SOUTH AFRICA: Death of the Lion

Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom was eight years old when the savagely fought Boer War ended in British victory. His life was devoted to reversing that judgment of history. When he died last week at 65, after a long illness (heart disease), wasted away to less than 100 Ibs., Prime Minister Strijdom, hailed by his Nationalist supporters as "the Lion of the Transvaal," had nearly accomplished his object.

A stocky man, thin-lipped and blue-eyed, who orated in harsh, leonine gutturals, Strijdom was the son of a Dutch ostrich farmer in Cape of Good Hope Province. By turns a farmer, lawyer, newspaper publisher...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!