De Wet

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christiaan Rudolf De Wet was born in 1854 and, as with many of the Boer leaders, had only a basic education but ample common sense and a natural quality for leadership. At the outset of the war, in spite of being a member of the Volksraad, he was called up as a private in the Heilbron Commando and after Commandant Steenkamp became ill De Wet was elected to replace him. At the Battle of Ladysmith (Nicholson’s Nek), De Wet was responsible for over 200 British casualties and 900 prisoners.

As a result of his success here President Steyn of the Free State arranged to have him promoted to General and transferred to the Cape under the leadership of Piet Cronje. After Cronje’s surrender he became leader of the Free State Commando and from March 1900 until the end of the war De Wet and his commandos became a marauding band of guerrillas causing problems for the British wherever they went. After reluctantly signing the treaty of Vereeniging he was sent to Europe with Botha and De La Rey to raise funds. Returning he became a politician with the opposition Orangje-Unie party taking part in the 1914 rebellion. He was subsequently captured, tried and found guilty of treason and spent some time in prison. He died on 3rd February 1922 and was buried at the foot of the Womens Monument in Bloemfontein.