Schalk Willem Burger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Schalk Willem Burger
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| 6th President of the South African Republic | |
| In office 11 September 1900 – 31 May 1902 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Kruger |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 September 1852 Lydenburg, Transvaal |
| Died | 5 December 1918 (aged 66) Goedgedacht, South Africa |
| Spouse | Alida C. De Villiers |
| Signature | _-_Schalk_Willem_Burger_signature.jpg){kind=small} |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  South African Republic |
| Commands | Lydenburg Commando |
| Wars |
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Schalk Willem Burger (born September 6, 1852 – died December 5, 1918) was an important figure in South African history. He was a military leader, a lawyer, and a politician. He even served as the acting president of the South African Republic from 1900 to 1902. This happened while the main president, Paul Kruger, was away in Europe. When he was 21, Burger worked as a clerk. During this time, he married Alida Claudina de Villiers.
Military Leader
Schalk Willem Burger took part in several military conflicts. He served in the Sekhukhune Wars in 1876. Later, during the First Boer War in 1881, he was an acting field cornet. A field cornet was a local military leader.
In 1885, he was chosen as the commandant of the Lydenburg Commando. A commandant was a higher military leader. When the Second Boer War began, he served as a commandant-general. He was involved in major battles like the Battle of Spion Kop and the Battle of Modder River in October 1899. Some people criticized his military skills during these times. After these events, Burger focused more on his work in government.
Political Life
As a politician, Schalk Willem Burger was known for being smart and clever. People said he was almost as influential as President Paul Kruger. After the Battle of Spion Kop, he became ill and left the fighting. He then focused on his political career again.
In 1887, he was elected to the Volksraad. The Volksraad was like the parliament or main government body of the South African Republic. He served as the Chairman of the Volksraad from 1895 to 1896.
In March 1900, after the death of Piet Joubert, Burger became the Vice President. He served under President Paul Kruger. In September 1900, when Kruger left for Europe, Burger took over as the acting state president.
In May 1901, during a military meeting, Burger suggested that the fighting should stop. However, President Marthinus Theunis Steyn of the Orange Free State strongly disagreed. Burger remained president until the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed on May 31, 1902. This treaty officially ended the Second Boer War.
After the war, Burger traveled to Europe, visiting places like The Hague. In 1905, he helped start the Het Volk Party. He easily won a seat on the Legislative Council. Burger was also a representative for the Transvaal at the National Convention in 1908. This meeting led to the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
After the Union of South Africa was formed, Burger joined the South African Party. He became the chairman of the party's branch in Transvaal. In 1911, he became a member of the Transvaal Executive Committee. He was elected to the Senate in 1913 and served there until he passed away on December 5, 1918.
A street in Rotterdam, in the Afrikaanderwijk neighborhood, was named Schalk Burgerstraat in his honor. He died in 1918 at Goedgedacht, near Krugerspos.
