Jacobus Johannes Fouché | |
|---|---|
) Jacobus Johannes Fouché in 1968 | |
| 2nd State President of South Africa | |
| In office 10 April 1968 – 9 October 1975 | |
| Prime Minister | B. J. Vorster |
| Preceded by | Tom Naudé |
| Succeeded by | Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 14 December 1959 – 1 April 1966 | |
| Prime Minister | Hendrik Verwoerd B. J. Vorster |
| Preceded by | Frans Erasmus |
| Succeeded by | P. W. Botha |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 June 1898 Wepener, Orange Free State (now in South Africa) |
| Died | 23 September 1980 (aged 82) Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse(s) | Letta McDonald (m. 1920) |
| Children | 2 |
| Nickname(s) | Jim |
Jacobus Johannes "Jim" Fouché, DMS (6 June 1898 – 23 September 1980[1]) also known as J. J. Fouché was a South African politician who served as the second State President of South Africa from 1968 to 1975.
Early life
Born in the Boer republic of the Orange Free State in 1898, (which became a British colony in 1902 and a province of the Union of South Africa in 1910) and matriculated at Paarl Boys' High School.
Career
Fouché was a successful farmer. A staunch republican, he was a member of the National Party for many years, first being elected to the House of Assembly as MP for Smithfield from 1941 to 1950, and as MP for Bloemfontein West between 1960 and 1968.
Fouché served as Administrator of the Orange Free State from 1950 to 1959, and was then promoted to the Cabinet, where he served as Minister of Defence from 14 December 1959 to 1 April 1966[2] and as Minister of Agricultural Technical Services and Water Affairs from 1966 to 1968. He was elected State President in place of Dr Eben Dönges (who had been elected, but died before he could take office), and served as ceremonial head of state from 1968 to 1975. He was the first State President to complete a full term in office, and the only until Nelson Mandela in 1999, as well as having the longest presidency to date (subsequently surpassed by Thabo Mbeki, on 14 June 2006, and Jacob Zuma, on 8 May 2016). He remains the longest single-term president.
Family
Fouché married Letta Rhoda ('Lettie') McDonald. They had two children.
Depiction on coins
He is depicted on the following coins of the South African rand;
1976 1/2 Cent to 50 Cents.
References
- ^ Jacobus Johannes Fouché. archontology.org
- ^ C.J. Nöthling, E.M. Meyers (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912–1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 92.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Naudé | State President of South Africa 1968–1975 | Succeeded by Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs |
| Preceded by Frans Erasmus | Minister of Defence (South Africa) 1959–1966 | Succeeded by Pieter Willem Botha |