This Day in History: December 14, 1912
Additional Date: December 14, 1912
General Louis Botha, premier of the Union of South Africa since 31 May 1910, resigned from his post following an anti-British speech by General J.B.M. Hertzog, minister of justice, at De Wildt, near Pretoria. Hertzog had criticised Botha's policy, which he considered pro-British and had announced that in the event of a conflict of interests between Britain and South Africa, he would put South Africa's interests first. Upon request by the governor-general, Lord Gladstone, Botha reformed his government with Hertzog left out of the new cabinet. Hertzog subsequently formed the National Party (NP) as an opposition to the ruling South African Party (SAP).