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.

- Graham Jooste

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. 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.