The Opportunist: The Political Life of Oswald Pirow, 1915-1959

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Oswald Pirow (1890–1959) served as Minister of Defence under Hertzog. He was pivotal in creating the South African Airways and prosecuted Nelson Mandela in the Treason Trial. Mouton looks at his life and explores his burning ambition to become prime minister, his ruthless ability to adjust his sails to prevailing political winds and his willingness to take risks to satisfy his political ambitions. The author summarises: “Pirow was an intriguing personality. He was ambitious, highly intelligent, cynical, charismatic, competent, energetic, a brilliant orator and an outstanding government minister. The political life of Pirow is the story of a gifted person who through opportunism wrecked a promising career.”