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| south african people | |
| presidents of the south african republic | |
| burgers, thomas francois | |
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After studying Theology at the University Of Utrecht in The Netherlands , Burgers became the Parson of Hanover, South Africa in 1859. A charmingly eloquent, but fiercely individualistic man, he had been influenced by Professor C. W. Opzoomer in The Netherlands and embraced his Rationalist , Liberal ideas. In South Africa Rev. Burgers became involved in a stormy controversy with the Dutch Reformed Synod over his alleged liberalism and disbelief in the literal truth of the Bible . He was critical of traditional culture and laid great emphasis on pure knowledge. In 1862 , his unorthodox doctrine brought on him an accusation of Heresy , and in 1864 he was found guilty by the Synod and suspended. The Supreme Court overturned the decision, and in 1865 , he was readmitted to the ministry. The Burgher s of the South African Republic urged Burgers to stand for the presidency, and he was elected by the considerable majority of 2,964 to 388 in 1871. The South African Republic's first coins—the famous Burgerspond —was introduced in 1874 . These were struck at Heaton's Mint in Birmingham , England when he was there on a visit. Some people in the South African Republic objected to the issue of the Burgerspond, because the portrayal of the President on coins likened him to a dictator. On of Burgers' plans was to build a railway linking the Transvaal to the sea and in 1875 he traveled to Europe in to raise funds but this was thwart by the Pedi chief Sekhukhune whose lands lay in the path of the proposed railway. By 1877 Burgers was very unpopular and his government was insolvent. Britain, keen on expanding their empire, stepped in and annexed the Transvaal. Burgers retired from political life and died in 1881. SEE ALSO |
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