A Day in the Life of the University of Pretoria. 18 May 1938

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" UP lecturer and Rector, Prof A.E. du Toit, ran as a candidate in the local elections.

Prof A.E. du Toit obtained an MA degree in Mathematics from the South African College (later the University of Cape Town). Further studies took him overseas and he obtained a degree in Engineering from the University of Paris. In 1913, he was appointed as professor in the newly established chair for Mathematics at the Transvaal University College (later the University of Pretoria). He had a strong personality and was very involved in the student community. Du Toit was appointed as chairman of the Senate (1923-1925; 1927-1934), as acting Rector (1927-1929) and later as Rector (1929-1934).

After his term as Rector expired in 1934, Du Toit continued as a lecturer at UP. Four years later he entered politics as a candidate of the “Purified” National Party in the parliamentary ward of Wonderboom, but he lost by a mere nine votes to the United Party candidate on 18 May 1938. He bid Pretoria farewell and settled on his farm Goedgeloof near the Blood River Station in the district of Utrecht, Natal. Here he remained involved in politics and before long became the deputy leader of the National Party in the province. In December 1941, he again was unsuccessful in the election for the seat in Newcastle.

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