If the opportunity had given birth to a man who would have been accepted as general of the generals--a man was needed who could introduce discipline and training into the rudimentary military system of the country--the chances of the Boer success would have been far greater.
The leaders of the Boer army were elected by a vote of the people in the same manner in which they chose their presidents and civil officials.

Age, ability, and military experience did not have any bearing on the subject except in so far as they influenced the mind of the individual voter.
Family influences, party affiliations, and religion had a strong bearing on the result of the elections, and, as is frequently the case with civil authorities in other countries, the men with the best military minds and experience were not always chosen.

It was as a result of this system that General Joubert was at the head of the army when a younger, more energetic, and more warlike man should have been Commandant-General.

At the last election for Commandant-General, Joubert, a Progressive, also received the support of the Conservatives, so that two years later he might not be a candidate for the Presidency against Paul Kruger.

In the same manner the commandants of the districts and the field-cornets of the wards were chosen, and in the majority of the cases no thought was taken of their military ability at the time of the election.