Second Jan Smuts government explained

Cabinet Name:Second Smuts ministry
Cabinet Number:4th
Jurisdiction:the Union of South Africa
Date Formed:5 September 1939
Date Dissolved:1948
Government Head:Jan Smuts
State Head:George VI
Political Party:United Party
Dominion Party
Labour Party
Election:1943
Opposition Party:Purified National Party (1939–1940)
Herenigde Nasionale Party (1940–1948)
Opposition Leader:Daniel François Malan (1939–1940)
J. B. M. Hertzog (1940)
Daniel François Malan (1940–1948)
Previous:J. B. M. Hertzog government
Successor:Daniel François Malan government

Jan Smuts became South African Prime Minister for the second time in 1939, following a split in the United Party. He appointed members of the United Party, Dominion Party and Labour Party to positions in his Cabinet.

Ministers

First Smuts Cabinet

The 1938 general election was won by the United Party, giving J. B. M. Hertzog a fourth consecutive term. In September 1939, the United Party was divided between supporters of Hertzog and those of his Justice Minister Jan Smuts. The split resulted from differences between supporters of neutrality in World War II and those who wanted South Africa to follow the United Kingdom and declare war against Nazi Germany. Finally, Hertzog was outvoted within the United Party and Parliament. He resigned his post as Prime Minister, allowing Jan Smuts to form a new government in coalition with the Dominion Party and Labour Party.

Party keyUnited Party
Dominion Party
Labour Party
OfficeNameDates
Prime MinisterJan Smuts5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Defence
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Agriculture and ForestryWilliam Richard Collins5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Commerce and IndustryRichard Stuttaford5 September 1939 – 1941
Minister of Commerce and IndustrySidney Frank Waterson1941 – 7 July 1943
Minister of EducationJan Hendrik Hofmeyr5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Finance
Minister of the InteriorHarry Lawrence5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Public Health
Minister of JusticeColin Fraser Steyn5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of LabourWalter Bayley Madeley5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Social Affairs
Minister of LandsAndrew Meintjes Conroy5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of MinesCharles Stallard5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Native AffairsDeneys Reitz5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Posts and TelegraphsCharles Francis Clarkson5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Railways and HarboursFrederick Claud Sturrock5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister without portfolioPieter Voltelyn Graham van der Byl5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943

[1]

Second Smuts Cabinet

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South Africa . www.geocities.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071016201150/http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/rotunda/2209/South_Africa.html . 16 October 2007 . dead.