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Louis Botha: A Man Apart
In A Man Apart Richard Steyn once again brings to life a South African icon. Louis Botha was the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, a union he did much to create in the decade after the devastation of the Anglo-Boer War. During the war Botha was a brilliant young Boer general who through his battlefield strategy won significant victories over the British in the early stages of the war. When the weight of British arms overwhelmed the Boers, Botha along with Smuts did much to encourage peace between English and Afrikaner and led the country to Union in 1910 and dominion status.
Botha was a big-hearted and generous man who showed magnanimity in his dealings with all, including former enemies. He led the South African troops to victory and the capture of German South West Africa – prior to this he had to put down a revolt of pro-German Afrikaners. At the Peace of Versailles, representing South Africa, he pleaded unsuccessfully for magnanimity towards the Germans. Botha was a globally respected figure – he and Smuts effectively operated as a double act in South Africa and on the international stage before Botha's untimely death in August 1919 at only 57. In A Man Apart this tragically short life is illuminated in full.
Botha was a big-hearted and generous man who showed magnanimity in his dealings with all, including former enemies. He led the South African troops to victory and the capture of German South West Africa – prior to this he had to put down a revolt of pro-German Afrikaners. At the Peace of Versailles, representing South Africa, he pleaded unsuccessfully for magnanimity towards the Germans. Botha was a globally respected figure – he and Smuts effectively operated as a double act in South Africa and on the international stage before Botha's untimely death in August 1919 at only 57. In A Man Apart this tragically short life is illuminated in full.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2018
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68 people want to read
About the author
Richard Steyn
13 books18 followersA graduate of Stellenbosch University, Richard Steyn practised as a lawyer before switching to journalism. He edited the Natal Witness in Pietermaritzburg from 1975-90, was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in 1985/86, and editor in chief of The Star from 1990-95.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 4, 2021
In reading Richard Steyn’s, ‘Louis Botha - A Man Apart’, we are reminded of the significant impact that one person can have on the lives of many others. There have been other books on Louis Botha, notably, Franz Engelenburg’s General Louis Botha published in 1929 and Johannes Meintjes’s General Louis Botha, published in 1970, however Steyn, an obvious admirer, almost brings Louis Botha back to life.
The book is set against a background of immigration, new settlers, contestation for land and mineral rights and racism. Steyn describes the ferocity of the Anglo-Boer war and the significant role which Botha played in it. Indeed, he rose to the position of overall commander of the Afrikaner forces. However, it was in his role as Prime Minister that he faced his biggest challenges. It was in that role that he was, both literally and figuratively, a man apart. He saw the futility of continuing the war- which is what both President Kruger and President Steyn had wanted. He realized that a guerrilla war might be effective in the short-term, but that the end result - a British victory, was inevitable. So ably supported by Jan Smuts, he tried to negotiate the best peace he could for the Afrikaners. His attempts at negotiations and diplomacy were not welcomed by many leading members of the Afrikaner community. They presented his efforts at peace and cooperation with the British as disingenuous. And some, such as Barry Hertzog (who does not emerge with shining colours), stopped just short of calling him a traitor.
After the war, other events, notably the accidental death of the courageous general, Koos De la Rey added significant emotional pressure and stress to an already febrile environment. This situation was augmented by the suppression of the Boer Afrikaner rebellion in 1914 and was further intensified by his decision in the next year to lead a force on behalf of Britain against German forces in South West Africa (modern day Namibia). For a man who had suffered much most of his life and sacrificed a lot for his own people, their criticism of him rankled, and most probably contributed to his relatively early death.
Black people suffered during the Anglo Boer war. This deserved more than was presented- particularly given that Botha spoke isiZulu. The brutal expression of racism by some Afrikaners contributed to the alienation of the black population. This provided the British, (who were probably no less racist, but did not express this in the same manner) with advantage. Blacks did not have suffrage at that time - indeed they would not get it until 1994. This might explain why, apart from a few references to Dingane and nascent antecedents of the ANC, the book mentions very little about black people during Botha’s political years.
Furthermore, the implications of the initial cost estimate for the war - £10 million pounds and that it eventually cost the British £220 million could have been expanded on. This would have helped in explaining the actual logic of prosecuting the war. For the Afrikaners it was a search for independence and autonomy. For the British, it was not just about empire or thwarting the German Kaiser’s Africa ambitions, it was also about money. In particular, it was about the diamonds in Kimberley and the gold in the Witwatersrand.
This book reminds us that, for the most part, soldiers who have participated in and led wars are aware of the devastation it wreaks. They do not seek war or trivialize it. Politicians are often quite different. It was the fact that Botha had led an army and then ably negotiated a wise political settlement that protected a lot of the rights of the vanquished which marks him out as special. Louis Botha was able to look round the corner. In doing so, he saved the lives of many of his people. He was a leader. He was a man apart.
This is a study in leadership. It is recommended reading for anyone who wants to understand the reasons for some quirks that still exist in South Africa.
On a lighter note, it also gives reason to the intensity with which Springbok - England rugby matches are often played!
Charles Okeahalam
Johannesburg April 2020
The book is set against a background of immigration, new settlers, contestation for land and mineral rights and racism. Steyn describes the ferocity of the Anglo-Boer war and the significant role which Botha played in it. Indeed, he rose to the position of overall commander of the Afrikaner forces. However, it was in his role as Prime Minister that he faced his biggest challenges. It was in that role that he was, both literally and figuratively, a man apart. He saw the futility of continuing the war- which is what both President Kruger and President Steyn had wanted. He realized that a guerrilla war might be effective in the short-term, but that the end result - a British victory, was inevitable. So ably supported by Jan Smuts, he tried to negotiate the best peace he could for the Afrikaners. His attempts at negotiations and diplomacy were not welcomed by many leading members of the Afrikaner community. They presented his efforts at peace and cooperation with the British as disingenuous. And some, such as Barry Hertzog (who does not emerge with shining colours), stopped just short of calling him a traitor.
After the war, other events, notably the accidental death of the courageous general, Koos De la Rey added significant emotional pressure and stress to an already febrile environment. This situation was augmented by the suppression of the Boer Afrikaner rebellion in 1914 and was further intensified by his decision in the next year to lead a force on behalf of Britain against German forces in South West Africa (modern day Namibia). For a man who had suffered much most of his life and sacrificed a lot for his own people, their criticism of him rankled, and most probably contributed to his relatively early death.
Black people suffered during the Anglo Boer war. This deserved more than was presented- particularly given that Botha spoke isiZulu. The brutal expression of racism by some Afrikaners contributed to the alienation of the black population. This provided the British, (who were probably no less racist, but did not express this in the same manner) with advantage. Blacks did not have suffrage at that time - indeed they would not get it until 1994. This might explain why, apart from a few references to Dingane and nascent antecedents of the ANC, the book mentions very little about black people during Botha’s political years.
Furthermore, the implications of the initial cost estimate for the war - £10 million pounds and that it eventually cost the British £220 million could have been expanded on. This would have helped in explaining the actual logic of prosecuting the war. For the Afrikaners it was a search for independence and autonomy. For the British, it was not just about empire or thwarting the German Kaiser’s Africa ambitions, it was also about money. In particular, it was about the diamonds in Kimberley and the gold in the Witwatersrand.
This book reminds us that, for the most part, soldiers who have participated in and led wars are aware of the devastation it wreaks. They do not seek war or trivialize it. Politicians are often quite different. It was the fact that Botha had led an army and then ably negotiated a wise political settlement that protected a lot of the rights of the vanquished which marks him out as special. Louis Botha was able to look round the corner. In doing so, he saved the lives of many of his people. He was a leader. He was a man apart.
This is a study in leadership. It is recommended reading for anyone who wants to understand the reasons for some quirks that still exist in South Africa.
On a lighter note, it also gives reason to the intensity with which Springbok - England rugby matches are often played!
Charles Okeahalam
Johannesburg April 2020
January 4, 2020
An interesting biography of an exceptional man. I like the approach Steyn has taken, and how he has been able to place Botha in the context of his life and times rather than simply finding him wanting by the values of our unforgiving age.
I loved his quote in the acknowledgements attributed to the Marxist historian Christopher Hill, namely that "History has to be rewritten every generation, because although the past doesn't change, the present does." Well the present certainly has changed in South Africa this generation but it doesn't make Botha and his contribution to unification of the country in the early 20th century any less important or relevant.
I loved his quote in the acknowledgements attributed to the Marxist historian Christopher Hill, namely that "History has to be rewritten every generation, because although the past doesn't change, the present does." Well the present certainly has changed in South Africa this generation but it doesn't make Botha and his contribution to unification of the country in the early 20th century any less important or relevant.
April 3, 2024
On second thoughts I've rated this book 5 stars.
While it is a biography on Louis Botha, it also gives the reader an excellent understanding of the racial and imperial dynamics at play in South Africa from the 1890s to +/- 1920.
Notwithstanding the fact that neither the English and Afrikaner powers (except to a limited extent in the Cape) did not want the non-whites to have the franchise, it highlights the tension between the enlightened Afrikaner who envisioned a united English and Afrikaans South Africa in the Commonwealth and hence on the world stage (Botha & Smuts) and conservatives who wanted nothing to do with the Commonwealth but wanted an (insular) Afrikaner Republic (Hertzog, Steyning etc). It explains how these divisions brought the country very close to civil war with the Afrikaner rebellion.
It goes into detail on how the English scorched earth policy and internment of Afrikaner woman and children in the Anglo Boer war created these tensions which surfaced violently, when South Africa was called upon to invade German South West Africa in World War 1 on the side if the Imperial forces only 12 years after the Boer war ended.
Throughout one realises that both Botha and Smuts were incredible visionaries in the context of South Africa's history at that time
While it is a biography on Louis Botha, it also gives the reader an excellent understanding of the racial and imperial dynamics at play in South Africa from the 1890s to +/- 1920.
Notwithstanding the fact that neither the English and Afrikaner powers (except to a limited extent in the Cape) did not want the non-whites to have the franchise, it highlights the tension between the enlightened Afrikaner who envisioned a united English and Afrikaans South Africa in the Commonwealth and hence on the world stage (Botha & Smuts) and conservatives who wanted nothing to do with the Commonwealth but wanted an (insular) Afrikaner Republic (Hertzog, Steyning etc). It explains how these divisions brought the country very close to civil war with the Afrikaner rebellion.
It goes into detail on how the English scorched earth policy and internment of Afrikaner woman and children in the Anglo Boer war created these tensions which surfaced violently, when South Africa was called upon to invade German South West Africa in World War 1 on the side if the Imperial forces only 12 years after the Boer war ended.
Throughout one realises that both Botha and Smuts were incredible visionaries in the context of South Africa's history at that time
April 6, 2021
Botha, in my experience, has been over-shadowed by other giants such as Jan Smuts and Paul Kruger. Yet in this biography he comes across as the main player in the formation of South Africa and in particular, the Union of South Africa, during the years following the Boer War. A fascinating character and worth reading to get a perspective on the turbulent events that have lead to the South Africa we know today.
February 4, 2020
A well written history of someone I only know as a road!
December 31, 2024
My interest in Louis Botha was piqued by reading various accounts of the Anglo Boer War, in particular “Afrikaner Odyssey” by Martin Meredith. All I had read hitherto of Botha’s character and magnetism from so many different sources drew me in to wanting to know more about this “Farmer, Warrior and Statesman”
As per the opening quote by Richard Cohen,I agree that we have an obligation to place historical figures in the context of their times. As a South African with an Afrikaner father and an English mother I can in some small way appreciate the extreme complexities that the First Prime Minister of the Union must have faced.
“A Man Apart” gives a full account of Louis Botha and how he rose from a “under-educated farm life” to becoming the leader of the Transvaal army and the most loved Boer General to the Peacemaker, the Father of the Union and World respected Statesman.
It is indeed a rare occurrence in politics to encounter a man of honor like Louis Botha. So many of his rivals became admirers over the years and held him in the highest regard as one of the Great Men of the World. What I enjoyed most about this book was how it delved into the absolute unrelenting political, diplomatic and military tasks expected of this man.
How does one even comprehend having to fight an unrelenting and ultimately guerrilla war for independence against the British to then go on to foster peace with the aggressors? How does one find a way forward for both English and Afrikaans South Africans and then have to put down an Afrikaner rebellion for the British merely a few years later in the Great War? How does one advocate for a defeated Germany when Germany turned their backs on the defeated Boers?
My main takeaways from this book were the accounts of the Peace Conference of the Great War at Versailles. I was not fully aware of just how influential Louis Botha was in his role as Chairman of the Peace Commission. He put South Africa on the World map as a respected nation. His dialogue is moving and it was not lost on me that of all the delegates present only Botha and Smuts actually went to war. Botha’s advocacy for peace and coming full circle from Vereeniging to Versailles with his words to Lord Milner, a former rival, are extremely profound in my opinion.
My only disappointment was that the relationship with the Zulus was not expanded on further and that there was little mention of Louis Botha’s militant group of Farmers that fought for DinuZulu.
On a side note the insights into Louis Botha’s farming affairs and practices were also fascinating to me.
This was my favorite read of the year and I would encourage all South Africans to read this account.
As per the opening quote by Richard Cohen,I agree that we have an obligation to place historical figures in the context of their times. As a South African with an Afrikaner father and an English mother I can in some small way appreciate the extreme complexities that the First Prime Minister of the Union must have faced.
“A Man Apart” gives a full account of Louis Botha and how he rose from a “under-educated farm life” to becoming the leader of the Transvaal army and the most loved Boer General to the Peacemaker, the Father of the Union and World respected Statesman.
It is indeed a rare occurrence in politics to encounter a man of honor like Louis Botha. So many of his rivals became admirers over the years and held him in the highest regard as one of the Great Men of the World. What I enjoyed most about this book was how it delved into the absolute unrelenting political, diplomatic and military tasks expected of this man.
How does one even comprehend having to fight an unrelenting and ultimately guerrilla war for independence against the British to then go on to foster peace with the aggressors? How does one find a way forward for both English and Afrikaans South Africans and then have to put down an Afrikaner rebellion for the British merely a few years later in the Great War? How does one advocate for a defeated Germany when Germany turned their backs on the defeated Boers?
My main takeaways from this book were the accounts of the Peace Conference of the Great War at Versailles. I was not fully aware of just how influential Louis Botha was in his role as Chairman of the Peace Commission. He put South Africa on the World map as a respected nation. His dialogue is moving and it was not lost on me that of all the delegates present only Botha and Smuts actually went to war. Botha’s advocacy for peace and coming full circle from Vereeniging to Versailles with his words to Lord Milner, a former rival, are extremely profound in my opinion.
My only disappointment was that the relationship with the Zulus was not expanded on further and that there was little mention of Louis Botha’s militant group of Farmers that fought for DinuZulu.
On a side note the insights into Louis Botha’s farming affairs and practices were also fascinating to me.
This was my favorite read of the year and I would encourage all South Africans to read this account.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2024
A sympathetic portrait of a man who has been pushed to the periphery of SA history because he advocated reconciliation and unity at a time when others preached division with more success. A consistent theme in SA history.
Interesting confirmation in the assessment, after Versailles, of the US Secretary of State: ''He looked forward to the final judgement of men, and not to the temporary popularity which a policy might gain under the stress of existing conditions, or the passing emotions of an aroused public opinion. He possessed that foresight which sees the end at the beginning [...]'' P257
As an aside, I thought the treatment of the Rebellion is excellent, being concise and balanced.
Interesting confirmation in the assessment, after Versailles, of the US Secretary of State: ''He looked forward to the final judgement of men, and not to the temporary popularity which a policy might gain under the stress of existing conditions, or the passing emotions of an aroused public opinion. He possessed that foresight which sees the end at the beginning [...]'' P257
As an aside, I thought the treatment of the Rebellion is excellent, being concise and balanced.
January 17, 2023
Richard Steyn introduced me to the friendship between Churchill and Smuts. Now he has introduced me to the great Louis Botha. His style is lucid and engaging. His scholarship impeccable. Wonderful biography.
February 21, 2021
An exceptional man, up there with the greatest. And a very readable biography by Richard Steyn.
February 22, 2021
Easy to read, and helpful in setting the life of this man against the world in which he lived. Interesting insight into this South African prime minister.
January 2, 2020
Very readable history of late 19th/ early 20th century South Africa. Learnt about Louis Botha being a reconciliator. Feel ambivalent about the skirting of the passing of the Natives Land Act during Botha’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews