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Born on May 24, 1870, Jan Smuts was a prominent South African statesman, military leader, and philosopher. He played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's history, serving as Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 to 1924 and again from 1939 to 1948. A towering figure in South African politics, Smuts left an indelible mark on the country's social, economic, and political landscape.