Sir John Robinson forms Natal’s first ministry as Prime Minister

On 10 October 1893, Natal's first ministry was formed, with Sir John Robinson as Prime Minister, Minister of Education, and Colonial Secretary. Robinson, who is regarded as a loyal Natalian, first came to South Africa as a child in 1850. He later became a journalist and political leader, and was joint founder and the first editor of The Natal Mercury, together with his father, George Robinson. He became the owner of the publication in 1855. After devoting his time to the newspaper, Robinson went on to play an important role in Natal politics for over three decades. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1863, and attended the South African federation conference in 1876. He also attended the Colonial Conference of 1887 and the South Africans customs conference in 1888. In 1889 he was knighted for his efforts. Due to ill health he resigned from office in 1897, and wrote an autobiography called A life time in South Africa in 1900. He died on 5 November 1903 in Durban, the capital city of present day KwaZulu-Natal.