Marais Viljoen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marais Viljoen DMS
State President Marais Viljoen
5th State President of South Africa
In office 4 June 1979 – 4 September 1984
Prime Minister	Pieter Willem Botha
Vice President	Alwyn Schlebusch (1982–1984)
Preceded by	Johannes Vorster
Succeeded by	Pieter Willem Botha
In office 21 August 1978 – 10 October 1978 Acting
Prime Minister	Johannes Vorster Pieter Willem Botha
Preceded by	Nicolaas Diederichs
Succeeded by	Johannes Vorster
President of the Senate
In office 22 January 1976 – 19 June 1979
Preceded by	Johannes de Klerk
Succeeded by	Jimmy Kruger
Personal details
Born	(1915-12-02)2 December 1915 Robertson, Cape Province, Union of South Africa
Died	4 January 2007(2007-01-04) (aged 91) Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Political party	National Party
Spouse	Dorothea Maria Brink ​ ​ (m. 1940; her death 2005)​
Children	Elizabeth Magdalena
Alma mater	University of Cape Town

Marais Viljoen (born December 2, 1915 – died January 4, 2007) was an important South African leader. He served as the last ceremonial State President of South Africa from 1979 to 1984. This means his role was mostly symbolic, like a head of state, but without much direct power. Later, the job changed to a more powerful one.

Early Life and Education

Viljoen in the Netherlands, 1975

Marais Viljoen was the youngest of six children. His parents were Magdalena Debora and Gabriel Francois Viljoen. He married Dorothea Maria Brink in 1940. They had one daughter named Elizabeth Magdalena.

After finishing school at Jan van Riebeeck High School in Cape Town, he started working. He first worked at the Post Office. Later, he worked for an Afrikaans language newspaper called Die Transvaler. This newspaper was edited by Hendrik Verwoerd, who later became a Prime Minister.

Political Career Beginnings

Viljoen began his political journey by being elected to the House of Assembly. He became a MP for Alberton, a town near Johannesburg. He also served as the President of the Senate.

He was even an acting State President for a short time in 1978. Viljoen was seen as a more moderate member of the National Party. This party was in power during the time of apartheid.

Serving as State President

Marais Viljoen became the non-executive State President of South Africa in 1979. He held this position until 1984. During his time, the State President's role was mainly ceremonial. It was similar to the role of the Governor-General, which existed before 1961.

In 1983, a new constitution was introduced. This changed the State President's job to a more powerful, executive role. After this change, Viljoen retired from his position. He was replaced by P. W. Botha, who had been the Prime Minister. Even after retiring, Viljoen remained interested in politics.

Depiction on a Coin

Marais Viljoen's image can be found on a coin. He is shown on the front side of the 1985 1 Rand coin.

Death

Marais Viljoen passed away on January 4, 2007. He died due to heart failure. A state funeral was held for him on January 13, 2007.