State President of the Orange Free State

Last updated

State President of the Orange Free State
Staatspresident van de Oranje Vrijstaat
Coat of arms of the Orange Free State.svg
Johannes Brand00.jpg
Longest serving
Johannes Brand

2 February 1864–14 July 1888
Style His Excellency
Residence Old Presidency, Bloemfontein
Term length 5 years
Formation13 September 1854
First holder Josias Philip Hoffman
Final holder Martinus Theunis Steyn
Abolished31 May 1902

The state president of the Orange Free State had the executive authority in the Orange Free State. By the constitution of 1854, the president was elected by the Burghers, from a list of candidates nominated by the Volksraad for a term of five years. There was no limit on the number of re-elections. [1]

Contents

The Old Presidency in Bloemfontein The Presidency, Bloemfontein - page 321 of "Battles of the nineteenth century" (1901).jpg
The Old Presidency in Bloemfontein

List of officeholders

No.PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of office
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 JPHoffman litho web.jpg Josias Philip Hoffman
(1807–1879) [a]
24 February 185410 February 1855351 days
JJ Koos Venter.png Jacobus Johannes Venter
(1814–1889) [b]
10 February 185527 August 1855198 days
2 JNBoshoff litho web.jpg Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff
(1808–1881)
27 August 18556 September 18594 years, 10 days
Esaias Reynier Snijman
(1822–1884)
Acting
6 September 18598 February 1860155 days
3 Marthinus Wessel Pretorius.jpg Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
(1819–1901)
8 February 186017 June 18633 years, 159 days
Joseph Allison
Acting for absent Pretorius
18 March 186317 June 186391 days
Vacant (17 June – 20 June 1863) [c]
JJ Koos Venter.png Jacobus Johannes Venter
(1814–1889)
Acting
20 June 18632 February 1864227 days
4 Johannes Brand00.jpg Sir Johannes Henricus Brand , GCMG
(1823–1888)
2 February 186414 July 1888 24 years, 163 days
PJBlignaut CHM VA1075.jpg Pieter Jeremias Blignaut
(1841–1909) [d]
14 July 188810 January 1889180 days
5 WFReitz CHM VA0957.jpg Francis William Reitz
(1844–1934)
10 January 188911 December 18956 years, 335 days
PJBlignaut CHM VA1075.jpg Pieter Jeremias Blignaut
(1841–1909)
Acting
11 December 18954 March 189684 days
6 Marthinus Steyn, Orange Free State president.jpg Martinus Theunis Steyn
(1857–1916)
4 March 189631 May 19026 years, 88 days
Second Boer War (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902)
Christiaan de Wet2.jpg Christiaan Rudolf de Wet
(1854–1922)
Acting for Steyn
29 May 190231 May 19022 days
Post abolished with the Treaty of Vereeniging
British annexation (Orange River Colony)

Timeline

Christiaan de WetSecond Boer WarMartinus Theunis SteynFrancis William ReitzPieter Jeremias BlignautJohannes BrandJoseph Allison (South African politician)Marthinus Wessel PretoriusEsaias Reynier SnijmanJacobus Nicolaas BoshoffJacobus Johannes VenterJosias Philip HoffmanState President of the Orange Free State

Last election

CandidateVotes%
Martinus Theunis Steyn 6,87783.42
John G. Fraser 1,36716.58
Total8,244100.00
Source: South African History Online

See also

Notes

  1. Styled as President of the Provisional Government (until 29 March 1854), President of the Volksraad (until 15 April 1854), Acting State President (until 13 September 1854) and State President (from 13 September 1854).
  2. Styled as Provisional State President (until 15 February 1855) and Chairman of the Executive Committee (from 15 February 1855).
  3. The office of State President was vacant between 17 June 1863 when the Volksraad accepted the resignation of Pretorius and 20 June 1863 when Venter was sworn in.
  4. Styled as Chairman of the Executive Council (until 21 August 1888) and Acting State President (from 21 August 1888).

References

  1. McCall Theal, George (1908). History of South Africa Since September 1795 (PDF). SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO.