Doctoral Degrees (History)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (History) by Author "Ligthelm, Johan Hendrik"
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Item Open Access Genl. J. C. G. Kemp 1914-1946: rebel of politieke leier?(University of the Free State, 2002) Ligthelm, Johan Hendrik; Barnard, S. L.𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 At the start of the First World War In 1914, Jan Christoffel Greyling Kemp was a courageous and talented Anglo-Boer War hero, 42 years old and a major in the newly started Union Defence Force. His military colleagues were many of his ex-compatriots from 1899-1902, such as Lt.col Manie Maritz and others. Twelve years prior, at the signing of the Peace Agreement at Vereeniging, Kemp stayed a "die-hard" and for him the republican ideal never faded. As a result, when the war started there was a great deal of tension, discontent and feelings of resentment, more so because of Gen. Louis Botha and the Government's decision that South-Africa should fight on the side of Great Britain in the war against Germany. Fuelling these feelings further was the Government's plans to annex the German-Southwest-Afrlca. Many republican idealists felt that it was the ideal opportunlty, with Britain so busy with the war effort in Europe, to further the cause of getting back South-Afrlca's independence. Kemp, following the advice of Gen. C.F. Beyers, in protest against the Government's war polley, relinquished his officers rank on the 13th September 1914. Following this, he also made a pact with Gen. Koos de la Rey. should the government decide in favour of the German-Southwest·Afrlca annexation, to launch a military coup from Kemp's camp at Pothchefstroom. So getting rid of Botha in government and calling for a republic at the same time. However, this peaceful protest ended in nothing and coupled to the decision of Maritz to rebel and the subsequent start of marshal law, Kemp and others decided to do something more active. Beyers sent Kemp to Maritz, who was the then commanding officer at Upington. On the 2nd of November 1914 Kemp and a very meagre rationed 610 men left Vleeschkraal. This became an epic trek through the Kalahari, not just because of insufficient food and water, but also because of being hounded by Government's forces. Only pure Afrikaner determination and pure Afrikaner steel saw them completing this journey on the 26th of November 1914, when Kemp and his commando reached Maritz. Together they had some military successes at Nous and Lutzputs, but failed at an attack on Upington. At his stage, suffering from dreadful fever together with the end of the Rebellion in South-Africa Kemp decided to surrender to the Government Forces on the 2nd of February 1915. For his part in the Rebellion Kemp was sentenced on the 23rd of July 1915, to a fine of £1000 and 7 years prison sentence, the most severe punishment of all the rebel leaders. However, on the 22nd of November 1915 Kemp was released from prison on the condition that he may not participate in any politics. But already as early as 1917 he attended political meetings with Tielman Roos in the Western Transvaal. Here, with hls already well known zest and enthusiasm he worked hard for the National Party of Gen. J.B.M. Hertzog and in doing so got himself elected in 1920 as a Member of Parliament for Wolmaransstad constituency. The Parliament seat he kept until his death In 1946. With the start of the new Hertzog cabinet, after winning the general-election In 1924, Kemp got the portfolio as Minister of Agriculture, which was designated to him again In 1929 and 1933. In the 10 years or so that he had this portfolio he made a name for himself, not only the boss in words but also in deeds. He took over an exceedingly difficult Department of Agriculture and by introducing new laws and using the Government aid he tried all within his power to bring all the different aspects of Agriculture to it's highest level. With his usual enthusiasm, energy and zest, which few of his colleagues could match, he soon had the backing of the entire agricultural community, although some people questioned his autocratic behaviour. He supported the coalition agreement In 1933 between Hertzog and Smuts, but sadly in 1935, due to ill health, asked Hertzog to relieve him of his duties as Minister of Agriculture. He got the portfolio as Minister of Land Affairs, which he kept until 1939. Again rising to the occasion with his usual enthusiasm and energy he tried very hard to uplift the conditions of poverty amongst the Afrikaners and building up of settlements. Within the confinement of the now United Party, where the majority of politicians did not further the Afrikaner cause, he did his utmost to be the peace maker. He took this role so seriously, even speaking up for Smuts where previously he never had anything good to say about him and soon the staunchest of Afrikaners believed him to be a traitor. In 1938 It was the long awaited Jubilee year and the organising of the symbolic "Ossewa- trek", culminating in the festivities at the Voortrekkermonument. During the festivities in Pretoria Kemp was then the Acting Minister of Defence. During this time he took an active role in getting Roberts Heights renamed to Voortrekkerhoogte, something that certain groups did not appreciate. On the 4th of September 1939 Jan Kemp once again stood next to Hertzog and voted on the proposal to keep South-Africa neutral in the Second World War. Smuts however won with a majority of 13 votes against the proposal and in doing so also succeeded in overthrowing of the Hertzog government. Kemp now found himself once again an ordinary member of Parliament. In 1940 with the Introduction of the new United National Party, adv. J.G. Strijdom and Kemp became co-leaders of Transvaal. Getting on in years however did not stop Kemp from being an active member of parliament. During the following years he continued to plead for a stand of neutrality and the ideal of an independent Republic of South Africa never faded. Although he kept on warning against the use of force to achieve this goal. In 1946 his health deteriorated and he tried bravely to keep the flame alive. Urging his people to greater sacrifices for the ideals of a Republic, the ideal he and his eentemporaries had given so much for since 1914. Sadly on the 31st of December 1946 he passed away in Plet Retief. Kemp as a person had what they would call a great personality. During his polltlcal career he had few that surpassed his energy or enthusiasm for his ideals. In his political career he made just as many friends as foes and in the South African history there were few people who damned the consequences, as he did. He was a great political leader with foresight and empathy, but also just an ordinary man, loved by one and all. His objective struggle went hand in hand with his humanity. He was convincing and boisterous, but also amiable. ___________________________________________________________________