User:WilliamKe/Vladimir Petroff Steyn

Vladimir Petroff Steyn, former Secretary of Defense and Chairman of Satoer, was born on 14 April 1913 in Richmond,Cape Province, South Africa. He was the fourth child of William Herbert (Willie) Steyn and Aletta Johanna (born. Van Zyl) Steyn.

In 1941 he married Augusta Millicent Clark. Three children were born from their marriage: Petrovna Millicent (born 24 December 1943), Helga (born 19 Augustus 1947 en Vladimir Van Zyl (born. 27 September 1951). After V.P. (as he was named) Steyn matriculated in Calvinia, he graduated from the Stellenbosch University, where his brother, Izak Van Zyl Steyn, was a law professor. He started his career in public service in the department of Public Welfare. V.P. Steyn became noteworthy when as Secretary of Defence he signed contracts for the purchase of military aircraft, including Mirage aircraft and Alouette helicopters. His position was abolished after he made known instances of corruption within the state departments and government. He was then appointed as Secretary of Tourism and Chairman of Satoer.

Vladimir Steyn's unusual names are thanks to the daring escape of his father during the First Boer War. Willie Steyn and 4 men escaped from a British ship in harbour in Ceylon and sheltered in a Russian Navy ship. He later named his youngest son after the Russian officer that rescued him from the sea. This story was described in 3 books: Terug na kommando, Die vyf swemmers (Johan Barnard) en Die groot Boere-ontsnapping.

Vladimir Steyn was a famous big game hunter and firearm expert. In November 1991 he was buried in Franschhoek.