1652–62 Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (born 1940); Leader of the Opposition as chairman of the Progressive Federal Party, 1979–86. Gideon Brand van Zyl (1873–1956); Governor-General, 1945–50 H.F. Verwoerd (1901–1966); nicknamed "The Architect of Apartheid"; Prime Minister, 1958–66, until his assassination. The 6th Earl of Clarendon (1877–1955); Governor-General, 1931–37; Marais Viljoen (1915–2007); State President, 1979–84 B.J. Vorster (1915–1983); Prime Minister, 1966–78; State President, 1978–79 Z Jacob Zuma (born 1942); former President of South Africa 2007–2018 Zille, Helen (born 1951); Mayor of Cape Town, 2006–2009; Premier of Western Cape province, 2009–present) See also List of South Africans President of South Africa Politicians