Marthinus Wessel Pretorius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
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| Member of the Triumvirate | |
| In office 8 August 1881 – 9 May 1883 Serving with Paul Kruger and Piet Joubert
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| Preceded by | The Viscount Wolseley As Governor of the Transvaal |
| Succeeded by | Paul Kruger As President of the South African Republic |
| President of the South African Republic | |
| In office 22 October 1866 – 20 November 1871 |
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| Preceded by | Willem Cornelis Janse van Renseburg |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Jacobus Erasmus |
| President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic | |
| In office 6 January 1857 – 15 September 1860 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Johannes Hermanus Grobler |
| In office 10 May 1864 – 22 October 1866 |
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| Preceded by | Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg As Acting President |
| Succeeded by | Daniël Jacobus Erasmus As Acting President |
| State President of the Orange Free State | |
| In office 8 February 1860 – 20 June 1863 |
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| Preceded by | Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff |
| Succeeded by | Johannes Brand |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
17 September 1819 Graaff Reinet, Cape Colony |
| Died | 19 May 1901 (aged 81) Potchefstroom, South African Republic |
| Resting place | Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  South African Republic Orange Free State Voortrekkers |
| Rank | Commandant General |
| Commands | Transvaal Commandos |
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (17 September 1819 – 19 May 1901) was an important political leader in South Africa. He was an Afrikaner, also known as a "Boer." He played a key role in setting up the South African Republic (ZAR), which was also called Transvaal. He became the first president of the ZAR and even helped write its rules, known as the constitution.
Marthinus Pretorius was born in the Cape Colony. He later travelled with his father, Andries Pretorius, who was a famous Voortrekker leader. The Voortrekkers were groups of Dutch-speaking settlers who moved inland from the Cape Colony. After his father passed away in 1853, Marthinus took over his role. He became the Commandant-General for the Boer settlers living near the city of Potchefstroom. He moved from his farm to Potchefstroom and served as Commandant-General there from 1853 to 1856.
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Becoming a Leader
In 1857, the new South African Republic (ZAR) chose Pretorius as its first President. He wanted to bring the ZAR and the Orange Free State closer together. So, in 1859, he also became the State President of the Orange Free State. This caused some problems in the ZAR, and because of this, he stepped down as President of the ZAR in 1860.
Second Term as President
After serving as President of the Orange Free State until 1863, Pretorius was re-elected as President of the ZAR in 1864. He served a second term until 1871. Later, between 1880 and 1883, Pretorius was part of a group of three leaders, called a "triumvirate," who jointly led the state. He passed away on 19 May 1901 in Potchefstroom. He was also a notable Freemason in South Africa.
Founding the City of Pretoria
Marthinus Pretorius wanted to create a new town. Between 1854 and 1855, he bought two farms called Elandspoort and Daspoort. On these farms, he founded the city of Pretoria in 1855.
How Pretoria Got Its Name
A church leader, Ds. van der Hoff, first named the church group in this area "Pretoria Philadelphia." This name honoured Pretorius' father, Andries Pretorius. Later, the town's name was shortened to just Pretoria. Five years after it was founded, Pretoria became the capital city of the ZAR, moving the capital from Potchefstroom.
