%, Sotho 7.6%, Tsonga 4.5%, Swazi 2.6%, Tshivenda 2.4%, Ndebele 2.1%, other black 2.2%),
white 8.9%, coloured 8.9%,
and Asian (mainly Indian) 2.5% (2011)
Total Active Armed Forces: 62,082 (2010)
Former Nuclear Power: 6 weapons (1979-1992)
Merchant marine: 103 ships (2019)
Religions: Christian 78% (African Independent Church 25.4%,
 Pentecostal and Evangelical 15.2%, Roman Catholic 6.8%,
Methodist 5.0%, Reformed 4.2%, Anglican 3.2%, other
Protestant Church 5.3%, other Christian denominations 8.4%,
 non-denominational Christian 4.5%), ancestral, animist,
or other African
traditional religions 4.4%, Muslim 1.6%,
Hindu 1%,
Jewish 0.1%, other
religions 2.7%, undetermined
 1.4%, no religion and unaffiliated 10.9% (2016)
International Organizations/Treaties: AfCFTA, AfDB, AIIB, ANT (consultative), APM, AU, BIS, BRICS, BTWC, C, CCM, CD, CMA, CTBT, CWC, DBSA, DLU (special partner), ESCR, FAO, FATF, G-5, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA (association), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IORA, IPU, IRENA, ISA, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MTCR, NAM, NDB, NPT, NSG, NTBT, OECD (partner), OPCW, OST, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNFCC-KP, UNFCC-PA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WA, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
South Africa
Index
Chronology

 6 Apr 1652                Dutch Cape Colony, administered by Dutch 
                             East India Company.
16 Sep 1795                Cape Colony occupied by Britain.
 5 Mar 1797                British colony.
21 Feb 1803                Colony of the Batavian Republic (Netherlands).
10 Jan 1806                British re-occupy Cape Colony.
13 Aug 1814                Dutch officially cede Cape Colony to Britain.
 6 May 1835 - 24 Dec 1839  Port Natal a British colony.
 6 Jun 1837 - 12 May 1843  Republic of Natal (Natalia)(a Boer republic).
12 May 1843 - 31 May 1844  British take Natal taken from Boers, it becomes
                             Natal Colony on 28 Sep 1843.
31 May 1844 -  4 Dec 1845  Natal annexed to Cape Colony.
 8 Mar 1845                Transorangia a British settlement.
 8 Mar 1848 - 11 Mar 1854  Orange River Sovereignty (under British rule;
                             annexed to Cape Colony).
17 Jan 1852                Sand River Convention, U.K. recognizes Boer
                             independence north of the Vaal River.
21 Sep 1853                South-African Republic (a Boer republic).
24 Feb 1854                Orange Free State (a Boer republic).
29 Mar 1854 - 31 May 1902  Republic of the Orange Free State
12 Jul 1856                Natal Colony reconstituted.
 7 Mar 1860 - 17 Apr 1866  British Kaffraria a separate colony
                             (formerly Queen Adelaide Province 1835-1847).
12 Apr 1877                Transvaal a British colony.
 8 Aug 1881                Transvaal State (South-African Republic).
 8 Aug 1884 - 31 May 1902  South-African Republic (restored).
 7 Aug 1884 -  1 Mar 1994  Walvis Bay under (1884-1910 Cape Colony) South 
                             African rule. 
11 Aug 1885 -  2 Apr 1957  British naval base at Simon's Town (Simonstown).
 1 Sep 1885 - 16 Nov 1895  British Bechuanaland a separate colony.
21 Jun 1887 -  1 Dec 1897  Zululand a separate British colony.
13 Mar 1900                British occupy Bloemfontein.
30 May 1900                British occupy Johannesburg.
 5 Jun 1900                British occupy Pretoria.
25 Oct 1900                Transvaal a British colony.
 4 Jan 1901                Orange River Colony
31 May 1902                Boer resistance ceases upon the signing of the
                             Treaty of Vereeniging.
20 Sep 1909                South Africa Act, 1909 (Dutch: Zuid-Afrika Wet,
                             1909
) received royal assent, providing for the
                             unification of the colonies of the Cape of Good
                             Hope, Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange River
                             Colony as the Union of South Africa (effective on
                             31 May 1910 appointed by a Royal Proclamation of
                             2 Dec 1909).
31 May 1910               
Union of South Africa (= Unie van Zuid-Afrika =
                             [from 27 May 1925] Unie van Suid-Afrika).
 9 Oct 1914 -  3 Feb 1915  Boer revolt proclaims a "provisional government"
                             (see under South Africa provinces)
 9 Jul 1915 - 21 Mar 1990  South West Africa (Namibia) administered by South
                             Africa.
27 May 1925                Afrikaans is recognized to have been an official
                             language from 31 May 1910 (Dutch is gradually
                             replaced with Afrikaans in official use).
11 Dec 1931                Statute of Westminster grants full sovereignty to 
                             the British dominions (legislative independence of
                             the Union of South Africa from the United Kingdom)
                            (confirmed in South Africa by Status of the Union
                             Act and Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act,
                             1934 effective 22 Aug 1934).
29 Dec 1947                Prince Edward Islands annexed (Marion Island on
                             29 Dec 1947 and Prince Edward Island 4 Jan 1948).
 4 Jun 1948 - 11 Feb 1990  Apartheid era.
31 May 1961                Republic of South Africa (= Republiek van Suid-
                            
Afrika).
1976/77/79/81              Nominal independence of four black Homelands
                             (recognized only by South Africa and each other).
12 Jan 1986 -  8 Jun 1990  State of emergency imposed.
 1 Mar 1994                Walvis Bay and Penguin Islands are formally
                             transferred to Namibia.
27 Apr 1994                Re-integration of the homelands.
27 Apr 1994                From this date polity style is also in use in these
                             added official languages (language in parentheses):
                             Repabliki yaAfrika Borwa (Sesotho sa Leboa/
                             Sepedi); Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa (Sesotho);
                             Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa (Setswana);
                             Riphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika (siSwati);
                             Riphabuliki ya Afurika Tshipembe (Tshivenda);
                             Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga (Xitsonga);
                             Riphabliki yeSewula Afrika (isiNdebele);
                             Riphabliki yomZantsi Afrika (isiXhosa);
                             Riphabhuliki yaseNingizimu Afrika (isiZulu).

South Africa
(from 1910)
Provinces
Traditional
States
Prince Edward Islands
Homelands
(1968-1994)
Cape Colony
(1652-1910)
Natal
(1836-1910)
Orange Free
State

(1845-1910)
Transvaal
(1838-1910)

Walvis Bay
(1878-1994)
Graaff-Reinet and Swellendam
(1795-1796)
Goshen
(1882-1885)
Stellaland
(1882-1885)
British
Bechuanaland

(1885-1895)
British Kaffraria
(1835-1866)
Port Natal
(1824-1839)
Zululand
(1887-1897)
Winburg-
Potchefstroom-
Lydenburg

(1834-1860)
Utrecht
(1852-1858)
New Republic
(1884-1888)
Little Free State
(1886-1891)
Griqualand West
(1813-1880)
Campbell Land
(1813-1857)
Klipdrift Republic
(1870)
Philippolis
(1825-1861)
Griqualand East
(1861-1874)
 

Cape Colony
 
[Dutch
                                    East India Company (VOC) flag]  
1652 - 16 Sep 1795
[Flag of
                                    the United Kingdom]
16 Sep 1795 - 21 Feb 1803;
10 Jan 1806 - 29 May 1875
[Flag
                                    of the Batavian Republic 1795-1806
                                    (Netherlands)]
21 Feb 1803 - 10 Jan 1806
 
[Colony of the
                                  Cape of Good Hope Blue Ensign (South
                                  Africa) 1876-1910]
29 May 1876 - 31 May 1910



Map of Cape Colony
(c.1894)
Capital: Cape Town
(Kaapsche Vlek 1652-c.1678;
 Kaapstad c.1678-1795, 1803-1806)
Population: 2,564,965 (1911)

12 Mar 1488                Portuguese Capt. Bartolomeu Dias de Novaes (b. c.1450 - d. 1500)
                             first rounds the Cape, which he names Cabo das Tormentas (Cape
                             of Storms), later it is renamed Cabo da Boa Esperança
                             (Cape of Good Hope).
 3 Jul 1619                English captains Andrew Schillinge and Humphrey Fitzherbert meet
                             in Table Bay and claim it for England, without effect.
 6 Apr 1652                Dutch Cape Colony (Kaap de Goede Hoop), administered by

                             Dutch East India Company.
18 Dec 1666 - Jan 1667     French land at Saldanha Bay and claim it and its environs
                             (again 30 Sep - 12 Oct 1670),
without effect.
16 Sep 1795                Cape Colony occupied by British forces.

 5 Mar 1797                British colony (Cape of Good Hope).
21 Feb 1803 - 18 Jan 1806  Colony of the Batavian Republic (Netherlands).
10 Jan 1806                British retake Cape Colony (Colony of the Cape of Good Hope).
13 Aug 1814                Dutch officially cede Cape Colony to Britain.
 1 Dec 1872                Cape Colony granted responsible government.
31 May 1910                Part of the Union of South Africa.
 

Commanders (for the Dutch East India Company)
 
6 Apr 1652 -  6 May 1662  Jan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck      (b. 1619 - d. 1677)
 6 May 1662 - 27 Sep 1666  Zacharias Wagenaer                 (b. 1614 - d. 1668)
27 Sep 1666 - 18 Jun 1668  Cornelis van Quaelberg             (b. 1623 - d. 1687)
18 Jun 1668 - 25 Mar 1670  Jacob van Borghorst (Borchorst)    (b. c.1640 - d. ....)
25 Mar 1670 -  2 Jun 1670  Pieter Hackius                     (b. c.1630 - d. 1671)
Governors
(for the Dutch East India Company)
 2 Jun 1670 - 30 Nov 1671  Pieter Hackius                     (s.a.)
 1 Dec 1671 - 25 Mar 1672  Politieke Raad (Political Council)
                           - Coenraad (Konrad) van Breitenbach
                              (chairman)
                           - Johannes Coon (Coen)

                           - Daniël Froijmanteau (Fermenthau)
                           - Hendrick Crudop                  (b. 1646 - d. 1686)
                           - Willem van Dieden (from 1672)
                           - Johan Wittebol (from Dec 1671)   (b. c.1648 - d. 1681)
25 Mar 1672 -  2 Oct 1672  Albert van Breugel (acting)        (d. 1686)
 2 Oct 1672 - 14 Mar 1676  Ijsbrand Goske                     (b. c.1626 - d. 1689)
14 Mar 1676 - 29 Jun 1678  Johan Bax van Herenthals           (b. 1637 - d. 1678) 
29 Jun 1678 - 12 Oct 1678  Hendrick Crudop (acting)           (s.a.)
12 Oct 1678 - 11 Feb 1699  Simon van der Stel                 (b. 1639 - d. 1712)
                             (commander to 1 Jun 1691)
11 Feb 1699 -  3 Jun 1707  Willem Adriaan van der Stel        (b. 1664 - d. 1733)
 3 Jun 1707 -  1 Feb 1708  Johannes Cornelis d'Ablaing        (b. 1663 - d. 1721)
                             (acting)
 1 Feb 1708 - 27 Dec 1711  Lodewijk van Assenburgh            (b. 1660 - d. 1711)
27 Dec 1711 - 28 Mar 1714  Willem Helot (acting)
28 Mar 1714 -  8 Sep 1724  Maurits Pasques de Chavonnes       (b. 1654 - d. 1724)
 8 Sep 1724 - 25 Feb 1727  Jean de la Fontaine (1st time)     (b. 1689 - d. 1743)
                             (acting)
25 Feb 1727 - 23 Apr 1729  Pieter Gysbert Noodt               (b. 1681 - d. 1729)
23 Apr 1729 - 31 Aug 1737  Jean de la Fontaine (2nd time)     (s.a.)
                             (acting to 8 Mar 1737)
31 Aug 1737 - 19 Sep 1737  Adriaan van Kervel                 (b. 1681 - d. 1737)
20 Sep 1737 - 14 Apr 1739  Daniël van den Henghel (acting)
14 Apr 1739 - 27 Feb 1751  Hendrik Swellengrebel              (b. 1700 - d. 1760)
27 Feb 1751 - 11 Aug 1771  Ryk Tulbagh                        (b. 1699 - d. 1771)
12 Aug 1771 - 14 Feb 1785  Joachim Ammema van Plattenberg,    (b. 1739 - d. 1793) 
                             baron van Plattenberg       
                             (acting to 18 May 1774) 
14 Feb 1785 - 24 Jun 1791  Cornelis Jacob van de Graeff       (b. 1734 - d. 1812)
24 Jun 1791 -  3 Jul 1792  Johann Isaac Rhenius (acting)      (b. 1721 - d. 1811)
Commissioners-general
 3 Jul 1792 -  2 Sep 1793  Sebastian Cornelis Nederburgh      (b. 1762 - d. 1811)
                           + Simon Hendrik Frykenius          (b. 1747 - d. 1797)
 2 Sep 1793 - 16 Sep 1795  Abraham Josias Sluysken            (b. 1736 - d. 1799)
British Commanders
16 Sep 1795 - 15 Nov 1795  Sir George Keith Elphinstone       (b. 1746 - d. 1823)
                           + Alured Clarke                    (b. 1745 - d. 1832)
                           + James Henry Craig                (b. 1748 - d. 1812)
Commandant
15 Nov 1795 -  5 May 1797  James Henry Craig                  (s.a.)
Governors
 5 May 1797 - 20 Nov 1798  George Macartney, Earl Macartney   (b. 1737 - d. 1806)
20 Nov 1798 -  9 Dec 1799  Francis Dundas (1st time)(acting)  (b. 1759 - d. 1824)
10 Dec 1799 - 20 Apr 1801  Sir George Yonge                   (b. 1731 - d. 1812)
21 Apr 1801 - 20 Feb 1803  Francis Dundas (2nd time)(acting)  (s.a.)
Commissioner-general
21 Feb 1803 - 25 Sep 1804  Jacob Abraham Uitenhage de Mist    (b. 1749 - d. 1823)
Governors
 1 Mar 1803 - 18 Jan 1806  Jan Willem Janssens                (b. 1762 - d. 1838)
10 Jan 1806 - 17 Jan 1807  Sir David Baird -Military governor (b. 1757 - d. 1829)
                             (acting) 
17 Jan 1807 - 21 May 1807  Henry George Grey (1st time)       (b. 1766 - d. 1845) 
                             (acting)
22 May 1807 -  4 Jul 1811  Du Pré Alexander, Earl of Caledon  (b. 1777 - d. 1839)
 5 Jul 1811 -  5 Sep 1811  Henry George Grey (2nd time)       (s.a.) 
                             (acting) 
 6 Sep 1811 -  6 Apr 1814  Sir John Francis Cradock           (b. 1762 - d. 1839)
18 Oct 1813 -  7 Jan 1814  Robert Meade                       (b. 1772 - d. 1852)
                             (acting for Cradock)
 6 Apr 1814 -  5 Mar 1826  Lord Charles Henry Somerset        (b. 1767 - d. 1831)
13 Jan 1820 - 30 Nov 1821  Sir Rufane Shawe Donkin            (b. 1772 - d. 1841)
                             (acting for Somerset)
 5 Mar 1826 -  9 Sep 1828  Richard Bourke (acting)            (b. 1777 - d. 1855)
 9 Sep 1828 - 10 Aug 1833  Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole           (b. 1772 - d. 1842)
10 Aug 1833 - 16 Jan 1834  Thomas Francis Wade                (b. c.1784 - d. 1846)
                             (acting [for D'Urban from 10 Jan 1834])
10 Jan 1834 - 20 Jan 1838  Sir Benjamin D'Urban               (b. 1777 - d. 1849)
22 Jan 1838 - 18 Mar 1844  Sir George Thomas Napier           (b. 1784 - d. 1855)
18 Mar 1844 - 27 Jan 1847  Sir Peregrine Maitland             (b. 1777 - d. 1854
Governors (and to 31 May 1910 also High Commissioners for South Africa)
27 Jan 1847 -  1 Dec 1847  Sir Henry Eldred Pottinger         (b. 1789 - d. 1856)
 1 Dec 1847 - 31 Mar 1852  Sir Henry "Harry" George Wakelyn   (b. 1787 - d. 1860)
                             Smith
31 Mar 1852 - 26 May 1854  George Cathcart                    (b. 1794 - d. 1854)
26 May 1854 -  5 Dec 1854  Charles Henry Darling (acting)     (b. 1809 - d. 1870)
 5 Dec 1854 - 15 Aug 1861  Sir George Grey                    (b. 1812 - d. 1898)
20 Aug 1859 -  4 Jul 1860  Robert Henry Wynyard (1st time)    (b. 1802 - d. 1864)
                             (acting for Grey) 
15 Aug 1861 - 15 Jan 1862  Robert Henry Wynyard (2nd time)    (s.a.)
                             (acting)
15 Jan 1862 - 20 May 1870  Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse        (b. 1811 - d. 1887)
20 May 1870 - 31 Dec 1870  Charles Craufurd Hay (acting)      (b. 1809 - d. 1873)
31 Dec 1870 - 31 Mar 1877  Sir Henry Barkly                   (b. 1815 - d. 1898)
31 Mar 1877 - 15 Sep 1880  Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere      (b. 1815 - d. 1884)
15 Sep 1880 - 27 Sep 1880  Henry Hugh Clifford (acting)       (b. 1826 - d. 1883)
27 Sep 1880 - 22 Jan 1881  Sir George Cumine Strahan (acting) (b. 1838 - d. 1889)
22 Jan 1881 -  1 May 1889  Sir Hercules George Robert         (b. 1824 - d. 1897)
                             Robinson (1st time)  
30 Apr 1881 - Aug 1881     Leicester Smyth (1st time)         (b. 1829 - d. 1891)
                             (acting for Robinson)
25 Apr 1883 - 26 Mar 1884  Leicester Smyth (2nd time)     (s.a.)
                             (from 1 Feb 1884, Sir Leicester Smyth)
                             (acting for Robinson)

 7 Apr 1886 -  7 Jul 1886  Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens          (b. 1833 - d. 1889)
                             (acting for Robinson)
 1 May 1889 - 13 Dec 1889  Henry Augustus Smyth (acting)      (b. 1825 - d. 1906)
13 Dec 1889 - 30 May 1895  Sir Henry Brougham Loch            (b. 1827 - d. 1900)
14 Jan 1891 -  1 Dec 1892  Sir William Gordon Cameron         (b. 1827 - d. 1913)
                             (1st time)(acting for Loch)
May 1894 - Jul 1894        Sir William Gordon Cameron         (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)(acting for Loch) 
30 May 1895 - 21 Apr 1897  Sir Hercules George Robert         (s.a.)
                             Robinson (2nd time)
                            (from 10 Aug 1896, Hercules George Robert
                             Robinson, Baron Rosmead)
21 Apr 1897 -  5 May 1897  Sir William Howley Goodenough      (b. 1833 - d. 1898)
                             (acting)
 5 May 1897 -  6 Mar 1901  Sir Alfred Milner                  (b. 1854 - d. 1925)
 2 Nov 1898 - 14 Feb 1899  Sir William Francis Butler         (b. 1838 - d. 1910)
                             (acting for Milner)
 6 Mar 1901 - 31 May 1910  Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson (b. 1849 - d. 1913)
17 Jun 1909 - 21 Sep 1909  Sir Henry Jenner Scobell           (b. 1859 - d. 1912)
                             (acting for Hely-Hutchinson)

Prime ministers
 1 Dec 1872 -  5 Feb 1878  John Charles Molteno               (b. 1814 - d. 1886)  Non-party
 6 Feb 1878 -  8 May 1881  John Gordon Sprigg (1st time)      (b. 1830 - d. 1913)  Non-party 
 9 May 1881 - 12 May 1884  Thomas Charles Scanlen             (b. 1834 - d. 1912)  Non-party
13 May 1884 - 24 Nov 1886  Thomas Upington                    (b. 1844 - d. 1898)  Non-party
25 Nov 1886 - 16 Jul 1890  Sir John Gordon Sprigg (2nd time)  (s.a.)               Non-party
17 Jul 1890 - 12 Jan 1896  Cecil John Rhodes                  (b. 1853 - d. 1902)  Non-party
13 Jan 1896 - 13 Oct 1898  Sir John Gordon Sprigg (3rd time)  (s.a.)               Non-party
13 Oct 1898 - 17 Jun 1900  William Philip Schreiner           (b. 1857 - d. 1919)  Non-party
18 Jun 1900 - 21 Feb 1904  Sir John Gordon Sprigg (4th time)  (s.a.)               PP
22 Feb 1904 -  2 Feb 1908  Leander Starr Jameson              (b. 1853 - d. 1917)  PP
 3 Feb 1908 - 31 May 1910  John Xavier Merriman               (b. 1841 - d. 1926)  SAP

Party abbreviations: PP = Progressive Party (liberal, British, 1890-1908, renamed Unionist Party); SAP = South African Party (conservative, supported by liberal Afrikaans, 1890-1910, merged to form new Union-wide South African Party)


Graaff-Reinet

[Graaf-Reinet flag
                        1795-1796 (South Africa)]

Capital: Graaff-Reinet
Population: N/A

 6 Feb 1795                Cape district of Graaf-Reinet revolts against Dutch East
                             Indian Company rule.
22 Aug 1796                British rule, re-incorporated into Cape Colony.

Chairman of the Provisional Government and War Council
 6 Feb 1795 - 22 Aug 1796  Adriaan Van Jaarsfeld              (b. 1745 - d. 1801)
Landdrost
 6 Feb 1795 - 22 Aug 1796  Friedrich Carl David Gerotz        (b. 1739 - d. 1828)
                             (acting)


Swellendam
 

[Swellendam flag 1795
                        (South Africa)]

Capital: Swellendam
Population: N/A

18 Jun 1795               Cape district of Swellendam revolts against rule by Dutch East
                            India Company (colloquially called "Swellendam Republic").
Nov 1795                  British rule, re-incorporated into Cape Colony.

National Commandant
18 Jun 1795 - Jul 1795    Petrus Jacobus Delport             (b. 1757 - d. 1847)
National Landdrost
18 Jun 1795 - Nov 1795    Hermanus Steyn                     (b. 1743 - d. 1804)


Goshen

[Goshen 1882-1885
                        (South Africa)]
Dec 1882 - 23 Mar 1885

Capital: Rooigrond
Population: 17,000 (1884 est.)

21 Nov 1882                Het Land Goosen (The Land of Goshen) independent.
11 Oct 1883                Agrees to merge with Stellaland to form the United States of
                             Stellaland (Verenigde Staten van Stellaland), but not effected.
27 Feb 1884                U.K. unilaterally declares the area a British protectorate.
16 Sep 1884                Transvaal declares its annexation of Goshen.
23 Mar 1885                Annexed by U.K.
(eventually in the Cape Province of South Africa).

Chairman of the Council of Government (Voorzitter van den Raad van Bestuur)
21 Nov 1882 -  7 Aug 1883  Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius  (b. 1837 - d. 1893)
Administrator
 7 Aug 1884 - 23 Mar 1885  Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius  (s.a.)


Stellaland
 
[Stellaland
                          1883 flag (South Africa)]
1883
[Stellaland
                          1883-1884 flag (South Africa)]
1883 - 1884
[Flag Stellaland
                          1884-1885 (South Africa)]
1884 - 23 Mar 1885
Capital: Vryburg (Vrijburg)
Population: 20,500 (1884 est.)

20 Sep 1882                Vryburg (Vrijburg) founded (named Endvogelfontein to 15 Nov 1882).
18 Jan 1883                Boer conquered land named Stellaland.

 6 Aug 1883
                Republic of Stellaland (Republiek Stellaland).
27 Feb 1884                U.K. declares the area a British protectorate.
16 Sep 1884                Transvaal declares its annexation of Stellaland.
23 Mar 1885
                Annexed by U.K. (eventually in the Cape Province of South Africa).

Administrator
 6 Aug 1883 - 23 Mar 1885  Gerrit Jacobus van Niekerk        (
b. 1849 - d. 1896)


British Bechuanaland

[Flag of the United
                        Kingdom]
1 Sep 1885 - 16 Nov 1895

Map of British
Bechuanaland
Capital: Vrijburg
(Vryburg)
Population: 72,736 (1891)

 1 Sep 1885                British Bechuanaland crown colony.
16 Nov 1895                Incorporated into Cape Colony.

Military Commander
 1 Sep 1885 - 23 Oct 1885  Frederick Carrington                (b. 1844 - d. 1913)
Administrator
23 Oct 1885 - 16 Nov 1895  Sidney Godolphin Alexander Shippard (b. 1837 - d. 1902)
                            (from 21 Jun 1887, Sir Sidney Godolphin Alexander Shippard)


British Kaffraria (Queen Adelaide Land)

[Flag of the United
                        Kingdom] 1835, 17 Dec 1847 - 17 Apr 1866

Map of British
Kaffraria
Capital: King William's Town;
 Grahamstown 1835-1847;
King William's Town 1835)
Population: 52,535 (1858)

10 May 1835                Annexed to Cape Colony as Queen Adelaide Province.
 5 Dec 1835                Dis-annexed from Cape Colony, Xhosa allowed to return.
10 Dec 1835                Renamed Queen Adelaide Land District (of Cape Colony).
17 Dec 1847                Annexed to Cape Colony as British Kaffraria.
 7 Mar 1860                British Kaffraria a separate crown colony.
17 Apr 1866                Incorporated into Cape Colony.

Chief Commissioner
10 May 1835 -  5 Dec 1835  Henry "Harry" George Wakelyn       (b. 1787 - d. 1860)
                             Smith
Lieutenant governors of the Eastern Districts
10 Dec 1835 - 13 Sep 1836  Henry "Harry" George Wakelyn       (s.a.)
                             Smith (acting)
13 Sep 1836 -  9 Aug 1838  Sir Andries Stockenström           (b. 1792 - d. 1864)
 9 Aug 1838 - Sep 1846     Sir John Hare                      (b. 1784 - d. 1846)
                             (acting to 31 Aug 1839)  
Sep 1846 -  9 Apr 1847     direct rule by Cape Colony
 9 Apr 1847 -  4 Nov 1847  Sir Henry Edward Fox Young         (b. 1803 - d. 1870) 
 4 Nov 1847 - 17 Dec 1847  direct rule by Cape Colony
Chief Commissioners
23 Dec 1847 - Oct 1852     George Henry Mackinnon             (b. 1806 - d. 1899)    
Oct 1852 -  7 Mar 1860     John Maclean                       (b. 1810 - d. 1874)
Lieutenant governor
 7 Mar 1860 - 24 Dec 1864  John Maclean                       (s.a.)
Deputy governor
24 Dec 1864 - 17 Apr 1866  Robert Graham                      (b. 1816 - d. 1887)

Paramount chiefs (of amaRharhabe [offshoot of main Xhosa line])
1829 - 1840                Maqoma Jongumsobomvu a Ngqika
                             (acting)
1840 - 29 May 1878         Sandile a Ngqika                   (b. 1820 - d. 1878)


Idutywa Reserve
 
Capital: Idutywa
Population: N/A

Aug 1858                  Idutywa Reserve created as a dependency of British Kaffraria
                            for the fragments of Mhala's clan (amaNdlambe).
Dec 1864                  Merged into British Kaffraria.

British Special Magistrates for the Idutywa Reserve
Aug 1858 - Sep 1858       John Cox Gawler                     (b. 1830 - d. 1882)
Sep 1858 - May 1860       George Pomeroy Colley               (b. 1835 - d. 1881)
May 1860 -  2 Mar 1861    William George Brooks Shepstone     (b. 1823 - d. 1861) 
Sep 1861 - 24 Dec 1864    William Buchanan Chalmers           (b. 1833 - d. 1910) 



Natal
 
[Natalia 1839-1843 (South
                                  Africa)]
24 Dec 1839 - 12 May 1843
 
[Natal
                                  Blue Ensign 1870-1875 (South Africa)]
Aug 1870 - 23 Aug 1875
 
[Natal
                                  Blue Ensign Variant 1870-1875 (South
                                  Africa)]
Aug 1870 - 23 Aug 1875 Variant
 
[Natal
                                  Blue Ensign 1875-1910 (South Africa)]
23 Aug 1875 - 31 May 1910


Map of Natal
Capital: Pietermaritzburg
(Durban 1836-1839)
Constitution
(1838-1843)
Population: 1,200,000
(1909 est.)

 2 Dec 1836                Company of Emigrants (Trekker Maatschappij) elect leaders
                             near Thaba Nchu.

 6 Jun 1837                Free Province of New Holland in South-East Africa 
                             (Vrije Provincie van Nieuwe Holland in Zuid Oost Afrika).
12 Oct 1838                "Natalia" (Republic of Natal [Republiek van Natalia])¹
15 Jul 1842                Submission of the Boers to British suzerainty, Boer
                             government continues.

31 Aug 1843                British forces re-occupy Pietermaritzburg.
28 Sep 1843                British colony (Colony of Natal).

31 May 1844                Annexed to Cape colony (as Natal district).
 4 Dec 1845                Natal a separate province.
12 Jul 1856                Natal Colony reconstituted.
10 May 1893                Natal granted responsible government.
15 Oct 1899 - 1899         Boers occupy Newcastle (renamed Viljoensdorp).
31 May 1910                Part of the Union of South Africa.

President of the Burghers' Council (Burgerrand)
 2 Dec 1836 - 17 Apr 1837  Gerhardus (Gerrit) Marthinus       (b. 1797 - d. 1838)
                             Maritz 

Leaguers Commandant (Legerkommandant)
 2 Dec 1836 - 17 Apr 1837  Andries Hendrik Potgieter          (b. 1792 - d. 1852)
Governor of the United Leaguers (Lagers)

17 Apr 1837 -  6 Feb 1838  Pieter Maurits Retief              (b. 1780 - d. 1838)
Presidents of the Policy Council
 6 Feb 1838 - 23 Sep 1838  Gerhardus (Gerrit) Marthinus       (s.a.)
                             Maritz
23 Sep 1838 - 12 Oct 1838  Karel Pieter Landman               (b. 1796 - d. 1875)

Chairmen/Presidents of the Council of Representatives of the People
(Voorzitter/President van den Raad der Representanten van het Volk)²

14 May 1839 - Mar 1840     Johannes Stephanus Maritz          (b. 1794 - d. 1857)
                             (1st time)
 1 Apr 1840 - Jun 1840     Lourens Badenhorst (1st time)      (b. 1800 - d. af.1852)
 5 Aug 1840                Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (b. 1807? - d. 1877)
                             (1st time)
 5 Aug 1840 - Aug 1840     Karel Pieter Landman (1st time)    (s.a.)
 1 Sep 1840 - Sep 1840     Lourens Badenhorst (2nd time)      (s.a.)
28 Sep 1840 - Nov 1840     Frans Roos (1st time)            
17 Nov 1840                Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
18 Nov 1840                Frans Roos (2nd time)
14 Jan 1841 - Jan 1841     Karel Pieter Landman (2nd time)    (s.a.)
 1 Feb 1841                Lucas Johannes Meijer              (d. 1864)
 2 Feb 1841                Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (1st time) (b. 1808 - d. 1881)
 3 Feb 1841                Jurie J. Wessels
 7 Apr 1841 - Apr 1841     Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
14 Jun 1841 - Jun 1841     Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (2nd time) (s.a.)
 2 Aug 1841 - Oct 1841     Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (s.a.)
                             (4th time)
 3 Jan 1842 - Jan 1842     Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (3rd time) (s.a.)
17 Jan 1842                Johannes Hendrik Bruwer            (b. 1799 - d. 1883)
19 Feb 1842 - Feb 1842     Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (s.a.) 
                             (5th time)
14 Mar 1842                Matthys Hendrik Marais             (b. 1790 - d. 1864)
 6 Apr 1842                Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (4th time) (s.a.)
25 Apr 1842                P.R. Otto (1st time)
26 Apr 1842                P.R. Otto (2nd time)
27 Apr 1842 - Apr 1842     Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (s.a.)
                             (6th time)
 2 Jun 1842                Hermanus Stephanus Lombaard        (b. 18.. - d. 1901)
                             (1st time)
10 Jun 1842                Joachim Johannes Petrus Prinsloo   (s.a.)
                             (7th time)
13 Jun 1842                Hermanus Stephanus Lombaard        (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
15 Jun 1842                Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (5th time) (s.a.)
 8 Aug 1842 - Oct 1842     Hermanus Stephanus Lombaard        (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
14 Nov 1842                Evert Frederik Potgieter
17 Dec 1842                Hermanus Stephanus Lombaard        (s.a.)
                             (4th time)
 2 Jan 1813 - Jan 1843     Andreas Theodorus Spies (1st time) (b. 1880 - d. 1889) 
19 Jan 1843 - Feb 1843     Johannes Stephanus Maritz          (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
20 Feb 1843                Paulus Hermanus Zietsman (1st time)(b. c.1814 - d. 1892) 
13 Mar 1843 - Apr 1843     Johannes Stephanus Maritz          (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
 7 Aug 1843                Andreas Theodorus Spies (2nd time) (s.a.)
 8 Aug 1843 - Sep 1843     Johannes Stephanus Maritz          (s.a.)
                             (4th time)
30 Oct 1843                P.R. Otto (3rd time) 
 4 Dec 1843 - Jan 1844     Paulus Hermanus Zietsman (2nd time)(s.a.)
 4 Mar 1844 - Mar 1844     P.R. Otto (4th time) 
 3 Jun 1844                Paulus Hermanus Zietsman (3rd time)(s.a.)
 8 Jul 1844                M.J. Potgieter
12 Aug 1844                Paulus Hermanus Zietsman (4th time)(s.a.)
 2 Sep 1844                P.R. Otto (5th time) 
 4 Sep 1844                no presiding officer recorded
13 Sep 1844                J.A. Kriel
21 Sep 1844 - Apr 1845     Johannes Stephanus Maritz          (s.a.)
                             (5th time) 
 7 Jul 1845 - Jul 1845     P.R. Otto (6th time)
Chief Commandant
23 Nov 1838 -  6 Mar 1840  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus          (b. 1798 - d. 1853)
                             Pretorius
Commandants Generaal
 3 Jun 1840 - 10 Jan 1842  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus          (s.a.)
                             Pretorius (1st time)
21 Feb 1842 -  9 Aug 1842  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus          (s.a.)
                             Pretorius (2nd time)
Special Commissioner
10 May 1843 - 31 May 1844  Henry Cloete                       (b. 1792 - d. 1870)
31 May 1844 -  4 Dec 1845  direct rule by Cape Colony
Lieutenant-governors
 4 Dec 1845 -  1 Aug 1849  Martin Thomas West                 (b. 1804? - d. 1849)
19 Apr 1850 -  3 Mar 1855  Benjamin Chilley Campbell Pine     (b. 1809 - d. 1891)
                             (1st time)
 5 Nov 1856 - 31 Dec 1864  John Scott                         (b. 1814 - d. 1898)
31 Dec 1864 - 26 Jul 1865  John Maclean                       (b. 1810 - d. 1874)
26 Jul 1865 - 26 Aug 1865  John Wellesley Thomas (acting)     (b. 1822 - d. 1908)
26 Aug 1865 - 24 May 1867  John Jarvis Bisset (acting)        (b. 1819 - d. 1894)
24 May 1867 - 19 Jul 1872  Robert William Keate               (b. 1814 - d. 1873)
19 Jul 1872 - 30 Apr 1873  Anthony Musgrave                   (b. 1828 - d. 1888)
30 Apr 1873 - 22 Jul 1873  Thomas Milles (acting)   
22 Jul 1873 -  1 Apr 1875  Sir Benjamin Chilley Campbell Pine (s.a.)
                             (2nd time) 
 1 Apr 1875 -  3 Sep 1875  Sir Garnet Joseph Wolseley (acting)(b. 1833 - d. 1913) 
 3 Sep 1875 - 20 Apr 1880  Sir Henry Ernest Gascoyne Bulwer   (b. 1836 - d. 1914)
20 Apr 1880 -  5 May 1880  William Bellairs (acting)          (b. 1828 - d. 1913)
 5 May 1880 -  2 Jul 1880  Henry Hugh Clifford (acting)       (b. 1826 - d. 1883)
Governors
 2 Jul 1880 - 27 Feb 1881  Sir George Pomeroy Colley          (b. 1835 - d. 1881)
17 Aug 1880 - 14 Sep 1880  Henry Alexander (acting for Colley)
27 Feb 1881 -  3 Apr 1881  Sir Henry Evelyn Wood (acting)     (b. 1838 - d. 1919)
 3 Apr 1881 -  9 Aug 1881  Redvers Henry Buller (acting)      (b. 1839 - d. 1908)
22 Dec 1881 -  6 Mar 1882  Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell       (b. 1836 - d. 1899)
                             (1st time) (acting) 
 6 Mar 1882 - 23 Oct 1885  Sir Henry Ernest Gascoyne Bulwer   (s.a.)
23 Oct 1885 - 18 Feb 1886  Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell
                             (2nd time) (acting)              (s.a.)
18 Feb 1886 -  5 Jun 1889  Sir Arthur Elibank Havelock        (b. 1844 - d. 1908)

 
5 Jun 1889 - Jul 1893     Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell   (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)(acting to 1 Dec 1889) 
Jul 1893 - 27 Sep 1893     Francis Seymour Haden (acting)     (b. 1850 - d. 1918)
28 Sep 1893 -  6 May 1901  Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson (s.a.)
13 May 1901 -  7 Jun 1907  Sir Henry Edward McCallum          (b. 1852 - d. 1919)
 2 Sep 1907 - 23 Dec 1909  Sir Matthew Nathan                 (b. 1862 - d. 1939)
17 Jan 1910 - 31 May 1910  Paul Sanford Methuen, Baron        (b. 1845 - d. 1932)
                             Methuen of Corsham 

Prime ministers
10 Oct 1893 - 14 Feb 1897  Sir John Robinson                  (b. 1839 - d. 1903)  Non-party
15 Feb 1897 -  4 Oct 1897  Harry Escombe                      (b. 1838 - d. 1899)  Non-party
 5 Oct 1897 -  8 Jun 1899  Henry Binns                        (b. 1837 - d. 1899)  Non-party
                            
(from 17 Aug 1898, Sir Henry Binns)    
 9 Jun 1899 - 17 Aug 1903  Albert Henry Hime                  (b. 1842 - d. 1919)  Non-party
                             (from 23 May 1900, Sir Albert Henry Hime)
18 Aug 1903 - 16 May 1905  George Morris Sutton               (b. 1834 - d. 1913)  Non-party
                             (from 24 Jun 1904, Sir George Morris Sutton) 
16 May 1905 - 28 Nov 1906  Charles John Smythe                (b. 1852 - d. 1918)  Non-party
28 Nov 1906 - 28 Apr 1910  Frederick Robert Moor              (b. 1853 - d. 1927)  Non-party

 ¹The constitution of 1838 did not specify an official name for the polity. Sources style
it Natalia or Republic of Natal. In foreign correspondence the Raad (Council) requested occasionally that the polity be styled Republic of Port Natal and Adjoining Countries; 
not surprisingly, nobody took them up on this idea.

 ²According to the constitution, the state was to be headed by a committee called the 
Politie; the President of the Politie would be the formal head of state. However, this body was never constituted. In this record, the chairman of the Raad is regarded as the head of state. The chairman was officially elected quarterly. The list of chairmen is incomplete; the list does not reflect the terms of office holders which appear not to have been defined by the legislative body. All included dates are the dates of the sessions on which the persons listed are either explicitly recorded as chairmen on a given date and/or listed first among the attending members. During much of the time of independence of Natalia the Raad appointed a Chief Commandant or Commandant Generaal, who functioned informally as a Chief Executive, and is therefore also listed here.


Port Natal

[Flag of the United
                        Kingdom]

Capital: Port Natal (Durban)
Population: N/A

 7 Aug 1824                Port Natal ceded to British settlers under kwaZulu suzerainty.
30 Apr 1828                Port Natal settlement dissolved.
 6 May 1835                British settlers return, kwaZulu suzerainty continues.
23 Jun 1835                Renamed Durban.
 4 Feb 1838                kwaZulu cede area to Natal, but Zulu then destroy settlement.
16 May 1838                Re-claimed by Natal, renamed Port Natal.
 3 Dec 1838                Occupied by British forces from Cape Colony, renamed Durban.
24 Dec 1839                Incorporated into Natal.

Chief British Settler
 7 Aug 1824 - 30 Apr 1828  Francis George Farewell            (b. 1784 - d. 1829)
30 Apr 1828 -  6 May 1835  No formal British rule
Special Magistrate
21 Apr 1835 - 1838         Allen Francis Gardiner             (b. 1794 - d. 1851)
Landdrost
May 1838 - 1838            Alexander Biggar                   (b. 1781 - d. 1838)
British Commandants of Port Natal
 3 Dec 1838 - 20 Jan 1839  Samuel Charters                    (b. 1788 - d. 1866)
20 Jan 1839 - 24 Dec 1839  Henry Jervis                       (d. 1879)


Zululand Colony


[Flag of the United Kingdom]

Map of Zululand Capital: Eshowe Population: 230,000
(1896 est.) 

 4 Jul 1879                British occupation.
1883                       Zulu "Native" Reserve (Zululand province).
21 Jun 1887                British crown colony Zululand (declared over KwaZulu).
 1 Dec 1897                Incorporated into Natal.
31 Dec 1897                Amatongaland (Tongaland)(made a U.K. protectorate 11 Jun 1895)
                             annexed to Zululand by the U.K. 

Supreme Chiefs (Governors)
21 Jun 1887 -  1 Dec 1897  the governors of Natal

B
ritish Residents in Zululand
 8 Sep 1879 - Jan 1880     William Douglas Wheelwright        (b. 1846 - d. 1887) 
Jan 1880 - 22 Dec 1882     Sir Melmoth Osborn                 (b. 1834 - d. 1899)
Resident Commissioners in Zululand
22 Dec 1882 - Mar 1883     John Wesley Shepstone              (b. 1827 - d. 1916)
Mar 1883 - May 1887        Sir Melmoth Osborn                 (s.a.)
Resident Commissioners and Chief magistrates in Zululand
May 1887 - Apr 1893        Sir Melmoth Osborn                 (s.a.)
Nov 1890 - Sep 1891        Frederic Cardew (acting for Osborn)(b. 1839 - d. 1921)
Aug 1893 - Dec 1897        Sir Marshall James Clarke          (b. 1841 - d. 1909)  



Orange Free State
 
[Flag
                                  unofficial Orange Free State 1854-1856
                                  (South Africa)]
1854 - 28 Feb 1856  Unofficial
[Orange
                                  Free State 1856-1902 (South Africa)]
28 Feb 1856 - 31 May 1902
[Flag of the
                                  United Kingdom]
24 May 1900 - 10 Dec 1904
[flag of
                                  Orange River colony, 1904-1910 (South
                                  Africa)]
10 Dec 1904 - 31 May 1910
Map of Orange
Free
State
Capital: Bloemfontein
(Boers: Bethlehem
13 Mar - 11 May 1900)
Hear National Anthem
"Volkslied van de
 Oranje Vrijstaat"
 (National Anthem of the
Orange Free State)
(23 Aug 1866-1902)
Constitution
(10 Apr 1854 -
31 May 1902)

Population: 528,174
(1911 est.)
207,500 (1890)

Currency: Oranje Vrystaatse Pond
c.1860-1902;
  British Pound (GBP)
1902-1910
National Holiday
 1857-1902
:
23 Feb (1854)
 Republiekdag
(Republic Day)
----------------------

Military: 22,314
(1900 est.)
Exports: 1,923,000
British Pounds (1898)


Imports
: 1,190,000
 British Pounds (1898)
Ethnic groups: black 62.5%, white 37.1% (incl. 12.4% foreign), other 0.4% (1890) Religions: Dutch
 Reformed (official)
 33.2%, other Christian
1.4%, other/none 65.4%
 (1890)
International Organizations/Treaties to 1902: UIBPIP, UPU

1845                       British settlement begins (Transorangia).
 8 Mar 1848 - 23 Feb 1854  Orange River Sovereignty (under British rule, annexed to
                             the Cape Colony).
23 Feb 1854                Convention providing for the transfer of the government of the
                             Orange River Territory from the British Crown to the local
                             inhabitants is signed by the Special Commissioner of the British
                             Crown and representatives of the districts of Bloemfontein,
                             Smithfield, Winburg, Harrismith, and Sannah's Poort in

                             Bloemfontein
("
Convention of Bloemfontein").
24 Feb 1854               
Free State of the Orange River (Vry Staat van Oranjerivier) -
                            
occasionally in full: Free and Independent State of the Orange
                             River (Vry en Onafhankelyk Staat van Oranjerivier).

10 Apr 1854                Orange Free State (Oranjevrijstaat)(also in official use
                             [contemporary spelling]: Oranjevrystaat, Oranje Vry Staat,                              Orange Vrij Staat, Oranje Vrij Staat)(constitution is
                             approved by the Volksraad).
13 Mar 1900                British occupy Bloemfontein.
24 May 1900                Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in South Africa
                             proclaims the annexation of Orange Free State to the British
                             Dominions and forming a part of it under the name of
                             Orange River Colony
.
31 May 1902                National government ceases to exist upon the signing of Treaty
                             of Vereeniging with the U.K.

 
1 Jul 1907                Orange River Colony granted responsible government.
31 May 1910                Part of the Union of South Africa.
 

British Residents Among the Tribes on the North Eastern Frontier
 
8 Mar 1845 - 16 Jan 1846  William Sutton                     (b. 1807 - d. 1864)
16 Jan 1846 - 23 Jul 1852  Henry Douglas Warden               (b. 1800 - d. 1856)
23 Jul 1852 - 23 Feb 1854  Henry Green                        (b. 1818 - d. 1884)
Special Commissioner of the British Crown
 6 Apr 1853 -  3 Feb 1854  Sir George Russell Clerk           (b. 1800 - d. 1889)
President of the Provisional Government (President van het Provisioneel Gouvernement; also in occasional use: Provisioneel Gouvernement van Vryen en Onafhankelyken Staat van Oranjerivier)
24 Feb 1854 - 29 Mar 1854  Josias Philippus Hoffman           (b. 1807 - d. 1879)

Chairman of the Volksraad (Voorzitter van het Volksraad)
29 Mar 1854 - 15 Apr 1854  Josias Philippus Hoffman           (s.a.)
State Presidents (Staatspresident)
15 Apr 1854 - 10 Feb 1855  Josias Philippus Hoffman           (s.a.)
                             (acting to 13 Sep 1854; also continues
                             as chairman of Volksraad to 18 Apr 1854)

10 Feb 1855 - 27 Aug 1855  Jacobus Johannes Venter (1st time) (b. 1814 - d. 1889)
                             (provisional to 15 Feb 1855, then
                             chairman of the Executive Commission)
State Presidents of the Orange Free State (Staatspresident van den Oranjevrijstaat)
27 Aug 1855 -  6 Sep 1859  Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof            (b. 1808 - d. 1881)

 6 Sep 1859 -  8 Feb 1860  Esaias Reynier Snyman (Snijman)    (b. 1822 - d. 1884)
                             (acting)
 8 Feb 1860 - 17 Jun 1863  Marthinus Wessel Pretorius         (b. 1819 - d. 1901)
17 Jun 1863 - 20 Jun 1863  Vacant
20 Jun 1863 -  2 Feb 1864  Jacobus Johannes Venter (2nd time) (s.a.)

                             (acting)
 2 Feb 1864 - 14 Jul 1888  Johannes Hendricus Brand           (b. 1823 - d. 1888)
31 Aug 1872 -  4 Oct 1872  Just Friedrich Rudolph Kaufmann    (b. 1831 - d. 1879)
                             Höhne (acting for Brand)
 
4 Oct 1872 - 16 Jun 1873  Committee (acting for Brand)
                           - William Collins (chairman)       (b. 1803 - d. 1876)
                           - Friedrich Pieter Schnehage       (b. 1811 - d. 1888)
                           - Gerhardus Johannes du Toitt      (b. 1817 - d. 1899)
14 Jul 1888 - 10 Jan 1889  Pieter Jeremias Blignaut (1st time)(b. 1841 - d. 1909)
                             (chairman of the executive council
                             to 21 Aug 1888, then acting) 
10 Jan 1889 - 11 Dec 1895  Francis William Reitz              (b. 1844 - d. 1934)
11 Dec 1895 -  4 Mar 1896  Pieter Jeremias Blignaut (2nd time)(s.a.)
                             (acting) 
 4 Mar 1896 - 31 May 1902  Marthinus Theunis Steyn            (b. 1857 - d. 1916)
                             (ran government from the field from 13 Mar 1900)
British Military Governor of Bloemfontein
Mar 1900 - Feb 1901        George Tindal Pretyman             (b. 1845 - d. 1917)
British Administrators of the Orange River Colony
24 May 1900 - 23 Jun 1902  Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Baron    (b. 1832 - d. 1914)
                             Roberts of Kandahar and Waterford 
                            
(departed South Africa 11 Dec 1900)
11 Dec 1900 - 23 Jun 1902  Alfred Milner                      (b. 1854 - d. 1925)
                             (acting for absent Roberts)
Deputy Administrator of the Orange River Colony
Feb 1901 - 23 Jun 1902     Hamilton John Goold-Adams
         (b. 1858 - d. 1920)
                             (acting in Bloemfontein for absent Milner)
Governors of the Orange River Colony
23 Jun 1902 - 20 May 1905  Alfred Milner, (from 15 Jul 1902)  (s.a.)
                             Viscount Milner of Saint James's
                             and Cape Town

23 Jun 1902 - 20 May 1905  Hamilton John Goold-Adams          (s.a.)
                             (Lieutenant governor; acting for absent Milner in Bloemfontein)
20 May 1905 -  1 Jul 1907  William Waldegrave Palmer,         (b. 1859 - d. 1942)

                             Earl of Selborne
 
1 Jul 1907 - 31 May 1910  Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams      (s.a.)


Government Secretaries
(Gouvernementssecretarissen)
15 Apr 1854 – c.3 Sep 1855 Jacobus Groenendaal                (b. 1805 - d. 1860)
c.3 Sep 1855 – 1862        Jan Willem Spruyt                  (b. 1826 – d. 1908)
                             (acting to Jan 1856)
1862 - 17 Jun 1863         Joseph Allison                     (b. 1817 - d. 1869)
Jun 1863 - 27 May 1868     Jan Christiaan Nielen Marais       (b. 1822 - d. 1896)
27 May 1868 - 19 Apr 1879  Just Friedrich Rudolph Kaufmann    (b. 1831 – d. 1879)
                             Höhne
19 Apr 1879 – 20 May 1879  Oloff Johannes Truter (acting)     (b. 1829 – d. 1881)
20 May 1879 – 31 May 1902  Pieter Jeremias Blignaut           (s.a.)
Prime minister

27 Nov 1907 - 31 May 1910  Abraham Fischer                    (b. 1850 - d. 1913)  ORU

Party abbreviation: ORU = Orangia-Unie (Orangia Union/United Orange, Orange River Colony pro-Boer party, May 1906-21 Nov 1910, merged into South African Party)



Transvaal
 
[vierkleur flag of Transvaal
                                  1858-74, 1875-77, 1880-1902 (South
                                  Africa)]
18 Feb 1858 - 24 Oct 1874;
10 May 1875 - 12 Apr 1877;
16 Dec 1880 - 31 May 1902;
(in revolt Oct 1914-Feb 1915)
[Flag
                                  South African Republic (Transvaal)
                                  1874-1875]
24 Oct 1874 - 10 May 1875
 
 
 
[Flag of the
                                  United Kingdom]
12 Apr 1877 - 16 Dec 1880; 
5 Jun 1900 - Feb 1904
 
 
 
[flag
                                  of Transvaal Colony, 1904-1910 (South
                                  Africa)]
Feb 1904 - 31 May 1910
 
 
 
Map of Transvaal Capital: Pretoria
(Boers: Potchefstroom 1838-1 May 1860;
Paardekraal
13-16 Dec 1880;
Heidelberg
16 Dec
1880 - 28 Mar 1881
)
Hear National Anthem
"Volkslied van Transvaal"
(National Anthem
 of the Transvaal)
(1858-1877, 1880-1902)
Constitution
(25 Dec 1889 -
31 May 1902)
Early Constitutions
(23 May 1849,
13 Feb 1858)
Population: 1,260 000
(1904 est.)
1,094,000 (1898)
Currency:
Suid-Afrikaanse
 Pond (ZAPP)
1867-1881,
1884-1902;

British Pound (GBP)
1881-1884, 1902-1910
National Holiday
 1865-77, 1881-1902
:
16 Dec (1838)
Dingaansdag
(Dingane's Day)
--------------------------
Military: 29,279
(1900 est.)
Exports: 17.1 million
British Pounds (1898)

Imports: 10.6 million
 British Pounds (1898)
Ethnic groups: black 68.5%, white 22.4%, other  (Indian, Coloured,
 other Asian) 9.1%
 (1898)
Religions: Dutch
Reformed (official) 7.2%, Anglican 3.4%,
 Methodist 1.1%, other
Christian 2.1%, Jewish
1.1%, other/none 85.1%
(1895)

International Organizations/Treaties to 1902: ICRM, UPU

22 Dec 1838                Potchefstroom founded.
 
9 Apr 1844                Representatives of the Boer emigrants meet at Potchefstroom and
                             draw up a code of laws for the local community ("the Thirty-three
                             Articles" [die Drie-en-dertig Artikelen])(there was no official
                             name adopted by the Boer authorities for their polity before
                             21 Sep 1853)
¹.
 1 Aug 1845                Self-governing community of Ohrigstad is organized on the start of
                             regular sessions of the local legislature (continues to hold
                             meetings to 3 Apr 1849).

1848                       Zoutpansberg (Soutpansberg) founded by Andries H. Potgieter, it is
                             later renamed Schoemansdal.

23 May 1849                Representatives from Ohrigstad and other parts of the Transvaal
                             meet at Derdepoort, organising themselves as a permanent
                             legislative and executive authority (Volksraad) for the community
                             "on this side of the Vaal" ("aan deze zyde de Vaal Revier")
                             (sometimes called the United League [Verenigde Bond]).
17 Jan 1852                Sand River Convention, U.K. recognizes Boer independence north

                             of the Vaal River¹ (and Zoutpansberg joins the Verenigde Bond).
21 Sep 1853 -  1 Dec 1853  South-African Republic (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)¹(there was no
                             official name adopted by the Boer authorities for their polity
                             before 21 Sep 1853
).
 1 Dec 1853 - 27 May 1856  South-African Republic, North of the Vaal River (Zuid-Afrikaansche
                             Republiek Benoorden de Vaalrivier
)(name of the state is changed
                             by resolution of Volksraad session at Potchefstroom 1 Dec 1853).

27 May 1856 - 12 Apr 1877  South-African Republic (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)(name of the
                             state is changed in accordance with a resolution of the Commissie
                             Raad session at Potchefstroom
27 May 1856).
 
5 Jan 1857                Name of the state is confirmed in the Constitution of 1857 approved
                             by resolution of Volksraad session at Potchefstroom 5 Jan 1857.
12 Apr 1877                Transvaal Territory (Transvaalsche Grondgebied)(also in official
                             use Transvaal Province), the South African Republic is declared
                             a British territory.

16 Dec 1880                South-African Republic (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)(restored)
                             (re-establishment of the government is declared in accordance
                             with a proclamation signed on 16 Dec 1880 in Paardenkraal,
                             public ceremony, Heidelberg);
in opposition to the authorities
                             of the Transvaal Territory to 8 Aug 1881.
 8 Aug 1881                Transvaal granted self-government, subject to the suzerainty
                             of the British crown, under the name of Transvaal State
                             (South-African Republic in domestic use)(by the Convention of
                             Pretoria signed on 3 Aug 1881, ratified by the Volksraad of the
                             South African Republic on 8 Aug 1881).
 8 Aug 1884                Suzerainty of the British Crown over the Transvaal State is tacitly
                             withdrawn by the London Convention (signed 27 Feb 1884; effective
                             upon the ratification by the Volksraad on 8 Aug 1884) superseding
                             the Pretoria Convention of 1881.
 8 Aug 1884 - 31 May 1902  South-African Republic (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)(restored).
30 May 1900                British occupy Johannesburg.
 
5 Jun 1900                Polity disintegrated de facto upon the occupation of the seat of
                             government, Pretoria, by the armed forces of the U.K. (but
                             continues in dissidence in part of territory to 31 May 1902).
 1 Sep 1900               
South African Republic is declared part of the dominions of the
                             British Crown by the
Commander-in-chief of the British Forces
                             in South Africa.
 1 Sep 1900                Transvaal
(a British colony).
31 May 1902                Sovereignty of the British Crown over the South African Republic
                             is
recognized in accordance with a peace treaty (Treaty of
                             Vereeniging
).
 
6 Dec 1906                Transvaal granted responsible government.
31 May 1910                Part of the Union of South Africa.

Chairmen (Presidents) of the Volksraad (Voorzitter [President] van den Volksraad)
 
9 Apr 1844 -  9 Apr 1844  J.D. van Coller
 9 Apr 1844 -  1 Aug 1845  office vacant
 1 Aug 1845 -  1 Aug 1845  Casper Jan Hendrik Kruger          (b. 1801 - d. 1852)
                             (1st time)
26 Sep 1845 -  8 Oct 1845  Casper Jan Hendrik Kruger          (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
11 Dec 1845 - 11 Dec 1845  Johannes Gerhardus Stephanus       (b. 1798 - d. 1848)
                             Bronkhorst (1st time)       
20 Jan 1846 - 22 Jan 1846  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (b. 1813 - d. 1892)
                             (Grobbelaar)(1st time)
27 Jan 1846 - 27 Jan 1846  Andries Hendrik Potgieter          (b. 1792 - d. 1852)
                             (1st time)
23 Feb 1846 - 23 Feb 1846  no presiding officer recorded
                             (provisional)
28 Feb 1846 - 28 Feb 1846  Johannes Gerhardus Stephanus       (s.a.)
                             Bronkhorst (2nd time)
17 Mar 1846 - 19 Mar 1846  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar) (2nd time)
13 Apr 1846 - 20 Apr 1846  Andries Hendrik Potgieter          (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
 4 May 1846 -  4 May 1846  Andries Hendrik Potgieter          (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)(provisional)
15 May 1846 - 16 May 1846  Andries Hendrik Potgieter          (s.a.)
                             (4th time)
 8 Jun 1846 -  8 Jun 1846  Johannes Gerhardus Stephanus       (s.a.)
                              Bronkhorst (3rd time)
 1 Sep 1846 -  1 Sep 1846  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar) (3rd time)
 5 Nov 1846 -  5 Nov 1846  J.J.P. (Joachim) Prinsloo         (b. 1807? - d. 1877)
                              (1st time)
10 Dec 1846 -  4 Jan 1847  Johannes Christiaan Klopper
                             ("CIP Klopper")(1st time)
10 Feb 1847 - 10 Feb 1847  Johannes Christiaan Klopper
                             (2nd time)
12 Mar 1847 - 12 Mar 1847  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar) (4th time)
16 Mar 1847 - 16 Mar 1847  Johannes Christiaan Klopper
                             (3rd time)
29 Apr 1847 - 29 Apr 1847  Jan Frans Schutte (1st time)
 5 May 1847 -  5 May 1847  Johannes Christiaan Klopper
                             (4th time)(provisional)
14 May 1847 - 14 May 1847  J.J.P. (Joachim) Prinsloo          (s.a.)  
                             (2nd time)(provisional)
17 Jun 1847 - 17 Jun 1847  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar) (5th time)
21 Jun 1847 - 21 Jun 1847  Johannes van Renseburg
                            (or possibly L.A., L.R. Erasmus)
22 Jun 1847 - 22 Jun 1847  no presiding officer recorded
 3 Nov 1847 -  4 Nov 1847  L.J. (Louw) Erasmus
                            (or possibly J.B., J.C., J.J., J.L., J.N., J.W. van Renseburg)
15 Dec 1847 - 16 Dec 1847  Jan Frans Schutte (2nd time)
 2 Feb 1848 -  3 Feb 1848  no presiding officer recorded
29 Feb 1848 - 29 Feb 1848  no presiding officer recorded
 4 Apr 1848 -  4 Apr 1848  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar) (6th time)
20 Apr 1848 - 21 Apr 1848  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar) (7th time)
20 Sep 1848 - 20 Sep 1848  no presiding officer recorded
 6 Oct 1848 -  7 Oct 1848  no presiding officer recorded
 6 Dec 1848 -  7 Dec 1848  no presiding officer recorded
 7 Feb 1849 -  7 Feb 1849  no presiding officer recorded
 7 Mar 1849 -  8 Mar 1849  Jacob de Clercq (le Clercq)
                             (1st time)
 3 Apr 1849 -  3 Apr 1849  no presiding officer recorded
 3 Apr 1849 - 23 May 1849  office vacant
23 May 1849 - 25 May 1849  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus          (b. 1798 - d. 1853)
                             Pretorius
19 Sep 1849 - 19 Sep 1849  Jacob de Clercq (le Clercq)
                            
(2nd time)
 6 Dec 1849 - 12 Dec 1849  Piet Ernst Kruger (1st time)       (b. 1804 - d. 1859)
                             (provisional)
22 Jan 1850 - 30 Jan 1850  W.C. Swart
26 May 1850 - 28 May 1850  Willem Hendrik Jacobszoon          (b. 1804 - d. 1868)
                             (1st time)
24 Aug 1850 - 24 Aug 1850  Willem Hendrik Jacobszoon          (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
10 Sep 1850 - 10 Sep 1850  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (1st time)

16 Oct 1850 - 16 Oct 1850  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (2nd time)

10 Dec 1850 - 10 Dec 1850  Petrus Frans Jacobus Pretorius     (b. 1810 - d. c.1852)
15 Jan 1851 - 21 Jan 1851  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (3rd time)

15 Feb 1851 - 15 Feb 1851  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (4th time)

 5 May 1851 -  5 May 1851  Willem Hendrik Jacobszoon          (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
 9 May 1851 -  9 May 1851  Willem Hendrik Jacobszoon          (s.a.)
                             (4th time)
30 May 1851 - 30 May 1851  no presiding officer recorded
11 Jun 1851 - 11 Jun 1851  J.N.H. Grobler  
 5 Jul 1851 -  5 Jul 1851  Johannes Christoffel Steyn         (b. 1799 - d. 1887)
                             (or possibly J.E., J.H., J.P. Steyn)
 1 Sep 1851 -  3 Sep 1851  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (5th time)

27 Nov 1851 - 29 Nov 1851  Willem Hendrik Jacobszoon          (s.a.)
                             (5th time)
10 Jan 1852 - 10 Jan 1852  no presiding officer recorded  
12 Feb 1852 - 12 Feb 1852  J.J.P. (Joachim) Prinsloo          (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
14 Feb 1852 - 14 Feb 1852  Pieter Ernst Kruger (2nd time)     (s.a.)
17 Mar 1852 - 20 Mar 1852  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (6th time)

 5 May 1852 -  6 May 1852  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (7th time)

 6 May 1852 -  6 May 1852  Andreas Theodorus Spies            (b. 1800 - d. 1889)
 7 May 1852 -  7 May 1852  C. Viljoen
15 Jun 1852 - 25 Jun 1852  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (8th time)

12 Jul 1852 - 12 Jul 1852  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (9th time)

 4 Oct 1852 -  4 Oct 1852  J.J.P. (Joachim) Prinsloo          (s.a.)
                             (4th time)
15 Nov 1852 - 15 Nov 1852  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (10th time)

20 Nov 1852 - 20 Nov 1852  J.J.P. (Joachim) Prinsloo          (s.a.)
                             (5th time)
14 Mar 1853 - 24 Mar 1853  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (11th time)

13 Jun 1853 - 22 Jun 1853  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (12th time)

 9 Aug 1853 - 13 Aug 1853  Henricus Albertus Pretorius        (b. 1803 - d. 1889)
                             (1st time)
19 Sep 1853 - 28 Sep 1853  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (13th time)

21 Nov 1853 -  6 Dec 1853  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (14th time)

 4 Jan 1854 -  1 Feb 1854  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (15th time)
 
27 Feb 1854 - 27 Feb 1854  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (16th time)
 
 4 Mar 1854 -  5 Mar 1854  no presiding officer recorded  
 3 Apr 1854 - 10 Apr 1854  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (17th time)
 
 7 Jun 1854 - 15 Jun 1854  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar)(8th time)
16 Oct 1854 - 17 Oct 1854  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (18th time)
 
 6 Nov 1854 - 10 Nov 1854  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (19th time)
 
 2 Feb 1855 -  2 Feb 1855  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                            
(20th time)  
13 Mar 1855 - 13 Mar 1855  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (21st time)

 1 Jun 1855 - 19 Jun 1855  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                            
(22nd time)
 4 Jul 1855 -  5 Jul 1855  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                            
(23rd time)
10 Sep 1855 - 11 Sep 1855  Henricus Albertus Pretorius        (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
11 Sep 1855 - 18 Sep 1855  Henricus Albertus Pretorius        (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
 5 Nov 1855 - 20 Nov 1855  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar)(8th time)
27 Nov 1855 - 27 Nov 1855  C.D. (Cornelis) Potgieter
                             (24th time)

 4 Mar 1856 - 11 Mar 1856  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar)(3rd time)
11 Mar 1856 - 11 Mar 1856  Hendrik Teodor Bührmann            (b. 1822 - d. 1890)
27 May 1856 - 30 May 1856  Johannes Hermanus Grobler          (s.a.)
                             (Grobbelaar)(10th time)
 5 Jan 1857 -  6 Jan 1857  J.P. Furstenberg
                             (or possibly J.G. Furstenberg)
Presidents of the Executive Council of the South African Republic

(President van den Uitvoerenden Raad der Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)
 6 Jan 1857 - 15 Sep 1860  Marthinus Wessel Pretorius         (b. 1819 - d. 1901)
                             (1st time)
15 Sep 1860 -  6 Dec 1860  Johannes Hermanus Grobler (acting) (s.a.) 
                            
(Grobbelaar)
 6 Dec 1860 - 17 Apr 1862  Stephanus Schoeman (acting)        (b. 1810 - d. 1890)
                             (continued in dissidence to 19 Jan 1863)
18 Apr 1862 - 10 May 1864  Willem Cornelis Janse van          (b. 1818 - d. 1865)
                             Renseburg (acting to 23 Oct 1863)
10 May 1864 - 22 Oct 1866  Marthinus Wessel Pretorius         (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
State Presidents of the South African Republic

(Staatspresident der Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)
22 Oct 1866 - 20 Nov 1871  Marthinus Wessel Pretorius         (s.a.)
20 Nov 1871 - 21 Nov 1871  Vacant
21 Nov 1871 -  1 Jul 1872  Daniël Jacobus Erasmus             (b. 1830 - d. 1913)

                             "van Straten" (acting) 
 1 Jul 1872 - 12 Apr 1877  Thomas François Burgers            (b. 1834 - d. 1881)
Administrators of the Government of the Transvaal Territory in South Africa
(also in official use, Administrator of the Government of the Transvaal)
12 Apr 1877 -  5 Jun 1880  Sir Theophilus Shepstone           (b. 1817 - d. 1893)

 4 Mar 1879 - 29 Sep 1879  William Owen Lanyon                (b. 1842 - d. 1887)
                            (from 6 Apr 1880, Sir William Owen Lanyon) 
                            (acting for Shepstone, then intermittently
                             for Wolseley 28 May 1879 - 5 Jun 1880)

Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Transvaal Territory
29 Sep 1879 -  5 Jun 1880  Sir Garnet Joseph Wolseley         (b. 1833 - d. 1913)
                             (departed South Africa 25 May 1880)

Administrators of the Government of the Transvaal Province in South Africa
 5 Jun 1880 -  8 Aug 1881  Sir William Owen Lanyon            (s.a.)
                             (departed South Africa May 1881)
 
8 Apr 1881 - 13 Jun 1881  William Bellairs         
          (b. 1828 - d. 1913)
                             (acting for absent Lanyon)
13 Jun 1881 -  8 Aug 1881  Sir Henry Evelyn Wood              (b. 1838 - d. 1919)
                             (acting for absent Lanyon)
State Presidents of the South African Republic
13 Dec 1880
-  9 May 1883  State President represented by the Triumvirate
                           (in dissidence to 8 Aug 1881)
                           - Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger (b. 1825 - d. 1904)

                           - Marthinus Wessel Pretorius       (s.a.)
                           - Petrus Jacobus Joubert           (b. 1831 - d. 1900)
 9 May 1883 - 31 May 1902  Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger   (s.a.)
                             (left the national territory 10 Sep 1900)
10 Sep 1900 - 31 May 1902  Schalk Willem Burger               (b. 1852 - d. 1918)
                             (vice president; acting for absent Kruger)
Commanders-in-Chief of the British Forces in South Africa
23 Dec 1899 - 11 Dec 1900  Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Baron    (
b. 1832 - d. 1914)
                             Roberts of Kandahar and Waterford          
11 Dec 1900 - 23 Jun 1902  Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Baron   (
b. 1850 - d. 1916)
                             Kitchener of Khartoum, and of
                             Aspall in the County of Suffolk

British Administrators of the Transvaal
 1 Sep 1900 - 21 Jun 1902  Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Baron    (s.a.)
                             Roberts of Kandahar and Waterford
                             (departed South Africa 11 Dec 1900)
11 Dec 1900 -  9 May 1901  Alfred Milner (1st time)           (b. 1854 - d. 1925)
                             (acting for absent Roberts)
 
9 May 1901 - 27 Aug 1901  Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Baron   (s.a.)
                             Kitchener of Khartoum, and of
                             Aspall in the County of Suffolk       

                             (acting for absent Milner)
27 Aug 1901 - 21 Jun 1901  Alfred Milner (2nd time)           (s..a)
                             (acting for absent Roberts)
Governors and Commanders-in-Chief of the Transvaal

21 Jun 1902 - 23 May 1905  Alfred Milner                      (s.a.)
                            
(from 15 Jul 1902, Viscount Milner of
                             Saint James's and Cape Town)
 6 Aug 1903 - Dec 1903
    Arthur Lawley (acting for Milner (b. 1860 - d. 1932)
 5 Apr 1905 - 23 May 1905  Arthur Lawley (acting for Milner)  (s.a.)
23 May 1905 - 31 May 1910  William Waldegrave Palmer,         (b. 1859 - d. 1942)

                             Earl of Selborne  

Prime minister
 4 Feb 1907 - 31 May 1910  Louis Botha                        (b. 1862 - d. 1919)  HV

Commandants Generaal
16 Oct 1850 - 15 Jan 1851  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus          (s.a.)
                             Pretorius (1st time)
- at Lydenburg -
15 Jan 1851 - 17 Dec 1856  Willem François Joubert            (b. 1801 - d. 1891)
- at Marico -

15 Jan 1851 - Apr 1852     Johan Adam Enslin                  (b. 1800 - d. 1852)
- at Potchefstroom-Rustenburg -
15 Jan 1851 - 23 Jul 1853  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus          (s.a.)
                             Pretorius (2nd time) 
23 Jul 1853 -  9 Aug 1853  office vacant
 9 Aug 1853 -  6 Jan 1857  Marthinus Wessel Pretorius         (s.a.)
- at Zoutpansberg -

15 Jan 1851 - 16 Dec 1852  Andries Hendrik Potgieter          (s.a.)
16 Dec 1852 - 17 Mar 1853  office vacant
17 Mar 1853 -  6 Nov 1854  Pieter Johannes Potgieter          (b. 1822 - d. 1854)

 
6 Nov 1854 -  4 Jun 1855  office vacant
 
4 Jun 1855 - 18 Feb 1858  Stephanus Schoeman                 (s.a.)
                            
(continued to 17 Apr 1862 as as Commandant
                             Generaal for the whole Republic, then in rebellion)

Party abbreviation: HV = Het Volk (The Nation, Transvaal Boer party, May 1904-21 Nov 1910, merged into South African Party)

  ¹Early Boer polity style note: There is no historical evidence that the Boer authorities in the Transvaal passed any statutory legislation with regard to the official name of the state before 21 Sep 1853. "The Standard Encyclopaedia for Southern Africa" notes that "With the adoption of the so-called Thirty-three Articles in 1844, the nameless republic of Potchefstroom-Winburg came into existence."

  The Volksraad records normally referred to the Boer polity as "the Company" ("maatschappij", "maatschappy"), appearing in different word combinations such as "the United Company of the Emigrants" ("de vereenigde Maatschappij der Emigranten") in the resolution concerning public security of 1851 [Notule van die Volksraad, 2:17, Art. 67]. The first international treaty recognizing the independence of the Transvaal Boers known as the Sand River Convention was signed (16 Jan 1852) by the "Delegates of the Emigrant Farmers residing North of the Vaal River" ("Afgewaardigden van de Emigranten Boeren wonende ten Noorden van Vall Rivier") [Notule van die Volksraad, 2:288-290]. Various expressions only occur on letters addressed to the Volksraad, including such expressions as "Volksraad der onafhankelyke Afrikaansche Hollanders, gevestigt benoorden de Vaalrivier" ("People's Council of the independent African-Hollanders, located north of the Vaal River").

  In the rare instances in which the Volksraad was qualified as "of", the most frequent expression is "Volksraad der Hollandsche Emigranten in Zuid Afrika" ("People's Council of the Holland Emigrants in South Africa"). Sometimes it was extended with "het Binnenland van Zuid Afrika achter der Delagoa Baay" ("the interior of South Africa beyond the Delagoa Bay"). The development of political institutions in the Transvaal eventually brought about the emergence of new definitions ("Volksraad der Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, Transvaalrivier" ["People's Council of the South African Republic, Transvaal River"] documented 5 Feb 1853; "Transvaalsche(r) Republiek" 24 Apr 1853, etc.). The style "Hollandsche Afrikaansche Republiek" ("Holland-African Republic") is featuring in the documents related to the real estate transaction in 1853 and was included in the draft of a Constitution submitted for consideration of the Volksraad 9 Nov 1855 but abandoned in favor of a different draft.


Winburg-Potchefstroom/Andries-Ohrigstad/Lydenburg
 
[Voortrekker
                          flag 1837-1848 (South Africa)]
1837 - 1848
[Flag Lydenburg
                          Republic 1858-1860 (South Africa)]
4 Dec 1858 - 4 Apr 1860
Capital: Lijdenburg
(Winburg 1841-1845;
Andries-Ohrigstad 1845-1846)
Population: N/A

17 Jan 1837                Winburg town founded.
 9 Apr 1844                Community established at Winburg-Potchefstroom.
Jun 1845                   Move to Andries-Ohrigstad.
1846                       Andries-Ohrigstad abandoned settlers move to Lydenburg 
                             (Lijdenburg) Territory.
 3 Feb 1848                Incorporated into Orange River Sovereignty.
1849                       Incorporated into Transvaal.
17 Dec 1856                Republic of Lydenburg in South Africa (Republiek Lydenburg
                             in Zuid Afrika) established.

 4 Apr 1860                Incorporated into South-African Republic.

Commandants and Governors
17 Jan 1837 -  1 Sep 1838  Andries Hendrik Potgieter (1st time)  (b. 1792 - d. 1845)
 1 Sep 1838 -  9 Apr 1844  Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus             (b. 1798 - d. 1853)
                             Pretorius 
 9 Apr 1844 -  8 Jun 1846  Andries Hendrik Potgieter (2nd time)  (s.a.)
 1 Sep 1846 - 22 Sep 1846  Johannes Gerhardus Stephanus          (b. 1798 - d. 1848)
                             Bronkhorst
(chairman of Volksraad)
22 Sep 1846 - 1849         Andries Hendrik Potgieter (3rd time)  (s.a.)
Jan 1851 - 1859            Willem François Joubert               (b. 1801 - d. 1891)
1859 -  4 Apr 1860         Joseph van Dyck
Chairmen of the Volksraad of the Republic of Lydenburg in South Africa
17 Dec 1856 - 18..         Philippus Jeremias Coetser            (b. 1819 - d. 1898)
18.. -  4 Apr 1860         Cornelis Potgieter


Utrecht

[Republic of Utrecht
                        1854-1858 (South Africa)]
1854 - 8 May 1858
 


Capital: Utrecht
Population: N/A

1852                       Utrecht settlement.
1854                       Republic of Utrecht (Republiek Utrecht) established.
 8 May 1858                Incorporated into Republic of Lijdenburg.

Landdrosts (magistrates)
1852 - 1855                Andreas Theodorus Spies (1st time)    (b. 1800 - d. 1889)
1855 - Feb 1856            Johannes Christoffel Steyn            (b. 1799 - d. 1887)
Feb 1856 -  8 May 1858     Andreas Theodorus Spies (2nd time)    (s.a.)


New Republic

[New Republic
                          (Nieuwe Republiek) 1884-1888 (South Africa)]
16 Aug 1884 - 20 Jul 1888
 

[New Republic (Nieuwe
                        Republiek) 1884 as adopted (South Africa)]
Version as Approved 13 Nov 1884
Capital: Vrijheid
Population: N/A

 6 Aug 1884                 Installation of executive and legislative authorities at
                              at Hlobane Hill, Natal.
16 Aug 1884                 New Republic (Nieuwe Republiek) proclaimed, also known as
                              the  Republic of Vrijheid (Freedom).
22 Oct 1886                 Recognized by U.K.
20 Jul 1888                 Incorporated into South-African Republic.
 1 Jan 1903                 Transferred to Natal.

State President (Staatspresident van de Nieuwe Republiek)
 6 Aug 1884 - 21 Jul 1888   Lucas Johannes Meijer             (b. 1846 - d. 1902)
                              (acting to 5 Jun 1885)


Little Free State

[Klein Vrystaat
                          (Little Republic) 1886-1891 (South Africa)]
1886 - 2 May 1891
 


Capital: Klein Vrijstaat
Population: 72 (1886)

10 Mar 1886                Commonwealth of the Little Republic (Gemenebes van de Klein
                             Vrijstaat) established, also known
as the Republic of
                            
Little Free State (Klein Vrijstaat).
 2 May 1891                Incorporated into South-African Republic.

Chairman of the Committee (Voorzitter van de Comité)
10 Mar 1886 -  2 May 1891  J.J. Bezuidenhout 


Griqua

[Griqua flag (South
                        Africa)]
Adopted 1902 as the Griqua Flag

Note: Although the Griqua polities are widely scattered and end up being incorporated 
into different provinces/polities, their records are assembled here because of the 
ethnic and clan-led continuity (except for the Klipdrift Republic, a European mining
enterprise). The starting point is in what became Griqualand West; Campbell and
Philippolis are the result of migration led by the Kok family; this migration ended 
in what became Griqualand East.

Griqualand West
 
Capital: Kimberley
(Griquatown 1813-1871)
Population: N/A

1813                       Griquatown
20 Dec 1820                Waterboer's Land
27 Oct 1871                British territory of Griqualand West (under Cape Colony).
16 Jul 1873                Province of Griqualand West
16 Oct 1880                Incorporated into Cape Colony.

Chieftains (Kaptyns)
1813 - 1819                Barend Barends                     (b. af.1770 - d. 1839)
                           + Adam Kok II                      (b. 1771 - d. 1835)
20 Dec 1820 - 13 Dec 1852  Andries Waterboer                  (b. 1789 - d. 1852)
13 Dec 1852 - 27 Oct 1871  Nicolaas Waterboer                 (b. 1819 - d. 1896)
British Civil Commissioner
27 Oct 1871 - 10 Jan 1873  Joseph Millerd Orpen               (b. 1828 - d. 1923)
Lieutenant governor

10 Jan 1873 -  3 Aug 1875  Richard Southey                    (b. 1808 - d. 1901)
Governor
16 Jul 1873 -  1 Oct 1875  the governor of Cape Colony
Administrators of the government

 1 Oct 1875 - 17 Nov 1875  Jacob Dirk Barry (acting)          (b. 1832 - d. 1905)
17 Nov 1875 - 15 Oct 1880  Sir William Owen Lanyon            (b. 1842 - d. 1887)
12 Mar 1877 - Jun? 1877    Jacob Dirk Barry                   (s.a.)
                             (acting for Lanyon)              (b. 1832 - d. 1905)
1879 - Oct 1879            Charles Warren (acting for Lanyon) (b. 1840 - d. 1927)
1879 - Jan 1880            Jacobus Petrus de Wet              (b. 1838 - d. 1900)
                             (acting for Lanyon)  
1880 - 15 Oct 1880         James Rose-Innes, Jr.              (b. 1824 - d. 1906)
                             (acting for Lanyon)    


Campbell (Kok's Land)
 
Capital: Campbell
Population: N/A

1813                      Campbell Lands
May 1824                  Renamed Cornelis Kok's Land.
1857                      Incorporated into Cape Colony.

Resident
1813 - 1819               John Campbell                      (b. 1766 - d. 1840)
Chieftains (Kaptyns)
1819 - 1824               Adam Kok II                        (s.a.)
1824 - 1857               Cornelis Kok II                    (b. 1778 - d. 1859)


Klipdrift Republic (Digger's Republic)
 
[Digger's (Free)
                          Republic 1870 (South Africa)]
16 Sep 1870 - 1870 
[Klipdrift
                          Republic 1870 (South Africa)]
1870 - 13 Dec 1870
Capital: Klipdrift
Population: N/A

30 Jul 1870                Republic of Griqualand West, also called 
                             Klipdrift Republic or Digger's Republic,
                             or Free Republic.
13 Dec 1870                Incorporated into Cape Colony.

President
30 Jul 1870 - 13 Dec 1870  Stafford Parker                    (b. 1833 - d. 1915)
British Special Magistrate
30 Nov 1870 - 27 Oct 1871  John Campbell
 1 Mar 1871 - 27 Oct 1871  Maximillian James Jackson          (b. 1839 - d. 1923)
                             (acting for Campbell)


Philippolis (Adam Kok's Land)
 
Capital: Philippolis
Population: N/A

25 Aug 1825                Philippolis, also called Adam Kok's Land
26 Dec 1861                Incorporated into Orange Free State.

Chieftains (Kaptyns)
25 Aug 1825 - 1827         Adam Kok II (1st time)             (b. c.1771 - d. 1835)
1827 - 1828                Cornelis Kok III                 
1828 - 12 Sep 1835         Adam Kok II (2nd time)             (s.a.)
12 Sep 1835 - 1836         Adam Kok III (1st time)            (b. 1810 - d. 1875) 
                             (provisional)
Feb 1836 - Jul 1837        Abraham Kok
Jul 1837 - Sep 1837        Brend Lucas (provisional)
Sep 1837 - 26 Dec 1861     Adam Kok III (2nd time)            (s.a.)


Griqualand East
 
Capital: Kokstad
Population: N/A

26 Dec 1861                Griqualand East (New Griqualand)
Oct 1874                   Incorporated into Cape Colony.

Chieftains (Kaptyns)
26 Dec 1861 - 31 Dec 1875  Adam Kok III                       (s.a.)
31 Dec 1875 - 1876         Adam "Eta" Kok (provisional)
1876 - 1879                Cornelis van der Westhuis

British Resident for Nomansland (in Kokstad)
Aug 1873 - 25 Mar 1875     Joseph Millerd Orpen               (b. 1828 - d. 1923)



South Africa

31 May 1910                Union of South Africa (Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State
                             and the Transvaal united as a dominion).
11 Dec 1931                Statute of Westminster grants full sovereignty to the 
                             British dominions (effective in South Africa with Royal
                             assent 22 Jun 1934).
31 May 1961                Republic of South Africa

Kings/Queens¹
31 May 1910 - 31 May 1961  the Kings/Queens of the United Kingdom
Governors-general2 (representing the British monarch as head of state)
(to 6 Apr 1931 also High Commissioners for Southern Africa)
31 May 1910 -  8 Sep 1914  Herbert John Gladstone, Viscount   (b. 1854 - d. 1930)
                             Gladstone 
 2 Sep 1914 –  8 Sep 1914  Sir James Rose-Innes               (b. 1855 - d. 1942)
                             (acting for Gladstone)
11 Jul 1914 -  2 Sep 1914  Johan Henry de Villiers, Baron     (b. 1842 - d. 1814)
                             de Villiers
                            (acting for Gladstone)
 8 Sep 1914 - 20 Nov 1920  Sydney Charles Buxton,             (b. 1853 - d. 1934)
                             Viscount Buxton of Newtimber
                            (from 8 Nov 1920, Sydney Charles 
                             Buxton, Earl Buxton) 
 3 Sep 1920 - 20 Nov 1920  Sir James Rose-Innes               (s.a.)
                             (acting for Buxton)
20 Nov 1920 - 21 Jan 1924  Prince Arthur Frederick Patrick    (b. 1883 - d. 1938)
                             Albert of Connaught and Strathearn
11 Dec 1923 - 21 Jan 1924  Sir James Rose-Innes               (s.a.)
                             (acting for Prince Arthur)
21 Jan 1924 - 26 Jan 1931  Augustus Alexander George          (b. 1874 - d. 1957)
                             Cambridge, Earl of Athlone 
10 Dec 1930 - 26 Jan 1931  Jacob Abraham Jeremy de Villiers   (b. 1868 - d. 1932)
                             (acting for Earl of Athlone)
26 Jan 1931 -  5 Apr 1937  George Herbert Hyde Villiers,      (b. 1877 - d. 1955)
                             Earl of Clarendon         
19 Mar 1937 -  5 Apr 1937  John Stephen Curlewis              (b. 1863 - d. 1940)
                             (acting for Earl of Clarendon)
 5 Apr 1937 - 17 Jul 1943  Sir Patrick Duncan                 (b. 1870 - d. 1943)
17 Jul 1943 - 19 Jul 1943  Vacant
19 Jul 1943 -  1 Jan 1946  Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet (acting)   (b. 1873 - d. 1960)

 1 Jan 1946 -  1 Jan 1951  Gideon Brand van Zyl               (b. 1873 - d. 1956)
 1 Jan 1951 - 25 Nov 1959  Ernest George Jansen               (b. 1881 - d. 1959)
26 Nov 1959 - 12 Jan 1960  Lucas Cornelius Steyn (1st time)   (b. 1903 - d. 1976)
                             (acting)
12 Jan 1960 -  1 May 1961  Charles Robberts Swart             (b. 1894 - d. 1982)
 1 May 1961 - 31 May 1961  Lucas Cornelius Steyn (2nd time)   (s.a.)
                             (acting)
State Presidents
31 May 1961 - 31 May 1967  Charles Robberts Swart             (s.a.)               NP
 
1 Jun 1967 - 10 Jan 1968  Theophilus Ebenhaezer "Eben"       (b. 1898 - d. 1968)  NP
                             Dönges (did not take office)
 1 Jun 1967 - 10 Apr 1968  Jozua François "Tom" Naudé (acting)(b. 1889 - d. 1969)  NP

10 Apr 1968 -  9 Apr 1975  Jacobus Johannes "Jim" Fouché      (b. 1898 - d. 1980)  NP
 9 Apr 1975 - 19 Apr 1975  Johannes "Jan" de Klerk (acting)   (b. 1903 - d. 1979)  NP
19 Apr 1975 - 21 Aug 1978  Nicolaas "Nico" Johannes Diederichs(b. 1903 - d. 1978)  NP
14 Aug 1978 - 10 Oct 1978  Marais Viljoen (1st time)          (b. 1915 - d. 2007)  NP
                             (acting [for Diederichs to 21 Aug 1978]) 
10 Oct 1978 -  4 Jun 1979  Balthazar Johannes "B.J." Vorster  (b. 1915 - d. 1983)  NP
 4 Jun 1979 -  3 Sep 1984  Marais Viljoen (2nd time)          (s.a.)               NP
                             (acting to 19 Jun 1979)
 3 Sep 1984 - 15 Aug 1989  Pieter Willem "P.W." Botha         (b. 1916 - d. 2006)  NP
                             (acting to 14 Sep 1984)
19 Jan 1989 - 15 Mar 1989  Jan Christian "Chris" Heunis       (b. 1927 - d. 2006)  NP
                             (acting for Botha)
15 Aug 1989 - 10 May 1994  Frederik Willem "F.W." de Klerk    (b. 1936 - d. 2021)  NP
                             (acting to 20 Sep 1989)
Presidents
10 May 1994 - 16 Jun 1999  Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela          (b. 1918 - d. 2013)  ANC 
16 Jun 1999 - 25 Sep 2008  Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki               (b. 1942)            ANC
25 Sep 2008                Ivy Florence Matsepe-Casaburri (f) (b. 1937 - d. 2009)  ANC
                             (acting)
25 Sep 2008 -  9 May 2009  Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe           (b. 1949)            ANC
 9 May 2009 - 14 Feb 2018  Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma          (b. 1942)            ANC
14 Feb 2018 -              Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa           (b. 1952)            ANC
                             (acting to 15 Feb 2018)

Prime ministers
31 May 1910 - 27 Aug 1919  Louis Botha                        (b. 1862 - d. 1919)  1911: SAP 
 3 Sep 1919 - 30 Jun 1924  Jan Christian Smuts (1st time)     (b. 1870 - d. 1950)  SAP
30 Jun 1924 -  5 Sep 1939  James Barry Munnik "J.B.M."        (b. 1866 - d. 1942)  NP;
                             Hertzog                                            5 Dec 1934: UP
 5 Sep 1939 -  4 Jun 1948  Jan Christian Smuts (2nd time)     (s.a.)               UP
 4 Jun 1948 - 29 Oct 1954  Daniel François "D.F." Malan       (b. 1874 - d. 1959)  NP
29 Oct 1954 - 30 Nov 1954  Nicolaas Christiaan "Klasie"       (b. 1882 - d. 1957)  NP
                             Havenga (acting) 
30 Nov 1954 - 24 Aug 1958  Johannes "Hans" Gerhardus Strijdom (b. 1893 - d. 1958)  NP
24 Aug 1958 -  3 Sep 1958  Charles Robberts Swart (acting)    (s.a.)               NP
 3 Sep 1958 -  6 Sep 1966  Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd           (b. 1901 - d. 1966)  NP
 6 Sep 1966 - 13 Sep 1966  Theophilus Ebenhaezer "Eben"       (s.a.)               NP
                             Dönges (acting) 
13 Sep 1966 - 28 Sep 1978  Balthazar Johannes "B.J." Vorster  (s.a.)               NP
28 Sep 1978 - 14 Sep 1984  Pieter Willem "P.W." Botha         (s.a.)               NP
14 Sep 1984                Post abolished
Chairmen of the Ministers' Councils
3
- House of Assembly (White)-
Sep 1984 - Dec 1984        Sarel Hayward (1st time) (acting)  (b. 1924 - d. 1999)  NP
Dec 1984 - 26 Apr 1985     Cornelius "Nak" van der Merwe      (b. 1920 - d. 1985)  NP
Apr 1985 -  1 Jul 1985     Sarel Hayward (2nd time) (acting)  (s.a.)               NP
 
1 Jul 1985 - Sep 1989     Frederik Willem de Klerk           (s.a.)               NP
Sep 1989 - 20 Jan 1992     Jacobus "Kobie" Coetsee            (b. 1931 - d. 2000)  NP
20 Jan 1992 -  1 Mar 1993  Magnus André de Merindol Malan     (b. 1930 - d. 2011)  NP
 
1 Mar 1993 - Mar 1994     Adriaan Johannes Vlok              (b. 1937 - d. 2023)  NP
- House of Representatives (Coloured)-
Sep 1984 -  3 Feb 1992     Helenard Joe "Allan" Hendrickse    (b. 1927 - d. 2005)  LP 
 
3 Feb 1992 - Mar 1994     Jakobus "Jac" Albert Rabie         (b. 1938 - d. 2008)  NP
- House of Delegates (Indian)-
Sep 1984 - 31 Dec 1988     Amichand Rajbansi                  (b. 1942 - d. 2011)  NPP
 
1 Jan 1989 - 21 Mar 1989  Kassipershad "Kessi" Ramduth       (b. 1921 - d. 2001)  NPP
                             (acting)
Mar 1989 - Feb 1993        Jayaram Narainsamy "J.N." Reddy    (b. 1925 - d. 2019)  Sol
Feb 1993 - Mar 1994        Bhadra Galu Ranchod                (b. 1944)            NP

  ¹Full style of the ruler:
(a) 31 May 1910 - 13 May 1927: "By the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India"; also in official, but not statutory use (Dutch): (a) "Door Gods genade van het Verenigd Koninkrijk van Groot-Brittanje en Ierland en van de Britse Overzeese Bezittingen, Verdediger van het Geloof, Keizer van Indië"; (b) "Bij de gratie Gods, van het Verenigde Koninkrijk van Groot-Brittanje en Ierland en van de Britse Bezittingen over de Zeeën Koning, Verdediger van het Geloof, Keizer van Indië"; (c) "Bij de Gratie Gods van het Verenigde Koninkrijk van Groot-Brittanje en Ierland en van de Britse Overzeese Bezittingen Koning, Verdediger van het Geloof, Keizer van Indië";
(b) 13 May 1927 - 6 Feb 1952: "By the Grace of God of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India"; also in official, but not statutory use (Afrikaans): (a) "By die Grasie van God Koning van Groot Brittanje, Ierland en die Britse Dominiums Oorsee, Verdediger van die Geloof, Keiser van Indië"; (b) "By die Grasie Gods van Groot-Brittanje, Ierland en die Britse Dominiums oorsee Koning, Verdediger van die Geloof, Keiser van Indië"; (c) "Deur Gods Genade, van Groot-Brittanje, Ierland en die Britse Oorseese Geweste Koning, Verdediger van die Geloof, Keiser van Indië"; title "Emperor of India"("Keiser van Indië") was dropped as of 15 Aug 1947 by retroactive proclamation dated 22 Jun 1948;
(d) 6 Feb 1952 - 29 May 1953: "By the Grace of God of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith"; also in official, but not statutory use (in Afrikaans): "Deur Gods Genade, van Groot-Brittanje, Ierland en die Britse Oorsese Geweste Koningin, Verdediger van die Geloof";
(e) 29 May 1953 - 31 May 1961: "Queen of South Africa and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth"; in official use (in Afrikaans): "Koningin van Suid-Afrika en van Haar ander Koninkryke en Gebiede, Hoof van die Statebond."
(f) The government of the Union of South Africa did not desire that "His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act, 1936" (U.K.) should extend to South Africa as part of the law of the Union, and although it assented to its enactment, it passed "His Majesty King Edward the VIII's Abdication Act, 1937," dating the accession of George VI from 10 Dec 1936, which was the date of the Instrument of Abdication by Edward VIII. The date of accession in the United Kingdom was 11 Dec 1936.

  2Full title of the Governor-general:
(a) 31 May 1910 - 5 Apr 1937: "Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Union of South Africa"; (in Dutch): "Goeverneur-generaal en Opperbevelhebber in en over de Unie van Zuid-Afrika"; from 27 May 1925 (in Afrikaans): "Goewerneur-generaal en Opperbevelhebber in en oor die Unie van Suid-Afrika";
(b) 5 Apr 1937 - 1 May 1961: "Governor-General of the Union of South Africa"; (in Afrikaans): "Goewerneur-Generaal van die Unie van Suid-Afrika."

  3the tricameral, three-chamber, parliament was created by the apartheid based Constitution of 1983. The House of Assembly, was the elected white chamber; the House of Representatives was elected by coloured, or mixed race persons; and the House of Delegates was elected by the Indian community. Each chamber had its own cabinet charged with defending the interests of their communities. The House of Representatives and House of Delegates were purely advisory bodies and any bills they passed needed to be passed by the House of Assembly and needed the assent of the white government to become law. Cases of disagreements between the three houses of Parliament on specific legislation would be resolved by the President's Council. The 1983 Constitution made no provision for the representation of Black South Africans.

Territorial Disputes: South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration; the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River

Party abbreviations: ANC = African National Congress (democratic socialist, African nationalist, largely black, banned 1960-1990, est.1912); IFP = Inkatha Freedom Party/Iqembu Lenatha Yenkululeko (conservative, federalist, mainly Zulu, est.1975);
- Former parties: LP = Labour Party (liberal, largely coloured, 1910-1958, 1969-1994); NNP = New National Party/Nuwe Nasionale Party (conservative, mainly Afrikaner, nationalist, former NP, 1997-9 Apr 2005, merged into ANC); NP = National Party/Nasionale Party (Afrikaner nationalist, conservative, Apartheid 1948-1989, 1934-39 merged into UP, split from SAP, 1914-1997, succeeded by NNP); NPP = National People's Party (South Asian/Indian, 1981-1994); SAP = South African Party/Suid-Afrikaanse Party/Zuidafrikaanse Partij (Boer nationalist, social-democratic, merged into UP, 21 Nov 1910-4 Dec 1934); Sol = Solidarity (South Asian/Indian, liberal, est.1984); UP = United National South African Party/Verenigde Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Party ("United Party"/"Verenigde Party", liberal conservative, centrist, 5 Dec 1934-1977)



Prince Edward and Marion Islands

 4 Mar 1663                Discovered by Barent Barentszoon Lam of the Dutch merchant ship
                             Maerseveen, and were named Dina Eylandt (Prince Edward) and
                             Maerseveen Eylandt (Marion).
13 Jan 1772                Sighted by French Capt. Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne (b. 1724 -
                             d. 1772), aboard the frigate La Mascarin, and named Terre de
                             l'Espérance (Marion) and Ȋle de la Caverne (Prince Edward).
13 Dec 1776                Claimed for U.K. by Capt. James Cook (b. 1728 - d. 1779) and named
                             the Prince Edward Islands, for Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and
                             Strathearn (b. 1767 - d. 1820).
1799                       First recorded landing by a group of French sealers on the Sally.
Dec 1803                   Second landing by American Capt. Henry Fanning in the Catherine.
19 Jul 1849                Brig Richard Dart, with a troop of Royal Engineers under Lt. James
                             Liddell, is wrecked on Prince Edward Island; only 10 of the 63
                             on board survive to be rescued later by elephant seal hunters.
 1 Feb 1908                U.K. assumes ownership over the island group. It then grants Dr.
                             William Newton exclusive rights to exploit guano for 21 years.
                             He sells his rights in 1926 to the Kerguelen Sealing & Whaling
                             Company.

16 Oct 1908                Norwegian vessel Solglimt shipwrecked on Marion Island, and the
                             survivors establish a short-lived village at the north coast,
                             Fairbairn Settlement, before being rescued.
 9 Oct 1926 - 21 Mar 1934  Prince Edward Islands, McDonald and Heard Islands leased by U.K.
                             to Kerguelen Sealing & Whaling Company of Cape Town.
17 Dec 1947                Prince Edward Island claimed by South Africa.
29 Dec 1947                Marion Island annexed for South Africa by Lt. Cmdr. John Fairburn
                             (b. 1912 - d. 1984) aboard the frigate HMSAS Transvaal.
 4 Jan 1948                Prince Edward Islands annexed by South Africa (under the
                             jurisdiction of the Cape Town Magistrate's Court, and South
                             African law as applied in the Cape [from 7 May 1994 Western Cape]
                             applies on them. The islands are also deemed to be situated
                             within the electoral district containing the Port of Cape Town)
                            (by 12 Jan 1948 Act No 43 of 1948 effective 7 Oct 1948).
22 Feb 1950                Transfer of sovereignty formally confirmed by U.K. and South Africa
                             exchange of letters (from agreement with U.K. on 24 Jan 1948).
 8 Jan 1960                South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) initiated,
                            
first South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE).
22 Sep 1979                "Vela incident" (South Atlantic Flash) possible nuclear tests
                             recorded off Prince Edward Island by U.S Vela 6911 satellite.
 3 Nov 1995                Prince Edward Islands Special Nature Reserve created.
2003                       Transfer of scientific research functions of the South African
                             National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) from the Department of
                             Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) to the Department of
                             Science and Technology (DST).
21 Jun 2013               
Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area established.
Nov 2021                   South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) established by
                             the National Research Foundation to manage SANAP (within the
                             Department of Science and Innovation).

Directors of Antarctica and Islands, South African National Antarctic
Programme (SANAP)
(in Cape Town)
c.1975                     C.J.J. van Rensburg
19.. - 1985                G.G. Nieuwoudt
1986 - 1989                F. Gaum
1990 - 1998                Dirk J. van Schalkwyk
1999 - 2000                Richard N. Skinner (acting)
2000 - 2013                Henry Richard Valentine
Directors of Southern Ocean and Antarctic Support, South African National
Antarctic Programme (SANAP)
(in Cape Town)
 1 Jul 2013 - Jun 2022     Nishendra "Nish" Devanunthan
Operations Coordinator South African Polar Research Infrastructure
Jun 2022 - Apr 2023        Nishendra "Nish" Devanunthan.
Manger of South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI)
2023 -                     Juliet Hermes (f) (interim)









©  Ben Cahoon