Lodewicus du Plessis

Lodewicus Johannes du Plessis was a South African academic, alternative Afrikaner political philosopher, and Calvinist.

Lodewicus du Plessis
Chairman of the Afrikaner Broederbond
In office
1930–1932
Preceded byPotgieter, J.W.
Succeeded byVan Rooy, J.C.
Personal details
Born
Lodewicus Johannes du Plessis

(1897-02-10)February 10, 1897
Burgersdorp, Cape Province, South Africa
DiedFebruary 19, 1968(1968-02-19) (aged 71)
Potchefstroom , Transvaal, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Spouse(s)Engela Susanna van der Merwe
Alma materUniversity of Pretoria
Known forSouth African Academic and Alternative Afrikaner Political Philosopher and Calvinist.

Roots

He was born on 10 February 1897 at Burgersdorp, Cape Province, South Africa.[1] He was the son of Jacobus Albertus du Plessis and Laurika Postma. He married Engela Susanna van der Merwe on 12 January 1926. He died on 19 February 1968 at Potchefstroom, Transvaal, South Africa.[2]

Education

Du Plessis matriculated in 1912 on Potchefstroom Gimnasium. He received his BA, BA Hons (Classical languages) and MA (Classical languages) at the University of Pretoria.[3] Later he also received a master's degree in Economics, as well as a LLB (law degree).[4]

Work career

In 1918 he started as a senior lecturer in Classical languages at The Theological Centre of the Reformed Church in Potchefstroom. After obtaining the economics and law qualifications, he was offered a professorship in economics, political science and ethics at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. In later years he focused on law. He was secretary of the commission who translated the Bible in Afrikaans and was Totius advisor.[5]

Calvinism

He was an alternative Calvinist, in the sense that he believed that only Calvinism is not the answer. He was open to a combination of Calvinism, Marxism and other possible beliefs.[6]

Politics

He was actively participating in Afrikaner politics, although he never stood for office. He was chairman of the Afrikaner Broederbond from 1930-1932.[7] He was not scared to differ from political leaders such as J.B.M. Hertzog, DF Malan and J. G. Strijdom. His biggest clash was with H.F. Verwoerd, which caused him to be expelled from the National Party. Then, he also left the Afrikaner Broederbond. He was not in favour of Verwoerd's racial policy and his definition of an Afrikaner.[8]

References

  1. "This day in history". SAHO. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. "Lodewicus Johannes du Plessis". Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  3. Potgieter, P. J. J. S. (6 March 1981). "L. J. du Plessis — 'n kort lewenskets" [L. J. du Plessis — A short life sketch]. Koers (in Afrikaans). 46 (1): 3–7. doi:10.4102/koers.v46i1.1080.
  4. "Wicus du Plessis". Lepsusuber. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  5. Gouws, HS (19 February 2016). "The law faculty of the NWU Potchefstroom campus celebrates its half centenary". Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad. 18 (5): 1255. doi:10.4314/pelj.v18i5.01.
  6. du Plessis, Lodewicus Johannes. Die maatskaplik-staatkundige ontwikkeling van die Kalvinisme in Suid-Afrika. OCLC 39390107.
  7. "History of the Afrikaner Broederbond". Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  8. "Lodewicus Johannes du Plessis". CKE. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.