Hofmeyr, Jan

Jan Hofmeyr, in full Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, (born July 4, 1845, Cape Town, Cape Colony [now in South Africa]—died Oct. 16, 1909, London, Eng.), statesman and leader of the Afrikaner Bond, a political party supporting the agrarian interests of Dutch South Africans in the Cape Colony. Hofmeyr, the son of a viticulturist, was educated at the South African College, Cape Town, and rose to prominence as a journalist. In 1878 he formed the Boeren Beschermings Vereeniging (“Farmers’ Protection Association”), whose aims were basically agricultural, and entered the Cape Colony Parliament as member for Stellenbosch. For the next 16 years, he served in Parliament as the recognized leader and spokesman for the Cape’s Dutch population.

Much of Hofmeyr’s political strength derived from his paramount position in the Afrikaner Bond, which he adroitly united with his Farmers’ Protection Association in 1883. Though only briefly a member of a ministry (1884), he wielded considerable influence as a representative of the colony on various occasions. Gradually recognizing the value of closer ties with the British, Hofmeyr played a significant role in the imperial conferences of 1887 and 1894. By the time Cecil Rhodes became prime minister (1890–95), Hofmeyr was his close friend and supported his expansionist schemes. The Jameson Raid (Dec. 29, 1895) against the Boers in the Transvaal, however, ended their collaboration. After strongly condemning the raid, Hofmeyr turned his energies to the prevention of war between the British and the Boers. He persuaded Pres. Paul Kruger of the Transvaal to make concessions, but the Cape governor, Lord Milner, refused to yield.

During the South African War (1899–1902), a sick and dispirited Hofmeyr retired to Europe. He returned after the conflict to effect a reconciliation between the British and the Boers. As South Africa moved toward union, he supported a federal rather than a unitary system and championed the use of the Dutch language. Because of his great influence with the Dutch population, who affectionately called him “Onze [Our] Jan,” Hofmeyr was asked to join the delegation that presented the final draft of the proposed union to the British government in London.