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Second Jan Smuts government

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Second Smuts ministry

4th Cabinet of the Union of South Africa
Date formed5 September 1939
Date dissolved1948
People and organisations
Head of stateGeorge VI
Head of governmentJan Smuts
Member partyUnited Party
Dominion Party
Labour Party
Opposition partyPurified National Party (1939–1940)
Herenigde Nasionale Party (1940–1948)
Opposition leaderDaniel François Malan (1939–1940)
J. B. M. Hertzog (1940)
Daniel François Malan (1940–1948)
History
Election1943
PredecessorJ. B. M. Hertzog government
SuccessorDaniel François Malan government

Jan Smuts became South African Prime Minister for the second time in 1939, following a split in the United Party. He appointed members of the United Party, Dominion Party and Labour Party to positions in his Cabinet.

Ministers

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First Smuts Cabinet

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The 1938 general election was won by the United Party, giving J. B. M. Hertzog a fourth consecutive term. In September 1939, the United Party was divided between supporters of Hertzog and those of his Justice Minister Jan Smuts. The split resulted from differences between supporters of neutrality in World War II and those who wanted South Africa to follow the United Kingdom and declare war against Nazi Germany. Finally, Hertzog was outvoted within the United Party and Parliament. He resigned his post as Prime Minister, allowing Jan Smuts to form a new government in coalition with the Dominion Party and Labour Party.

Party key United Party
Dominion Party
Labour Party
Office Name Dates
Prime Minister Jan Smuts 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Defence
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry William Richard Collins 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Commerce and Industry Richard Stuttaford 5 September 1939 – 1941
Minister of Commerce and Industry Sidney Frank Waterson 1941 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Education Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Finance
Minister of the Interior Harry Lawrence 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Public Health
Minister of Justice Colin Fraser Steyn 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Labour Walter Bayley Madeley 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Social Affairs
Minister of Lands Andrew Meintjes Conroy 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Mines Charles Stallard 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Native Affairs Deneys Reitz 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Posts and Telegraphs Charles Francis Clarkson 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister of Railways and Harbours Frederick Claud Sturrock 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943
Minister without portfolio Pieter Voltelyn Graham van der Byl 5 September 1939 – 7 July 1943

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Second Smuts Cabinet

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "South Africa". www.geocities.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2022.