9 May 1883
Stefanus Johannes Paulus (Paul) Kruger is often referred to as the 'father of the Afrikaner nation'. This is because his firm belief in the destiny of the Afrikaner, his strong faith, and his obedience to his God characterized his life. On 9 May 1883 he was inaugurated as the first State President of the restored ZAR (Transvaal Republic). He proceeded to negotiate complete independence for the ZAR from Britain in 1884, at the London Convention.
References

Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar. Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.| Muller, C.F.J. (ed) (1981). Five Hundred years: a history of South Africa; 3rd rev. ed. Pretoria: Academica. p. 279.