Daniël Malan announced his retirement to a "dumbfounded" cabinet on 12 October 1954. It was thought to be linked to his health. The party favourite, Eric Louw, was suggested by Die Burger to take over. But in the ensuing months, a race broke out between Nicolaas Havenga and Johannes Strydom â who wanted to accelerate the "nationalist objectives."
On 30 November 1954, Johannes Strydom was announced as Daniël Malan's successor.