Constand Viljoen
South African military officer and politician (1933–2020) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
General Constand Laubscher Viljoen (28 October 1933 – 3 April 2020) was a South African military commander and politician. From 1994 to 2001, he was a Member of Parliament.
Quick Facts Leader of the Freedom Front, Preceded by ...
Constand Viljoen | |
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Leader of the Freedom Front | |
In office 1 March 1994 – 26 June 2001 | |
Preceded by | Party established |
Succeeded by | Pieter Mulder |
Member of Parliament | |
In office 1994–2001 | |
President | Nelson Mandela Thabo Mbeki |
Personal details | |
Born | Constand Laubscher Viljoen (1933-10-28)28 October 1933[1] Standerton, Transvaal, Union of South Africa |
Died | 3 April 2020(2020-04-03) (aged 86) Ohrigstad, Limpopo, South Africa |
Political party | Freedom Front Plus (1994–2001) |
Other political affiliations | National Party (pre-1994) |
Spouse(s) | Christina "Ristie" Heckroodt |
Relations | Braam Viljoen (twin brother) |
Children | 5 |
Alma mater | University of Pretoria |
Military service | |
Allegiance | South Africa |
Branch/service | South African Army |
Years of service | 1956–1985 |
Rank | General |
Unit | 4 Field Regiment |
Commands | Chief of the South African Defence Force Chief of the Army Director General Operations South African Army College School of Artillery |
Battles/wars | South African Border War Operation Savannah |
Awards | Star of South Africa Southern Cross Decoration South African Police Star for Outstanding Service Southern Cross Medal Military Merit Medal Order of the Cloud and Banner with Grand Cordon (China) |
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He co-founded the Afrikaner Volksfront (Afrikaner People's Front) and later founded the Freedom Front (now Freedom Front Plus).[2] He was known for stopping armed violence by white South Africans during the post-apartheid general elections.[3]