Dr. Nicholaas Diederichs (Nico), former Finance Minister, was inaugurated as South Africa's third state president, in succession of President Jim Fouche. Diederichs was elected unanimously by a joint session of the House of Assembly and the Senate under the Chairmanship of Chief Justice F.L.H. Rumpff. His inaugural ceremony, resembling a religious service, was conducted by Dr. J.S. Gericke and the Rev A.H. Jeffree-James in the two official languages. After the ceremony the new state president led the procession to the Grand Parade where he delivered his inaugural address. His term of office was of short duration as he died in August 1978.
