Born 19 April 1931 in Ladybrand a small agricultural town in the province of Orange Free State (now the province of Free State), he studied law at the University of the Orange Free State and qualified as an attorney.
Lahir pada 19 April 1931 di Ladybrand sebuah kota pertanian kecil di provinsi Negara Bebas Orange (sekarang provinsi Free State), ia belajar hukum di University of the Orange Free State dan terkualifikasi menjadi jaksa.