Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom

Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom was Prime Minister of South Africa from 30 November 1954 to 24 August 1958.

He was born 14 July 1893 on the family farm in Klipfontein. He trained as a lawyer. In 1929 he became the Member of Parliament for Waterberg.

On 30 November 1954, he was elected leader of the National Party and became Prime Minister of South Africa. Strijdom's extreme policies resulted in the removal of Coloureds from the common voters roll and the extended 'treason trial' of 156 activists (including Nelson Mandela) involved in the Freedom Charter.

After a short term in office he died on 24 August 1958 in Cape Town.

There are still various monuments in his name South Africa. One monument, which included a bust, in central Pretoria collapsed in 2001 injuring 2 people. His house in Nylstroom (now Modimolle) is now a museum.