‘Old Reitz’

Reitz had a turbulent political career. He desired to be the president of Orange Free State, but he kept losing the elections against the popular president Johannes Brand.

Reitz had a turbulent political career. He desired to be the president of Orange Free State, but he kept losing the elections against the popular president Johannes Brand. Where Reitz stood for a strong Boers (Afrikaans) nationalism, Brand was more careful about the relations between the Boers and the English. After Brand’s death, Reitz easily won the elections. Indeed he fought for greater Afrikanerdom, and he quickly got into a fight with the English. His government was able to greatly stimulate the economy by making smart investments. Reitz also decided to work more closely with the other Boer State; the Transvaal (South African Republic) with Paul Kruger as president.

In 1896, Reitz moved to Transvaal and became state secretary; one of the most important functions. It proved to be a difficult job. In 1899, the Second Boer War against the British broke out. Additionally, there were many civil conflicts, and president Kruger could be very stubborn. Reitz did not have an easy job, but he still managed to achieve some successes. He modernized the agriculture and had some great ideas to prevent famines. A strong food supply is crucial, especially during such a heavy and destructive war. From 1900 onwards, the government had to move around, and eventually had to go into exile until the Treaty of Vereeniging ended the war in 1902. Reitz did not want to work together with the British, so he moved back to his family in the Netherlands. But he still decided to return after a short time.