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Top 10 Facts about Paul Kruger

Kruger in 1883. Photo sourced from

Paul Kruger was born in 1825 in Bulhoek, an area of cape colony on a farm called Steynsburg. He was born to Casper Jan Hendrik Kruger who was a farmer and his wife Elsje, a family that was Dutch-speaking.

His two first names, Stephanus Johannes were given to him after his paternal grandfather but are rarely used. Paul Kruger was baptized in 1826.

When he was about eight years his mother passed away soon after they had bought a farm of their own. His father Casper soon remarried and had more children with a second wife named Heiletje.

Paul Kruger learned reading and writing from his close relative. The only study he undertook was a three months study from a tutor who was traveling.

Below are the top ten facts about Paul Kruger since his birth in 1825

1. Kruger Cut off Remaining Part of his Finger after an Injury While Hunting

Paul Kruger 1865. The loss of his left thumb is visible. Photo by Mr Jeffreys.

Paul Kruger began hunting at an early age of fourteen years when he shot a lion for the first time.

During his hunting season, Kruger was almost killed on several occasions around 1845 while he hunted rhinoceros. The elephant gun exploded in his hand and his left thumb was injured.

He wrapped up his figure with a handkerchief and further treated it. Later he decided to cut off the remaining part of the thumb with a pocket knife.

2. He Established Kruger National Park

Two Burchell’s zebra in the central Kruger National Park, South Africa. Photo by Nithin bolar.

The Kruger National Park was established by Paul Kruger who was the reigning president of the Transvaal Republic. The park is found in South Africa and it is the oldest park in Africa and is commonly referred to as the people’s park.

Paul Kruger also established a no-hunting zone in the park to protect the wild animals. The park can accommodate a variety of people of different financial classes as it ranges from pocket-friendly accommodation to five-star lodges.

3. Paul Kruger Belonged to the Dropper Group

The dropper was a group of people that pursued the strict interpretation of the Calvinist doctrine. They biased their beliefs and theology toward the old testament of the bible.

Paul constantly referred to the scriptures, quoted, and knew most of the bible verses from the heart.

At one time he was physically and mentally drained and was in the midst of a spiritual crisis.

He spent a few days trying to establish a good relationship with God without food and water. Later on, a search party found him almost dead due to hunger and thirst.

4. He Became the South African President

Paul Kruger was first elected as the commandant general in the year 1863. He later resigned soon after Thomas Burgers was elected the president, a position he had held for a decade.

Paul was later elected as the vice president just before the country was annexed by the British. He served as a member of an executive political institution ruled by three powerful individuals for three years and was later elected as the president.

5. Paul Kruger Led the Boers

A Boer trench during the siege of Mafeking. Photo by Skeoch Cumming. Wikimedia

Paul Kruger was a farmer, soldier, and well-known statesman well recognized in South Africa’s great history.

Being the Boer’s leader was the major reason why Paul gained such a good reputation as a champion for leading the people to regain independence.

He visited England in 1877 to talk to the government to undo the annexation which the government refused. This led Paul to organize a resistance movement against the British administration.

He led the Boers until when they finally submitted to the British authority.

6. Kruger was Not Educated

Paul did not have any formal education since his childhood. The only formal education he had was writing and reading which he had acquired from his relative.

He also received a lot of religious instructions from his parents according to Calvinism. Although he was not educated, he had a thorough knowledge of things such as detecting the moves of his opponents and turning them to his advantage.

7. He Reigned as President During the Gold Rush

Three years after Paul Kruger was elected as the president, more gold was discovered and this began the many problems he faced. He established some major policies that made it difficult to mine the gold.

This decision increased the cost of gold in the country and the newcomers did not also make any profit.

The gold rush came in when both the British and the Dutch wanted the field where gold was discovered. This led Kruger to be forced out of the presidency and fled to Europe.

8. Paul Kruger Helped Regain Transvaal’s Independence

This was during the first war of the Boers which was for the independence that took place in 1880. It was a time when Paul was elected the president of Transvaal.

Kruger led forces to defeat the British forces and played a significant role in negotiating for Transvaal’s independence.

Later in 1884 at a conference in London Kruger was successful in negotiating the independence of the republic.

9. He was offered Help by the German.

It was noticed after a raid had failed by the United Kingdom that the German, Kaiser had helped the Transvaal republic. The help from the German altered the power balance both in Africa and in Europe.

Paul Kruger had met with Kaiser and his chancellor during his trip to European. Due to the union of the two, the British responded by gathering forces all around the border o the Boers republic.

10. Paul Kruger was Exiled

Kruger leaving for Europe in 1900—he would never return. Photo sourced from wikimedia

The exiling of Paul Kruger took place while he was the sitting president . He left for Europe to seek refuge.

This took place in the year 1900 after the battle which turned against the Boers and he lived the rest of his life in exile. He refused to return due to the massive British victory in the war.

He later died in Switzerland at the age of 78 and his body was carried back to South Africa and buried in the Heroes’ Acre.

Paul Kruger is depicted as a very courageous man who loved  his people. He was not schooled but was very knowledgeable and skillful when it came to battles.

Paul Kruger became well known specifically as a soldier who led the Boers into war and emerged victorious.