Christiaan Willem Smuts

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The Honourable Christiaan Willem Smuts
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Prime Minister of the Republic of South Africa
In office
September 19, 2004 — August 4, 2007
Political party United Party
Preceded by Thabo Mbeki
Succeeded by Festus Mogae

Born April 3, 1956
Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, South Africa
Spouse Elisabeth Smuts
Profession Politician, lawyer, university professor
Religion Dutch Reformed
Languages Afrikaans, Dutch, English, French

The Honourable Christiaan Willem Smuts (b. April 3, 1956) was the Prime Minister of the Republic of South Africa from September 19, 2004 through August 4, 2007. He is the leader of the United Party and currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition.

[edit] Early life

Smuts's father, Pieter, was reportedly a distant cousin of the famous South African statesman Jan Smuts (though no concrete evidence exists to support this, and most historians believe it to be false). His mother, Kim, was a Dutch nurse who emigrated to South Africa in her late teens. Pieter was a career military officer who fought with distinction and courage during the Second World War and returned from that conflict with a resolutely anti-racist outlook, having witnessed firsthand the barbarity of the National Socialist regime. As such, Pieter was vocal in his support of the liberal/progressive wing of the ruling United Party, particularly men such as Jan Hofmeyr, with whom he became casual friends.

His father and mother met in 1948 and married on June 6, 1950; six years later, Christiaan was born. He was an only child.

to be continued

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