Verhouding tussen SJP (Paul) Kruger en JF Celliers in die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, 1873-1895

Abstract

Johannes Francois Celliers was van 1873 tot 1887 redakteur van De Volksstem in Pretoria en Volksraadslid tot 1895 met sy afsterwe. Na sy vestiging in Transvaal het hy SJP (Paul) Kruger bykans vanuit die staanspoor teengestaan. Hy is oorspronklik vir die posisie van redakteur deur Staatspresident TF Burgers gewerf toe hy subredakteur van Het Volksblad in Kaapstad was. Hy was ʼn sterk ondersteuner van Burgers en het selfs in later jare, 1885 en 1888, met toegeneentheid na hom en sy presidentskap verwys. Hoewel hy van oordeel was dat nóg Kruger nóg PJ (Piet) Joubert geskik was vir die posisie van staatspresident, het hy voorkeur aan Kruger gegee. Sy eerste keuse was vir ʼn prominente persoon met tersiêre kwalifikasies. Hy het klaarblyklik van Kruger verwag om in ʼn vroeë stadium af te tree en die presidentskap aan ʼn beter toegeruste persoon af te staan. Celliers is in ʼn groot mate hierin deur dr EJP Jorissen ondersteun, wat vir ʼn tydperk staatsprokureur was.,. Celliers het Kruger nogtans weer as kandidaat vir die 1888-presidentsverkiesing teen Joubert ondersteun. Dit het selfs voorgekom of hy in hierdie tydperk meer goedgesind teenoor Kruger was – veral nadat Kruger met ʼn groot meerderheid herkies is. In ander opsigte het hy sy kritiek op Kruger voortgesit.

Johannes Francois Celliers was the editor of De Volksstem in Pretoria from 1873 to 1887 and member of the Volksraad until his death in1895. After he settled in the Transvaal he opposed SJP (Paul) Kruger on a regular basis. He was initially recruited for the position of editor by State President TF Burgers while he was subeditor of Het Volksblad in Cape Town. He was a strong supporter of Burgers and even as late as 1885 and 1888 he referred affectionately to him and his presidency. Although he did not regard either Kruger or PJ (Piet) Joubert as suitable for the position of state president, Kruger had his vote. His preference rather was for a person with tertiary qualifications. For most of his remaining term as editor he even seemed to expect Kruger to retire prematurely and hand over the presidency to a better qualified person. Celliers was largely supported by Dr EJP Jorissen, who was state attorney for some time. In the 1888 elections Celliers nevertheless supported Kruger’s candidacy against Joubert and appeared to be more benevolently disposed towards Kruger in this period – especially when a large majority re-elected Kruger. In other respects, however, he continued to be critical of Kruger.