Karl Bremer

Dr. Karl Bremer
Karl Bremer in 1950
Minister of Health and Social Welfare
In office 1951–1953
Prime Minister	D. F. Malan
Preceded by	Albert Jacobus Stals
Succeeded by	A. J. R. van Rhijn(Health) Johannes Hendrikus Viljoen(Social Welfare)
Personal details
Born	Karl Bremer (1885-04-27)27 April 1885 Hopefield,Cape Colony(nowWestern Cape,South Africa)
Died	18 July 1953(1953-07-18)(aged 68) Cape Town,Cape Province,South Africa
Political party	National Party
Alma mater	University of Stellenbosch
Occupation	Doctor and politician

Karl Bremer(27 April 1885 – 18 July 1953) was a medical doctor and a South African politician who became the Minister of Health and Social Welfare inSouth Africain DrD. F. Malan's cabinet.

Early life

Bremer is of German ancestry, his father emigrated fromGermanytoCape Colonyshortly before his birth. Bremer was the only son, among a family of 7 children, of a physician onHopefieldin theCape Colony.His father, also a doctor, died at the age of 45 while his son was only 8 years old.

His mother moved with her children toWellingtonin theWestern Capewhere Bremer attended school at theHuguenot College.In 1903 he studied at theUniversity of Stellenbosch,graduating with an honours inbotany,and obtained a scholarship that allowed him to pursue medical studies inEngland.Bremer also studied at theUniversity of CornellinNew Yorkand atSt Bartholomew's HospitalinLondonhe studied to become a physician. He studied further at theUniversity of Berlin.In 1930 he specialized in Berlin as anotorhinolaryngologist.

Career

Bremer was a reputable doctor at a children's hospital before returning toCradockwith his sick mother. In 1910 Bremer established himself as a physician at Cradock in the Eastern Cape and was elected to the city council. During theFirst World Warhe served as a medical doctor for the South African troops in East Africa. He was then medical inspector of schools in the Cape Town province. He was a doctor in Cape Town during the 1918 flu epidemic. In February 1919 he established himself atGraaff-Reinetas a general practitioner.

In 1911 he was chosen as a member of theCape Provincial Council.From 1924 to 1925 and again from 1929 to 1943 he served as deputy for the Graaff-Reinet constituent. In 1943, he changed constituency and became a member of Parliament for Stellenbosch. From January 1949 till March 1951 he served on the Senate, but in 1951 he was elected as representative ofCeresconstituency. In February 1951 Dr. Albert Jacobus Stals, the minister of health and social welfare in Dr.D.F. Malan's cabinet died. Bremmer succeeded him in his post as minister and stayed representative of the Ceres constituency. In the 1953 general election, he won the seat of the Vasco constituency.

Bremer became known for the attention he gave to preventative healthcare, housing and nourishment, but did not succeed to lessen the provinces' regulation over hospitals and to shift regulation to the central government. Karl Bremer was a very active politician. He was the protector of less fortunate in society and always advocated for the advancement of rural areas. He placed his attention on welfare and preventative healthcare and advocated a national medical-care.

From 1939 Bremer was a member of the Medical Council of the Union of South Africa and in 1943 he became the President of the organization. From 1933 to 1948 he served as chairman of theNational Partyin the Cape Colony. He retired as a physician in 1947 for health reasons. He suffered a stroke causing a temporary aphasia.

TheUniversity of Stellenboschelected him as vice-chancellor. In 1952 theUniversity of Witwatersrandawarded him an honorary PhD. in law. TheKarl Bremer HospitalinBellville, Western Capecarries his name since its inauguration on June 30, 1956, by Jozua François Naudé.

Retired as Minister of Health, Bremer died on July 18, 1953, at the age of 68.

Literature

• Botha, H.P., 1961.Meer as 'n dagtaak. Die lewe van Karl Bremer.Cape Town: HAUM (Publication number 4).
• Potgieter, D.J. 1970.Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa,deel 2.Cape Town: National Educational Publishing House.
• Krüger, D. W., Beyers, C. J., & Human Sciences Research Council. (1977). Suid-Afrikaanse biografiese woordeboek: Deel III. Kaapstad: Tafelberg.
• Venter, E. A. (1980). 400 leiers in Suid-Afrika oor vier eeue: Beskouinge oor vierhonderd leierfigure in Suid-Afrika sedert die grondlegging. Potchefstroom: E.A. Venter.ISBN0624008487
• SA Medical Journal, September 5, 1953, 778-779