 After Göring was recalled from office, François served as "Reichskommissar" of German South West Africa from March 1891 until November 1893.Within this time period (on 12 September 1892) he established the coastal town of Swakopmund as the main harbour of German South West Africa and mapped large parts of the colony.In November 1893 he was promoted to Major and given the title of "Landeshauptmann".