title: State Secretary of the South African Republic
text: # State Secretary of the South African Republic
  
  The State Secretary of the South African Republic (Transvaal) was the principal administrative officer of that republic, officially known as the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.
  
  | No. | State Secretary | Tenure | Notes |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Willem Eduard Bok | 1880–1888 | |
  | 2 | Willem Johannes Leyds | 1888–1897 | |
  | – | Cornelis van Boeschoten | 1897 | During extended visit of Leyds to Europe (April–July 1897). |
  | 2 | Willem Johannes Leyds | 1897–1898 | In view of the deteriorating relationship with the British, it was decided that it would politically be better to have an Afrikaner as State Secretary rather than a Dutchman, hence Reitz was appointed to the post. Leyds went to Europe as envoy of the South African Republic, a position he held until the end of the war. |
  | 3 | Francis William Reitz | 1898–1902 | Former State President of the Orange Free State. Retired from that position in 1896 due to ill-health. |
  