This Day in History: October 5, 1844
Francis William Reitz was born on 5 October 1844 in Swelllendam in what is now the Western Cape. Reitz was a lawyerand politician. He became the first president of the Senate of the Union of South Africa. He was very popular and loved for his openness, to the point of winning a presidential election unopposed.
A talented poet and writer, Reitz made a notable contribution to Afrikaans Literature. He was honoured with an Honouree honours degree from the University of Stellenbosch. He died on 27 March 1934 and received a state funeral.