| Nicolaas Havenga | |
|---|---|
| Finance minister of South Africa | |
| In office 1929–1934 |
|
| Prime Minister | J. B. M. Hertzog |
| Preceded by | Henry Burton |
| Succeeded by | Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr |
| Finance minister of South Africa | |
| In office 1948–1954 |
|
| Prime Minister | Daniel François Malan |
| Preceded by | Claud Sturrock |
| Succeeded by | Eric Louw |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1882 |
| Died | 1957 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | National Party (until 1934, 1951-) United Party (1934-1941) Afrikaner Party (1941-1951) |
Nicolaas Christiaan Havenga (born 1882 in Fauresmith, Oranje Free State, died 1957 in Cape Town, South Africa) was a South African politician who served as Finance Minister in the governments of J. B. M. Hertzog and Daniel François Malan.
Havenga was a leading member of Hertzog's government and indeed with Oswald Pirow he formed the basis of Hertzog's 'inner cabinet' which controlled decision making.[1] As Finance Minister he was responsible for the decision to take South Africa off gold, one that led to a significant economic upturn.[2]
A loyal supporter of Hertzog, he defected from the United Party government following its formation and later led the pro-Hertzog Afrikaner Party.[3] Before long however he was back working with Malan in an Afrikaner Party-Herenigde Nasionale Party coalition, which succeeded in ousting Smuts in 1948. Havenga was appointed Minister of Finance yet again, serving under Malan as Prime Minister. Following the latter's retirement in 1954 he indicated that Havenga was his preferred choice of successor.[4] Despite this endorsement Havenga lost out to Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom and spent his final years in retirement, although he did emerge to criticize Strijdom's reforms in 1955.[5]
| Preceded by Henry Burton |
Finance ministers of South Africa 1924–1939 |
Succeeded by Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr |
| Preceded by Claud Sturrock |
Finance ministers of South Africa 1948–1954 |
Succeeded by Eric Louw |
|
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