Balthazar Johannes Vorster

Balthazar Johannes Vorster , 1915-83, South African political leader. A lawyer, John Vorster became involved in the Afrikaner nationalist movement and helped found a militant anti-British organization. Interned for opposition to the allies in World War II (1942-44), he entered politics after the war and was elected (1953) to the South African Parliament as a Nationalist party member. He became a leader of the party's right wing. In 1958, Vorster was made deputy minister in Hendrik Verwoerd 's cabinet. Responsible for education, he rigidly enforced the apartheid Bantu Education Act. Later, as minister of justice (1961-66), Vorster suppressed opponents of apartheid . After the assassination of Verwoerd (Sept., 1966), he became prime minister. Vorster attempted a somewhat more conciliatory foreign policy, pressing Rhodesia's Ian Smith to negotiate with Mozambique and seeking a solution to international demands for South West Africa's independence. He invaded Angola to protect South West Africa (now Namibia ) and internally he harshly suppressed the Soweto uprisings in 1976. Vorster also granted "independence" to Transkei as a first step in apartheid's "separate development." After resigning for health reasons in 1978 to become State President, he was forced to resign the latter post when implicated (1979) in a scandal.

Vorster, Balthazar Johannes (1915–83) South African statesman, prime minister (1966–78). Imprisoned during World War 2 as a Nazi sympathizer, he was a staunch advocate of apartheid under Hendrik Verwoerd and succeeded him as prime minister and Nationalist Party leader. Vorster established Transkei as a ‘bantustan’ and suppressed the Soweto rising (1976). He invaded Angola to try and prevent Namibian independence. In 1978, Vorster became president but corruption charges forced his resignation in 1979. He was succeeded by P. W. Botha.

Vorster, John (born Balthazar Johannes Vorster) (1915–83) South African Nationalist politician, Prime Minister (1966–78). An admirer of the Nazi regime and enthusiastic enforcer of apartheid, Vorster won the support of the Dutch Reformed Church and was chosen as Hendrik VERWOERD's successor in 1966. He was elected President in 1978 but resigned the following year when it was revealed that he had helped to conceal the theft of huge sums of government money and various abuses of power.