Johan Adolf Pengel
Johan Adolf "Jopie" Pengel (20 January 1916 – 5 June 1970) was a Surinamese politician, and prime minister of Suriname from 30 June 1963 to 5 March 1969 for the National Party of Suriname (NPS).
Johan Adolf Pengel | |
|---|---|
Johan Adolf Pengel in 1963 | |
| Prime Minister of Suriname | |
| In office 30 June 1963 – 5 March 1969 | |
| Monarch | Juliana |
| Preceded by | Severinus Desiré Emanuels |
| Succeeded by | Jules Sedney |
| Member of the Estates of Suriname | |
| In office 1949–1970 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 January 1916 Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Died | 5 June 1970 (aged 54) Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Political party | National Party of Suriname |
| Profession | Politician, trade unionist |
Biography edit
Pengel was born in Paramaribo on 20 January 1916. He went to law school, but did not graduate. Van Dijck owned a large parcel of ground close to Pengel's home which was rented to poor Afro and Indo-Surinamese people, and started to demand large rent increases. Pengel started a protest movement against Van Dijck, and managed to raise enough money to buy the land.[1]
In 1949, he joined the National Party of Suriname,[2] and was elected to the Estates of Suriname.[3] He became one of the most influential politicians in Suriname at that time.[4] In 1952, he became chairman of General Alliance of Labour Unions in Suriname.[3] In 1955, he was elected Chairman of the Estates of Suriname.[5]
In 1955, the NPS, led by Pengel and the United Hindustani Party (VHP), the largest Hindu party led by Jagernath Lachmon, fashioned a coalition which successfully took power in 1958, and held it until 1967, allowing both the groups to understand each other.[6] In 1958, Pengel was formateur of the Emanuels government, however he decided to remain party leader and not take part in the government.[1]
In 1963, Pengel was elected Prime Minister of Suriname.[1] Under Pengel's government, the Surinamese infrastructure was strongly developed. Roads were constructed and existing infrastructure was strongly improved. Two new hospitals were built.[7] In 1967, he was re-elected and also served as Minister of General Affair, Interior and Finance. The States General of the Netherlands was of the opinion that Pengel's government was spending too much money, and cut development aid. This caused strikes which led to the downfall of his government in 1969.[1]
Pengel died of sepsis on 5 June 1970, at the age of 54 in Paramaribo.[8]
Legacy edit
Pengel owned a country residence in Carolina on the Blackwatra Creek. Artificial rapids were constructed in the creek to give the impression of a bubble bath. After his death, it was turned into the Blaka Watra recreation area.[9]
Pengel was a collector of animals. When he received lions in 1966, he thought it would be better to build a zoo. In 1972, the Paramaribo Zoo opened.[10]
In 1974, a statue of Pengel was revealed on Onafhankelijkheidsplein. The statue was created by Stuart Robles de Medina.[11]
In 1990, the main airport at Zanderij was renamed Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Jopie Pengel". Andere Tijden (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "NPS herdenkt geboortedag Pengel". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Stieven Ramdharie (24 March 2000). "'Jopie' blijft tot de verbeelding spreken". De Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ . Mamjo. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ^ (in Dutch)
- ^ "Johan Adolf Pengel", Suriname. Retrieved on 15 August 2013.
- ^ . Citypical (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ^ "Herdenking 'Jopie' Pengel in Suriname". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "Blaka Watra". Parbode (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Nieuwe kans voor Paramaribo Zoo". Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Johan Adolf Pengel". Parbode (in Dutch). 1 May 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2021.