Nico Diederichs

Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs
State President of South Africa
In office
19 April 1975  21 August 1978
Succeeded by Marais Viljoen
Minister of Finance
In office
1967–1975
Personal details
Born (1903-11-17)17 November 1903
Ladybrand, South Africa
Died 21 August 1978(1978-08-21) (aged 74)
Cape Town, South Africa
Citizenship South African
Political party National Party
Spouse(s) Marga Potgieter (1907-1998)
Children 4
Alma mater University of Munich
University of Cologne
Leiden University
Religion Dutch Reformed

Nicolaas Johannes "Nico" Diederichs (17 November 1903, Ladybrand[1] – 21 August 1978) served as the third State President of South Africa from 1975 to 1978.[2]

An economist, Diederichs obtained a doctorate from the University of Leiden.[1] During the 1930s and 1940s he became a prominent figure in Afrikaner nationalist circles. He founded the Reddingsdaadbond organisation to promote the economic wellbeing of Afrikaners.

Diederichs was a National Party member of Parliament from 1953 to 1975. He served as Minister of Economic Affairs from 1958 to 1967, as Minister of Mines from 1961 to 1964, and as Minister of Finance from 1967 to 1975. In the latter capacity he became known as "Mr Gold." He served as the first chancellor or the Rand Afrikaans University and ceremonial State President from 1975 until his death, after a short illness, of a heart attack on 21 August 1978 in Cape Town.

Publications by Nicolaas Diederichs (selection)

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 "Biography of Diederichs, Nicolaas". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  2. "Presidency in South Africa". SouthAfricaWeb.co.za. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
Bibliography

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Johannes de Klerk (acting)
State President of South Africa
1975–1978
Succeeded by
Marais Viljoen
Preceded by
Theophilus Donges
Finance ministers of South Africa
1967–1975
Succeeded by
Owen Horwood
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