BOTA Louis (Botha Louis)

(1862-1919)
Born in Greytaune September 27, 1862 in the family of the immigrant. In 1869, Botha's family settled in the Orange Free State. Botha was in a German missionary school. At the age of 22 he moved to Zululand, where he participated in the creation of a new republican government. In 1886 became a clerk in Swaziland, and later worked in the Legislative Assembly of the Transvaal. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) commanded the Boer army in Ledismita. By defeating British troops in Colenso and Spion-Kop, delay the forces under the command of Roberts to Pretoria. In 1900 Botha was appointed commander of the armed forces of the Boers, and organized a successful guerrilla war. Participated in the negotiations that culminated in the signing of a peace treaty in Ferinihingskogo May 1902.
After the war, became chairman of the Party 'People'. In February 1907 Botha was elected Prime Minister of the Transvaal, after Britain granted the colony self-government. Willingness to compromise provided Bothe broad support among the Boers and the British. He was one of the leaders who proposed the union of four Boer colonies in one state, South Africa, and led a delegation of the Transvaal to the Union convention, 1908-1909. In 1910, Botha became the first Prime Minister of Union of South Africa and remained in office until the end of life.

Backed by the South African Party, consisting mainly of Dutch, Botha successfully coped with the problems caused by immigration from India and the uprising of white miners in Vitvatesrande in July 1913. During the First World War, quelled the revolt 12 thousand. Boers under the command of General Christian de Veta, who was against the entry of South Africa in the war. In 1915 he participated in the conquest of Germany in South-West Africa (later Namibia). In 1919, together with General Smuts represented the Union of South Africa at the Versailles Peace Conference. Botha died in Pretoria (Transvaal) August 27, 1919.