14 Facts About Annie Botha

Annie Botha was a South African civic leader and political hostess.

Annie Botha was the wife of Louis Botha, who served as the first Prime Minister of South Africa.

Annie Botha established an orphanage in South Africa and, with Georgiana Solomon, co-founded and chaired the South African Women's Federation.

Annie Botha was raised in the Anglican faith and her family were members of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa.

Annie Botha was educated at St Michael's School, an Anglican school in Bloemfontein run by the Community of St Michael and All Angels.

Annie Botha later taught at the school until she moved with her parents to Vryheid.

Annie Botha's husband served as a Boer general and later as Commander in Chief of the Transvall during the war.

Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener persuaded Annie Botha to find out if her husband would be willing to meet with him, after it seemed the Boer forces would not surrender.

Annie Botha was granted permission to visit him in Bothasberg, after a journey by train and a mule-pulled wagon.

Annie Botha convinced her husband to meet with Lord Kitchener in Middelburg in February 1901.

In 1901 Annie Botha was allowed to go to Europe, where she remained until the war ended.

Annie Botha returned to South Africa in 1902 and found that their home had been destroyed, so the family settled in a home on Cilliers Street in Pretoria.

Annie Botha stepped down as chairwoman after her husband's election as Prime Minister of the Transvaal Colony but was nominated for a lifetime honorary presidency within the organization.

Annie Botha established the Louis Annie Botha Home for Orphans and Children in Need.