Genl. J. C. G. Kemp 1914-1946: rebel of politieke leier?
| dc.contributor.advisor | Barnard, S. L. | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.author | Ligthelm, Johan Hendrik | en_ZA |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2018-07-20T08:19:04Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2018-07-20T08:19:04Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2002 | en_ZA |
| dc.description | Thesis (Ph.D. (History))--University of the Free State, 2002 | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | 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. ___________________________________________________________________ | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | 𝑨𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒔 Toe die Eerste Wêreldoorlog in 1914 uitbreek was Jan Christoffel Greyling Kemp 'n onverskrokke en talentvolle Boerekrygsheld uit die Anglo-Boereoorlog, 42 jaar oud en 'n majoor in die pasgestigte unle-verdedigingsmag. Onder sy militêre kollegas was heelwat gewese wapenbroers uit die jare 1899·1902 soos luit-kol. Manie Maritz en andere. In die vredestent by Vereeniging, twaalf jaar tevore, het Kemp enduit bittereinder gebly en daarna het die republikeinse ideaal nooit vervaag nie. Met die uitbreek van die oorlog was die toestand gespanne en gevoelens het opgevlam. Groot ontevredenheid het geheers omdat genl. Louis Botha se regering dit as 'n kwessie van eer en plig beskou het om as Brittanje se bondgenoot aan die oorlog teen Duitsland deel te neem. Nog groter vlam die verontwaardiging op oor die Regering se planne om Duits-Suidwes-Afrika aan te val. Vir meer as een eertydse republikein was die felt dat Brittanje se volte aandag by 'n Wêreldoorlog betrek was, 'n gunstige geleentheid om 'n paging aan te wend om die republikeinse vryheid te herstel. Kemp volg die voorbeeld van genl. C.F. Beyers en lê sy offisiersrang op 13 September 1914 neer as protes teen die Botha-regering se oorlogsbeleid. Hy reël egter met genl. Koos de le Rey dat indien die Suid-Afrikaanse parlement die Duits-Suidwes-Afrika-ekspedisie goedkeur, 'n staatsgreep by Kemp se militêre kamp op Potchefstroom van stapel gestuur sou word om die Bothabewind omver te werp en 'n republiek uit te roep.Die vreedsame protesbeweging loop egter op niks uit nie. Dit, en die besluit van Maritz om te rebelleer, tesame met die afkondiging van krygswette, laat Kemp en andere besluit om aktief op te tree. Beyers besluit om Kemp na Maritz te stuur, wat bevelvoerder by Upington was. Op 2 November 1914 verlaat Kemp Vleeschkraal met 'n swak toegeruste mag van 610 man. Dit word 'n merkwaardige tog, aangesien sy kommando nie alleen die ontberings van 'n gebrek aan voedsel en water en die moeilikhede van 'n tog deur die Kalahari verduur nie, maar ook die lastige aanvalle van regeringsmagte wat hulle agtervolg het. Die tog op 26 November 1914 toe Kemp en sy kommando by Maritz uitkom. Saam met Maritz behaal Kemp militêre welslae by Nous en Lutzputs, maar 'n aanval op Upington misluk. Op hierdie stadium ly Kemp aan swartwaterkoors en dit, tesame met die ineenstorting van die Rebellie in Suld·Afrlka, laat hom besluit om op 2 Februarie 1915 aan die regeringemagte oor te gee. Vir sy aandeel aan die Rebellie word Kemp verhoor en op 23 Julie 1915 gevonnis tot 'n boete van £1000 en sewe jaar tronkstraf, die swaarste straf wat enige rebelleleier opgelê is. Op 22 November 1915 word Kemp uit die tronk vrygelaat. Alhoewel die voorwaarde van sy vrystelling was dat hy nie aan die politiek mag deelneem nie, hou hy reeds in 1911 'n reeks vergaderings saam met Tielman Roos in die Wes-Transvaal. Met sy kenmerkende vuur en geesdrif beywer hy hom vir die Nasionale Party van genl. J.B.M. Hertzog en word hy in 1920 verkies tot Volksraadslid vir Wolmaransstad, 'n kiesafdeling wat hy tot sy dood in 1946 verteenwoordig het. Met die samestelling van die eerste Hertzogkabinet, na die oorwinning van die Pakt in 1924, word Kemp Minister van Landbou. Dieselfde portefeulje word weer in 1929 en 1933 aan hom toevertrou. As Minister van Landbou vir sowat 10 jaar het hy naam gemaak. In hierdie uiters moeilike departement was hy nie net baas in naam nie, maar ook in daad. Hy het die hele Departement van Landbou gereorganiseer en nuwe afdelings in die lewe geroep, om sodoende die departement in diens van die landbou te stel. Deur middel van wetgewing en deur regeringsbesfulte het hy alles in sy vermoë gedoen om die landbou en veeteelt op die hoogste peil te bring. Hy het 'n dryfkrag en energie besit wat deur min van sy kollegas geêwenaar kon word en hoewel die boeregemeenskap soms oor sy outokratiese op trede gekla het, was die algemene mening onder die boere dat hy 'n uitstekende minister was. In 1933 steun hy Hertzog toe daar tot 'n koalisie met Smuts ooreengekom word. Gedurende die jaar was hy as gevolg van gesondheidsredes, verplig om Hertzog te versoek om hom vanaf die portefeulje van landbou oor te plaas na 'n ander minder veeleisende pos. Gevolglik is hy as Minister van Lande aangestel, 'n pos wat hy tot 1939 behou het. Hy het hom in die tyd in die besonder beywer om die nedersettings op te bou en die Armblankevraagstuk te verlig. Binne die geledere van die Verenigde Party het hy himself in 'n kabinet bevind van politici wat nie die Afrikanersaak gedien het nie en tree Kemp in 'n versoenende gees op. Hy vergoeilik selfs vir Smuts, vir wie hy vantevore nie 'n goeie woord gehad het nie en spreek homself gematigd uit oor die verwesenliking van 'n republiek. Dit het tot gevolg dat hy by 'n greet deel van die Afrikaanssprekendes onder verdenking gekom het en by tye as 'n verraaier gebrandmerk was. Met die aanbreek van die heuglike Eeufeesjaar in 1938 word 'n simboliese Ossewatrek georganiseer, waarvan die hoogtepunt by die Voortrekkermonument eindig. Tydens die feesvieringe in Pretoria was Kemp waarnemende Minister van Verdediging. In die hoedanigheid neem hy 'n leidende rol in die herdoping van Roberts Heights tot Voortrekkerhoogte - iets wat greet ontsteltenis onder sekere groepe veroorsaak het. Op 4 September 1939 het Jan Kemp weer aan Hertzog se sy gestaan en gestem dat Suid-Afrika neutraal sou bly in die Tweede Wêreldoorlog. Smuts het met 'n meerderheld van 13 stemme teen die voorstel daarin geslaag om aan bewind te kom. Kemp was weer 'n gewone Volksraadslid. In 1940 met die stigting van die Herenigde Nasionale Party, word hy en adv. J.G. Strijdom gesamentlike leiers in die Transvaal. Ten spyte van sy klimmende jare het hy aktiewe parlementariër gebly. Gedurende die oorlogsjare bepleit hy steeds 'n beleid van neutraliteit en 'n republikeinse regeringsvorm vir Suid-Afrika, hoewel hy dikwels waarsku teen 'n beleid van geweld om hierdie Ideaal te verwesenlik. In 1946 het sy gesondheid baie verswak, maar tot die einde het hy sy volk aangespoor tot groter opoffering terwille van die ideaal waarvoor hy en sy geesgenote sedert 1914 opgeoffer het. Op 31 Desember 1946 is hy op Plet Retief oorlede. Kemp het as mens daardie ondefinieerbare gawe wat as persoonlikheid beskrywe word, In 'n hoë mate besit. In sy politieke loopbaan het hy net so maklik vyande as vriende gemaak, want in Suld-Alrlka se politieke geskiedenis was daar selde iemand soos hy wat hom minder aan die gevolg van sy optrede gesteur het. Hy was 'n groot politikus. Sy doelgerigte stryd het met menslikheid gepaar. Hy was 'n sterk oortuigende en onstuimige, maar beminlike mens. ___________________________________________________________________ | af_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11660/8843 | |
| dc.language.iso | af | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | University of the Free State | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | Abstract in other languages 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘴 | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | University of the Free State | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Politicians -- South Africa -- Biography | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Politicians | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | South Africa -- Politics and government | en_ZA |
| dc.title | Genl. J. C. G. Kemp 1914-1946: rebel of politieke leier? | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |