Schalk Willem Burger

Schalk Willem Burger
6th President of the South African Republic
In office
11 September 1900  31 May 1902
Preceded by Paul Kruger
Succeeded by Edward VII
As King of the Transvaal
The Viscount Milner
As Administrator of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony
Louis Botha
As Prime Minister of Transvaal Colony (Upon Self Government in 1907)
Personal details
Born (1852-09-06)September 6, 1852
Lydenburg, Transvaal
Died December 5, 1918(1918-12-05) (aged 66)
Goedgedacht, Krugerspos, South Africa
Spouse(s) Alida C De Villiers
Religion Dutch Reformed Church
Military service
Allegiance  South African Republic
Voortrekkers
Rank Commandant
Commands Lydenburg Commandos
Battles/wars Sekhukhune Campaign (1876), Modder River (1899), Spionkop (1900)

Schalk Willem Burger (6 September 1852 – 5 December 1918) was a South African military leader, lawyer, politician, and statesman who was acting President of the South African Republic from 1900 to 1902, whilst Paul Kruger was in exile.[1]

Schalk Willem Burger

Military service

He served in a number of military conflicts such as the Sekhukhune Wars of 1876, and later during the First Boer War of 1881, he served as acting field cornet.

He was elected as commandant of the Lydenburg Commando in 1885. When the Second Boer War started, he served as commandant-general in a number of military conflicts, including the battle of Spion Kop and battle of Modder River on 30 October 1899.

Political career

As a politician, he was described as "enlightened and shrewd" and it was reported that he rivaled Paul Kruger in his influence over his countrymen.[2]

After the Battle of Spion Kop, due to illness, he withdrew from the fighting and pursued his political career once more. He was elected to the Volksraad (House of Assembly) in 1887, later serving as Chairman.

He served as Vice President under President Paul Kruger and later succeeded Kruger as State President, after Kruger had left for Europe.[3]

During the "Krigsraad" (military council / tribunal) in May 1901, he advocated a cessation of hostilities, but his proposal was strongly opposed by President Marthinus Theunis Steyn of the Orange Free State. Burger remained president until the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902.

He died in 1918 at Goedgedacht, near Krugerspos.

References

  1. Nathan, Manfred (1937). The Voortrekkers of South Africa: From the Earliest Times to the Foundation of the Republics. Gordon and Gotch, ltd.
  2. http://www.angloboerwar.com/people/boers/boer_a_b.htm Burger, Vice President Schalk.
  3. http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/bibs/boer/boerwr.htm
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