Balthazar Johannes Vorster

(John). (1915-1983). Lawyer and politician. Became a member of the Ossewa Brandwag, was interned at Koffiefontein in 1939, then became Minister of Justice in 1961 (adding Police and Prisons in 1966), legendary for his hard attitude. In 1966 became Prime Minister, and under his leadership the country became radically fragmented, as racial conflict escalated, to culminate in the 1976 riots and troops being deployed in townships. At the same time the National Party split into “enlightened” and “conservative” groupings, and the first attempts were made to regain international standing and to connect with the rest of Africa by means of a diplomatic offensive. However this floundered when the army became involved in the Angolan conflict, which led to isolation and the international boycotts. Resigned in 1978 after the “Information Scandal”.

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