Smuts: a world statesman

A renowned scholar, soldier and political figure, Jan Smuts rose to prominence while still in his twenties. He went on to become prime minister of the Union of South Africa, and was a key adviser to the British government in both world wars. Graham Jooste looks at Smuts’s life.

Jan Christiaan Smuts was born in 1870 in the village of Riebeek West, 120km north of Cape Town. His childhood was typical of many a young South African farm boy back then; he tended the livestock and spent long days at the plough.

He was 12 when he went to school for the first time. Four years later, he passed the matriculation exam at Victoria College (later Stellenbosch University), then went on to obtain Honours in Science and Literature.

His success at Stellenbosch earned him a scholarship for overseas study, and he chose to read Law at Cambridge, obtaining exceptional results. Returning to South Africa, he set up as a barrister in Cape Town. When clients weren’t forthcoming, he began to divert more and more of his time to politics and journalism.

He was intrigued by the idea of a united South Africa advocated by Cecil John Rhodes, then prime minister of the Cape Colony.

Then came the bombshell of the Jameson Raid. While talking of unity, Rhodes had been plotting against the Boers to capture the rich gold mines along the Reef. Smuts began speaking out against British rule at political meetings.

A short while later, in the Transvaal, a ruling by Chief Justice JG Kotzé in favour of a mining company against the government infuriated President Paul Kruger, who promptly dismissed Kotzé from his post. Lawyers all over were enraged at such a high-handed action.

‘ that wonderful man with his immense, profound mind’

But Smuts published a legal opinion supporting the president. Kruger was grateful for the unexpected support. The two met and Oom Paul appointed the 28-year-old Smuts State Attorney for the Transvaal.

Smuts later drafted the ultimatum to Britain demanding the immediate withdrawal of all troops or else a state of war would exist. It was rejected and the Boer commandos headed for the Natal border to stop the advance. Smuts joined General Koos de la Rey’s commando operating in the Western Transvaal. Military life suited him and he learnt much about guerrilla warfare from his indefatigable leader. After two years of desperate fighting against an ever-increasing foe, the Boers decided on one last desperate gamble: Smuts would slip into the Cape Colony and start an uprising among the Boer sympathisers there.

His epic ride, starting with 250 tough volunteers, covered a distance of some 2 000km and ended at the copper mines of O’Kiep and Springbok. No mass uprising took place, and the Boers surrendered on 31 May 1902. Smuts was instrumental in drafting the legal documents to be ratified between Britain and the Transvaal and Orange Free State republics.

Independence

Smuts later travelled to London and convinced the British government to grant the Transvaal independence

as soon as possible. Four years later, the miracle happened and Louis Botha and Smuts formed a government. Both men then worked tirelessly for the unification of the four provinces. This became a reality in 1910. The Union of South Africa immediately became a member of the British Empire and prospered.

In 1914, Britain and Germany went to war, and South Africa voted to assist Britain in any way it could. Botha’s South West Africa campaign forced the Germans to surrender after a long struggle across the Namibian sands. Smuts insisted that Walvis Bay and the Caprivi Strip be given to South Africa; again he was successful.

Shortly before the war ended, Smuts was called to London and invited to join the British War Cabinet. Here he met up once again with his friend, Winston Churchill, who was then Minister of Munitions.

Prime minister and international honour

Smuts now became Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. In 1920, he helped to draft papers for the formation of the League of Nations, which sought to ensure world peace and resolve disputes.

Back in the Union, Smuts had to put down a miners’ revolt, during which part of Benoni was bombed. He lost the next election and became leader of the opposition. During this time, he was invited by many countries to open and address their parliaments, and all honoured him in one way or another.

Cambridge University welcomed him back as a guest.

“We have had Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, John Milton, Charles Darwin and, of course, Jan Smuts!” said the rector.

Coalition

In 1933, JBM Hertzog and Smuts formed a coalition government. This ‘truce’ was shattered when the Second World War broke out. Smuts wanted to help Britain; Hertzog favoured neutrality.

Eventually, Smuts prevailed and South Africa entered the war. He later received his field marshall’s baton from King George VI. This was the highest rank in the British Army.

Smuts and the South African forces landed in East Africa and faced the Italians in Abyssinia (Ethiopia). After reinstating King Haile Selassie, the Springboks, as they were known, linked up with the British 8th Army. They were instrumental in helping to defeat Field Marshall Erwin Rommel and his crack Afrika Korps. Smuts was often to be seen among his troops, who affectionately called him ‘Oubaas’.

Churchill regarded Smuts as a valuable adviser.

“Jan Smuts, that wonderful man with his immense, profound mind, and his eye watching from a distance the whole panorama of European affairs,” he said. After the war, South Africa helped Britain with gold bullion to rebuild the devastation caused by the conflict. The debt was later settled in full and South Africa received surplus equipment to help establish a defence force.

In 1947, Smuts hosted the Royal Visit of the king and queen and the two princesses. The current queen celebrated her 21st birthday in South Africa during the tour.

Smuts died peacefully at home in 1950.

His achievements included being the only person to sign the peace treaties of both the First and Second World Wars.

• Sources: Smuts, JC. 1952.

Jan Christiaan Smuts. Cassell; Armstrong, HC. 1937. Grey Steel. Arthur Barker.

• Graham Jooste is an author and historical researcher. Email him at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za Subject line: Great tales.

BELOW: Jan Smuts (centre, looking to his right) with his commando in 1901. He excelled at hit-and-run warfare, and the unit evaded and harassed a British force 40 times its size.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED BELOW RIGHT:The statue of Smuts in London’s Parliament Square. After the Second World War, he urged the formation of a new international organisation for peace, and later wrote the first draft of the preamble to the United Nations Charter.

DUTCH NATIONAL ARCHIVES, THE HAGUE RIGHT: Jan Smuts’s importance to the war effort was emphasised by an audacious plan, proposed as early as 1940, to appoint him prime minister of the United Kingdom, should Churchill die or otherwise become incapacitated during the war.