Trivia Question 1: What was the name of the South African Prime Minister murdered in 1966?

In 1966, South Africa was shocked by the assassination of Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd. Verwoerd was a key figure in the implementation of apartheid policies in South Africa, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination against non-white citizens.

Verwoerd was born in the Netherlands and later moved to South Africa, where he became a prominent member of the National Party. He served as Prime Minister from 1958 until his untimely death in 1966.

The assassination of Verwoerd occurred on September 6, 1966, during a parliamentary session in Cape Town. A man named Dimitri Tsafendas approached Verwoerd and stabbed him four times in the neck and chest. Despite efforts to save him, Verwoerd succumbed to his injuries and died at the age of 64.

The motives behind Tsafendas' actions were complex and have been the subject of much debate. Tsafendas, who was of mixed-race heritage, claimed that he was influenced by a higher power to commit the assassination in order to end apartheid in South Africa.

The assassination of Verwoerd had far-reaching consequences for South Africa. It led to increased security measures and a crackdown on political dissent. It also sparked debates about the future of apartheid and the need for reform in the country.

To learn more about Hendrik Verwoerd and his impact on South Africa, you can visit the following websites:

• Hendrik Verwoerd - Wikipedia
• Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd - South African History Online