Age, Biography and Wiki

Constand Viljoen (Constand Laubscher Viljoen) was born on 28 October, 1933 in Standerton, Transvaal, Union of South Africa, is a South African military officer and politician (1933–2020). Discover Constand Viljoen's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 86 years old?

Popular As Constand Laubscher Viljoen
Occupation Soldier, farmer and politician
Age 86 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born 28 October 1933
Birthday 28 October
Birthplace Standerton, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
Date of death 3 April, 2020
Died Place Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Nationality South Africa

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 28 October. He is a member of famous officer with the age 86 years old group.

Constand Viljoen Height, Weight & Measurements

At 86 years old, Constand Viljoen height not available right now. We will update Constand Viljoen's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
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Who Is Constand Viljoen's Wife?

His wife is Christina "Ristie" Heckroodt (1935-2021)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Christina "Ristie" Heckroodt (1935-2021)
Sibling Not Available
Children 5

Constand Viljoen Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Constand Viljoen worth at the age of 86 years old? Constand Viljoen’s income source is mostly from being a successful officer. He is from South Africa. We have estimated Constand Viljoen's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income officer

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Timeline

1933

General Constand Laubscher Viljoen (28 October 1933 – 3 April 2020) was a South African military commander and politician.

1951

Viljoen matriculated at Standerton High School in 1951.

1952

He joined South Africa's pre-republic Union Defence Force at the Military Gymnasium in Voortrekkerhoogte for the Permanent Force Cadet Course of which he won the "Best Student" in 1952.

1953

He studied at the Military Academy from 1953 and graduated as Best Student in 1955 receiving a degree in military science at the University of Pretoria.

He was among others Aide de Camp to Dr EG Jansen, Battery Commander at 4 Field Regiment, Instructor at the School of Artillery and Armour, OC 14 Field Regiment in Bethlehem, OC School of Artillery.

1968

Second in Command Orange Free State Command in 1968.

Col Viljoen qualified as a paratrooper at this time in Bloemfontein.

OC Army College, Director of Artillery (on the staff of the Chief of the Army) and Director Management Services (on the staff of the Chief of Defence Staff).

1974

By 1974, Viljoen had been named the South African Army's, subsequently serving as the to the Chief of the South African Defence Force.

1975

Viljoen was the senior SADF military officer directing Operation Savannah in 1975.

He is also credited with having planned the first major airborne assault in South African military history, the Battle of Cassinga, a raid carried out against SWAPO insurgents.

Despite his rank, Viljoen was present during the battle, offering what was described as a "swashbuckling" front-line leadership, which won him the respect of many fellow soldiers.

Viljoen is credited by some with having made overtures which helped lead to white South Africans' acceptance of universal suffrage and free elections, such as with his famous speech at the Broederbond annual assembly in Voortrekkerhoogte, saying of the black South Africans in his army, As hulle kan veg vir Suid-Afrika, kan hulle stem vir Suid-Afrika!

(Afrikaans: "If they can fight for South Africa, then they can vote for South Africa!").

1977

He was appointed as Chief of the Army in 1977 and succeeded General Magnus Malan as in 1980.

1984

He was awarded the Master Gunner badge (crossed-barrels) in 1984.

1993

In 1993, Viljoen and fellow retired generals formed the Afrikaner Volksfront (Afrikaner People's Front), an umbrella body for conservative Afrikaners.

However, Viljoen reportedly had strained relationships with the leaders of other right-wing parties, who considered him too moderate.

As the VF became the strongest party outside Nelson Mandela's Government of National Unity, as the provisional 1993 Constitution required the participation of all parties over 5% of the vote, Viljoen became the de facto leader of the opposition in South Africa until the NP's departure from government in 1996, although he did not officially hold the position.

1994

Immediately prior to the 1994 general elections Viljoen had a force of between 50,000 and 60,000 trained paramilitary personnel at his command, with the ability to seize large sections of the country.

The force was assembled in preparation for war with Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), as a potential contingency to protect Afrikaner interests.

In March 1994, Viljoen led an effort by several thousand Volksfront militia to protect the bantustan president, Lucas Mangope, in Bophuthatswana against a coup d'état.

Despite being requested not to participate in the action because of extremist views, militants of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging also advanced into Bophuthatswana, sparking clashes with the security forces.

Immediately after the incident, Viljoen split from the Volksfront and initiated a legitimate election campaign, co-founding and becoming leader of the Freedom Front (Vryheidsfront), a new political party representing white conservatives.

His decision to take part in the elections is believed to have prevented armed resistance by the far right and on the occasion of his retirement from politics, the South African government recognised him for preventing bloodshed.

Viljoen's decision was at least partly influenced by the mediation of his identical twin brother, Abraham Viljoen (Braam), who was an anti-apartheid activist while his brother led the military.

In the 1994 general election, the Freedom Front, under the leadership of Viljoen, received 2.2% of the national vote and nine seats in the National Assembly.

1999

Although his supporters were at odds with the government and the ANC, Viljoen praised Mandela on the occasion of his retirement from politics in 1999, even ending his Parliamentary speech speaking in Mandela's native language, Xhosa: ''Go and have yourself a well-earned rest.

Go rest in the shadow of a tree at your home''.

2001

In 2001, Viljoen handed over the leadership of the Freedom Front to Pieter Mulder and retired from politics, citing his frustration working with a parliament dominated by the ANC.

2003

In 2003, it emerged that Viljoen had been a target of the Boeremag paramilitary right-wing group, which considered him a traitor who had underhandedly sold out the Afrikaner people.

2004

He co-founded the Afrikaner Volksfront (Afrikaner People's Front) and later founded the Freedom Front (which in turn merged into the Freedom Front Plus before the 2004 election).

He is partly credited with having prevented the outbreak of armed violence by disaffected white South Africans prior to post-apartheid general elections.

2008

In 2008 Viljoen, aged 74, put up what was described as a spirited fight against two would-be muggers, who were subsequently arrested.

2020

Current Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald announced on 3 April 2020 that Viljoen had died on his farm in Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga.

He was 86 and was surrounded by his children.

Viljoen died of natural causes.

He is survived by his wife Christina Susanna Heckroodt, four sons and a daughter.