VAN ZYL, GIDEON BRAND
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Gideon Brand Van Zyl (Cape Town, June 3, 1873-November 1, 1956) was Governor General of the Union from 1945 to 1950, the first South African-born Governor General in the country’s history.
PHOTO CAPTION: Gideon Brand Van Zyl. SOURCE: EA Library.
Van Zyl was educated at the Normal and South African colleges in Cape Town. He qualified as an attorney in 1898 and began to practice law with his father, Dr. Casper Hendrik Van Zyl. In 1915, Van Zyl was elected to the Cape Provincial Council. Three years later he was elected to Parliament as a member of the South African Party from Sea Point. From 1921-24 he served as Chairman of Committees in the House of Assembly, becoming Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker in 1934.
Van Zyl travelled to London in 1935 as Chair of the South African delegation to the international parliamentary conference there.
In 1942 Van Zyl was appointed Administrator of the Cape Province where he attempted to navigate the emergencies of wartime, including the lack of supplies. In 1945 he became governor-general of the Union, the first South African by birth to hold that position.
He retired in December 1950.
VIRGINIA CURTIN KNIGHT
