Background
Jan Loots was born on June 4, 1914, at Prieska on the Orange River.
Jan Loots was born on June 4, 1914, at Prieska on the Orange River.
Educated locally, then sent to Stellenbosch University where he obtained Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees.
Soon after he began legal practice he fell ill. After convalescence he had to take up farming for the sake of his health and became a successful farmer at Swemkuil in the Prieska area.
Dr Donges a National Party chairman in Cape Province persuaded him to contest the Queenstown constituency in 1961. In Parliament he concentrated on finance and agriculture, becoming chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts. On August 30, 1968, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs. He was promoted to the cabinet in May 1970 as Minister of Planning and Statistics and of Coloured and Rehoboth Affairs. In the July 1972 reshuffle he became Minister of Planning and Statistics without the other responsibilities.
Protege of the late Dr T. E. Donges, the Finance Minister, who nursed him into a political career after a serious illness had forced him to abandon his law practice and take up farming. Finance and farming have remained his main interests in politics where he has been conscientious if not charismatic.
