Hendrik Verwoerd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd
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| 7th Prime Minister of South Africa | |
| In office 2 September 1958 – 6 September 1966 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II (1958–1961) |
| President | Charles Robberts Swart (1961–1966) |
| Governor-General | Ernest George Jansen (1958–1959) Charles Robberts Swart (1959–1961) |
| Preceded by | Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom |
| Succeeded by | T. E. Dönges as Acting Prime Minister |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1901 Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands |
| Died | 6 September 1966 (aged 64) Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Resting place | Heroes' Acre, Pretoria |
| Political party | National Party |
| Spouse(s) | Betsie Schoombie |
| Children | 7 |
| Occupation | Politician |
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd (September 8, 1901 - September 6, 1966) was Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 to 1966. He was the person chiefly responsible for apartheid. He was born in the Netherlands. His parents emigrated to southern Africa when he was two years old. In 1950, Verwoerd became Minister of Native Affairs (native meant the black Africans in the country). He was Prime Minister from 1958 to 1966, when he was murdered. Verwoerd was associated with the National Party.
Verwoerd is often called the "Architect of Apartheid" for his role in apartheid policy when he was Minister of Native Affairs and then Prime Minister. Verwoerd once described apartheid as a "policy of good neighbourliness".
On 9 April 1960 a white farmer named David Pratt attempted to murder Verwoerd by shooting him, but Verwoerd survived the attack.
In 1960, Verwoerd announced that he planned to hold a referendum in South Africa on whether to remain a Commonwealth realm under the British monarch's rule or become a republic. The South African Parliament (a kind of legislature) voted to present the referendum to the people, and it was held in October. Voters were asked if they wanted to remain under the British monarch's rule, or become a republic. 52% voted to change to a republic. South Africa became a republic on May 31, 1961.
The National Party government under Verowoerd continued to develop the military, and it successfully made new developments in arms production including aircraft, small arms, armed vehicles, and even nuclear weapons.
Three days before his death, Verwoerd held talks with the Prime Minister of the Lesotho, one of the native tribes in South Africa, Chief Leabua Jonathan, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Following the meeting, a joint statement was issued by the two governments with special emphasis on "co-operation without interference in each others' internal affairs".
On 6 September 1966, Verwoerd was murdered in Cape Town, shortly after entering the House of Assembly at 2:15 pm.
Images for kids
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Apartheid-era sign in English, Afrikaans, and Zulu, reserving a Durban beach "for the sole use of members of the white race group"; Verwoerd is widely considered to be the "architect of apartheid".
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Verwoerd's grave at Hero's Acre in Pretoria
