Alwyn Schlebusch, South African academic and politician, Vice State President of South Africa (b. 1917)

Alwyn Louis Schlebusch (16 September 1917 – 7 January 2008) was a highly significant figure in South African politics, particularly remembered for his unique tenure as the sole holder of the title Vice State President of South Africa. His life spanned a period of profound transformation in the nation's history, from the era of institutionalized segregation under apartheid to the nascent stages of democratic transition.

Early Life and Political Ascent

Born in the small, picturesque town of Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Alwyn Louis Schlebusch was the son of Charel Johannes Schlebusch and Elizabeth Cornelia Myburgh. As an Afrikaner, a descendant of Dutch, French Huguenot, and German settlers in Southern Africa, his surname itself, of German origin, underscored a deep connection to this distinct cultural and linguistic group that played a dominant role in South African politics for much of the 20th century. He embarked on a political career that saw him rise through the ranks of the National Party, the ruling political entity during the apartheid era, holding various crucial portfolios. Prior to assuming the Vice State Presidency, he notably served as Minister of Justice and of the Interior, roles that placed him at the heart of state administration and legal frameworks during a highly contentious period.

The Unique Role of Vice State President (1981-1984)

Alwyn Louis Schlebusch's most distinctive contribution to South African political history lies in his service as the Vice State President from 1 January 1981 to 14 September 1984. This position was a direct outcome of the constitutional reforms leading to the 1983 Tricameral Constitution, which he himself was instrumental in shaping, having chaired the crucial Schlebusch Commission. The 1983 Constitution represented a controversial attempt by the National Party government to address growing internal and international pressure for reform by creating a parliament with three racially segregated chambers for Whites, Coloureds (people of mixed race), and Indians, while controversially continuing to exclude the majority Black African population from national political representation. The Vice State President role, created under this new dispensation, was largely ceremonial, serving as second-in-command to the powerful executive State President (then P.W. Botha) but crucially without powers of succession. Schlebusch's appointment to this singular position underscored his political seniority and his alignment with the constitutional changes being implemented at the time. His tenure as Vice State President was short-lived, as the position was a specific construct of the 1983 constitutional model. With the advent of a fully democratic, non-racial South Africa and the implementation of the Interim Constitution in 1994, this unique office was abolished, ensuring that Schlebusch remained the only individual to ever hold the title of Vice State President.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alwyn Louis Schlebusch

Who was Alwyn Louis Schlebusch?

Alwyn Louis Schlebusch was a prominent South African politician, notably the only individual to ever hold the title of Vice State President of South Africa, serving from 1981 to 1984.

What was the significance of the Vice State President role in South Africa?

The Vice State President was a unique position created under the 1983 Tricameral Constitution. While largely ceremonial, it served as second-in-command to the State President, signifying a transitional phase in South African constitutional development before the complete dismantling of apartheid.

Why was Alwyn Louis Schlebusch the only person to hold this title?

The role of Vice State President was specifically a product of the 1983 Tricameral Constitution. It was abolished with the transition to a democratic, non-racial South Africa and the implementation of the Interim Constitution in 1994, making Schlebusch's tenure a unique historical instance.

What was Alwyn Louis Schlebusch's political party affiliation?

Alwyn Louis Schlebusch was a long-standing and influential member of the National Party, which governed South Africa during the apartheid era.