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Zuid Afrikaanse premier dr. H. Verwoerd, Bestanddeelnr. Photo unattributed –

Top 10 Sensational Facts About Hendrik Verwoerd

Verwoerd became prominent in politics in 1937, when he was appointed editor of the new Nationalist daily, Die Transvaler, in Johannesburg. He held that post until the National Party won the 1948 election when he was appointed a senator.

 Becoming minister of native affairs in 1950, he was responsible for much of the apartheid legislation. In the election of 1958, he won a seat in the House of Assembly, and, after the death of Prime Minister Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom, the parliamentary caucus of the National Party selected Verwoerd as his successor in September 1958.

1. Hendrik Verwoerd was born on September 8, 1901, in Amsterdam, Netherlands

HF Verwoerd, editor (Die Transvaler) and future prime minister. Photo by Afrikaners in die Goudstad, deel –

Hendrik Verwoerd, in full Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd was born on September 8, 1901 in Amsterdam , Netherlands. He was a South African professor, editor, and statesman who, as prime minister (1958–66), rigorously developed and applied the policy of apartheid, or separation of the races.

2. His family migrated to South Africa when he was just three months old

Zuid Afrikaanse premier dr. H. Verwoerd, Bestanddeelnr. Photo unattributed –

When Verwoerd was three months old, his family migrated to South Africa. A brilliant scholar at the University of Stellenbosch, he was appointed professor of applied psychology there in 1927. In 1933 he changed to the chair of sociology and social work. 

Once he was in office, Verwoerd’s program for apartheid was applied in full, with an intricate system of laws separating whites, Coloureds (people of mixed European and African or Asian ancestry), Asians, and Africans (blacks).

3. He pushed through the Promotion of Bantu Self  Government Act in 1959

Dr en mev Hendrik Verwoerd en mnr en mev Ian Smith, 1964. Photo by Lycksele-Nord –

 He pushed through the Promotion of Bantu Self  Government Act in 1959; it provided for the resettlement of blacks in eight separate reservations, or Bantu Homelands (later called Bantustans or black states).

These racial policies provoked demonstrations that in March 1960 led to the massacre of Africans protesting the Pass Laws at Sharpville. On October 5, 1960, white voters by a small majority approved his recommendation that South Africa leave the Commonwealth, and Verwoerd’s dream of a republic came true on May 31, 1961.

4. A deranged white farmer shot Verwoerd in an assassination attempt

Assassination attempt on Hendrik Verwoerd 2. David Pratt is overpowered after he shoots Hendrik Verwoerd. Photo by Universal Studios –

On April 9, 1960, a deranged white farmer shot Verwoerd in an assassination attempt that failed. Six years later Verwoerd was stabbed to death in the parliamentary chamber by a temporary parliamentary messenger, Demetrio (also known as Dimitri) Tsafendas, a Mozambique immigrant of mixed descent.

5. He was confined to a prison or a mental asylum for the rest of his life

Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd 7 the Prime Minister of South Africa Church Street Cemetery in Pretoria. Photo by PHParsons –

He initially blamed his actions on instructions he had received from a giant tapeworm in his stomach, was found to be insane, and was confined to a prison or a mental asylum for the rest of his life.

Later interviews with Tsafendas revealed that the assassination was motivated by the great resentment he felt toward the arbitrary racial classifications and policies of apartheid, which had adversely affected his life.

6. Hendrik assumed office as the Prime Minister of South Africa after the death of J.G. Strijdom

Postage stamps of South Africa in commemoration of Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, design Irmin Henkel, 1966. Photo by Irmin Henkel –

Hendrik  Frensch Verwoerd assumed office as the Prime Minister of South Africa after the death of J.G. Strijdom.  An ardent advocate of Apartheid, Verwoerd firmly believed that races should be kept apart and each race should develop along its lines.

 Consequently, under his leadership parliament ratified the Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act in 1959. The Act classified black people into eight ethnic groups, each with its separate homeland.

7. Verwoerd realized his republican dream after two years of taking office

Bust of H.F. Verwoerd in Meyerton, Gauteng, South Africa in 2008. The bust was removed in 2011. Photo by Ossewa –

  Two years after taking office, Verwoerd realized his republican dream, when a White-only referendum supported his plea for a republic. This was also the first time in 12 years of a government that the NP was able to gain a majority in parliament.

8. Verwoerd went to London in March 1961

Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd 7 the Prime Minister of South Africa Church Street Cemetery in Pretoria 027. Photo by PHParsons –

 Given this mandate, Verwoerd went to London in March 1961 to give formal notice to the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers that South Africa was changing from a monarchy to a republic and to argue his case to remain within the British Commonwealth.

9. Verwoerd withdrew his application for membership in the Commonwealth

Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd 7 the Prime Minister of South Africa Church Street Cemetery in Pretoria.  Photo by PHParsons –

 This request for a constitutional change would normally have been granted, but because of South Africa’s Apartheid policy, it was vehemently opposed.

Verwoerd then withdrew his application for membership in the Commonwealth. On 31 May 1961, the Republic of South Africa was established, but within a few years, because of its Apartheid policy, South Africa had become an isolated nation.

10. Hendrik Verwoerd died September 6, 1966, in Cape Town, South Africa

Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd 7 the Prime Minister of South Africa Church Street Cemetery in Pretoria. Photo by PHParsons –

Hendrik Verwoerd died September 6, 1966, in Cape Town, South Africa.  Verwoerd was stabbed and killed by Demetrio Tsafendas on his bench in the House of Assembly on 6 September 1966.

 In 2007, a road named after Hendrik Verwoerd in Randburg Johannesburg was renamed Bram Fischer Drive.