J. B. M. Hertzog

Hertzog served as a Boer general in the Second Boer War, commanding forces in the Orange Free State. He participated in several battles and became a prominent Afrikaner military leader.

Hertzog broke away from the South African Party and founded the National Party, which championed Afrikaner nationalism and opposed British imperial influence. The party would later implement apartheid.

Hertzog became Prime Minister after his National Party won the general election in coalition with the Labour Party. His government implemented policies to protect white workers and promote Afrikaner interests, including the 'civilized labour' policy.

Hertzog merged his National Party with Jan Smuts' South African Party to form the United Party. The coalition aimed to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression and promote national unity, but it alienated hardline Afrikaner nationalists.

Hertzog's government passed the Representation of Natives Act, which removed Black voters from the common voters' roll in the Cape Province and allowed them to elect white representatives instead. This further entrenched racial segregation.

Hertzog advocated for South African neutrality in World War II, but his cabinet voted to enter the war on the Allied side. He resigned as Prime Minister and was succeeded by Jan Smuts, splitting the United Party.