Afrikaans

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Birth of a new people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

British interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

The Great Trek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

The scramble for diamonds and gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

The Anglo-Boer War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

The Union of South Africa (1910-1960) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

GENDER ROLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

SPECIAL OCCASIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL BELIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

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THE AFRIKANER: THE WHITE TRIBE OF AFRICA

INTRODUCTION

The Afrikaners are the onlytruly indigenous white tribe ofAfrica. They speak their ownindigenous language,Afrikaans, formed over manyyears as people of differentnationalities started to devel-op a combined culture. Thistribe traces their origins tothe first permanent settle-ment of Dutch colonists in1652, to the FrenchHuguenots; Protestantrefugees from catholicFrance and to the earlyGerman settlers.

Today’s Afrikaners haveadapted well to modern dayexistence and have lostmuch of their traditional cul-ture, although the character-istics are still there.

HISTORICALBACKGROUND

The Dutch were one of thekey colonial powers duringthe seventeenth century.After they had brokenPortugal’s monopoly overtrade with the East, theDutch dominated the traderoutes via the Cape of GoodHope. It soon became nec-essary for them to establisha halfway station at the Capeof Good Hope, to providetheir ships with food, waterand medical services.

In 1688 the Dutch settlerswere joined by FrenchHuguenots of the Protestantfaith, who had fled fromFrance after the revocationof the Edict of Nantes, as aresult of which they weresubjected to large-scale reli-gious persecution.

In due course, German set-tlers also made their way tothe Cape of Good Hope.

Birth of a newpeople

During the period when theDutch East India Companyruled the Cape of GoodHope, the settlers were alter-nately neglected and inter-fered with. In defence, theydeveloped a sturdy inde-pendence of spirit, whichwas further strengthened byhaving to ward off intermit-tent attacks by local indige-nous tribes.

Although the various commu-nities were proud of theirown traditions and tried toisolate and maintain theirseparate identities, it wasinevitable that they wouldstart to cooperate and com-bine their efforts. Their thirstfor liberty, which had ledthem to Africa in the firstplace, frequent social contactand common interests anddangers, created a patriotismand an identity that roseabove all cultural differences.The formation of a new peo-ple, the Afrikaners (alsoreferred to as the Boers),was inevitable.

Britishinterference

After the British hadassumed control of the Capein 1805, their colonial gov-erning principles causedintense resentment amongthe settlers. Issues such asBritish labour laws, frontierraiding, general colonial

administration, the threat toBoer property rights and, asthe last straw, the Britishdecree that English would infuture be the only official lan-guage, became too much tobear. In true pioneering spirit,the Afrikaner farmers decidedto pack up and leave andfind a new home far awayfrom the stifling rules of thecolonial government.

The Great Trek

Organised Afrikaner (Boer)parties, now called“Voortrekkers” (“those whomove ahead”), left theirfarms and most of their pos-sessions in the Cape and setoff in ox-drawn wagons.

The Voortrekkers experi-enced many hardships andtraumas before being able toestablish their much-yearned-for free Boerrepublics. Long and devas-tating battles had to befought against the inhabitantsof some of the areas thatthey so naively thoughtwould be empty and unin-habited. Because theVoortrekkers were not a unit-ed nation but an alliance offamily households groupedunder strong-willed, inde-pendent leaders, internalsquabbles also added totheir problems.

The strife with indigenousBlack tribes often led to mas-sacres under which bothgroups suffered. One of themost famous events inAfrikaner history is the Battleof Blood River, fought innorthern KwaZulu-Natal, on16th of December 1838.

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This battle was fought in retaliation for thekilling of the Boer leader Piet Retief and hismen while negotiating a deal for land withthe Zulu chief Dingane.

During the battle, the Voortrekker leader,Andries Pretorius and his men defeated 12000 war-trained Zulus. Before the battle, theBoers swore a solemn oath to God, promis-ing that if He saved them from their enemies,they and their descendants would henceforthcelebrate this day as a religious holiday.

This battle marked the end of hostilitiesbetween the Boers and the Zulus in Natal.When things became more settled, some 6000 Boers settled in the area, which theycalled the Republic of Natal (or Natalia).Other groups settled on the TransvaalHighveld and in the Orange Free State.When the British annexed Natal during 1843,large numbers of Boers once again packedup and left to find freedom in the free BoerRepublics of the Transvaal and Orange FreeState.

The Boer settlements in the Transvaal werelater united in what became known as theZuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) (SouthAfrican Republic - SAR). The capital city wasnamed Pretoriusstad, after Andries Pretoriusand later renamed Pretoria.

The ‘Great Trek’ changed the political face ofsouthern Africa and was one of the eventsthat forged an even stronger Afrikaner identi-ty.

The scramble for diamonds and gold

Towards the end of the nineteenth century diamonds and gold were discovered in theTransvaal and the Orange Free State Republics. Envious eyes were turned towards theAfrikaner republics and trouble was soon to follow. The war that was fought for control of therich goldfields, was called the Anglo-Boer War.

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The Anglo-Boer War

During the early phases of the war, the Boers enjoyed many victories, mainly as a result oftheir intimate knowledge of the terrain and the dependable help they received from theirwives, children and servants, left behind on the farms.

However, with the arrival of the main British force in January 1900, conditions changed forthe worse. The British erected concentration camps in which they incarcerated Boer andBlack women and children and destroyed their homes, livestock and crops. These harshmeasures eventually brought the Boer forces to their knees, forcing them to surrender inMay, 1902.

However, although the Boers had lost the war, they eventually won the peace. The Britishgranted generous terms to the Boers and in due course allowed the Boers political controlover both the ex-Boer republics. Britain did not object in 1909 when the South AfricanNational Convention opted to form a union of the two British colonies and the two formerrepublics and drew up a Constitution that left political power firmly entrenched in WhiteAfrikaner hands.

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The Union ofSouth Africa(1910-1960)

After the restoration of self-government, Afrikanersearnestly started to rebuildtheir shattered national pride.Eventually, when theAfrikaners were consolidatedon the cultural and politicalfronts, a new Afrikaner repub-licanism emerged. It reachedits zenith in 1914 and wasfuelled by a reaction againstthe British imperial domi-nance and an aversion togoing to war against theGermans in South WestAfrica (Namibia).

Over the years, the Afrikanersdeveloped a strong desire tokeep political power in theirhands and to solidify theirpowerbase. After it had wonthe general election of 1948,the National Party set its poli-cy of separate development(Apartheid) in motion. Thispolicy included the establish-ment of Black Homelands,intended to make provisionfor each African tribe tobecome self-sufficient and togovern itself.

The Apartheid policies result-ed in bitter resentment andfierce resistance from BlackSouth Africans. Black politicalparties grew in power andinternational sentiment turnedagainst the Apartheid govern-ment. During the years thatfollowed, the Afrikaners slowlybut surely started to lose theirpolitical power.

The liberation of Africa sawthe end of colonial Whiteminority rule in Rhodesia andMozambique and trade andarmaments boycotts againstSouth Africa increased.President FW de Klerk even-tually released NelsonMandela, the imprisoned ANCleader and started talks abouta transitional Constitution.The ANC won the 1994national election and politicalpower thus passed fromAfrikaner hands to those ofthe ANC.

SOCIAL AND CUL-TURAL LIFE

From the earliest days of theAfrikaner nation, theAfrikaner’s home, family andchurch were central to hisbeing. In the early days, mostAfrikaners were farmers(hence the name Boers) andtheir love of the outdoors andof the land has been carriedforward through successivegenerations. Boys helpedtheir fathers with the farmingwhile the girls helped theirmothers with the householdchores. The latter, apart fromcooking and cleaning alsoincluded making candles andclothing for themselves andthe men.

During the years of Britishrule, British culture had a pro-found influence on theAfrikaner who adopted andincorporated into the Afrikanerlifestyle Britain’s parliamen-tary system of government,business administration, aswell as that country’s senseof sportsmanship and eti-quette. However, despitethese influences, theAfrikaner did not becomeanglicised but remained trueto his own unique heritageand culture.

The modern Afrikaneradheres to many of the earlierBoers’ values and beliefs andis still renowned for his hospi-tality and family values.

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GENDER ROLES

Traditionally, the Afrikaner had greatrespect for the elderly and anyone else ina position of authority. The women wereoften the driving force behind the men. Infact, legend has it that the Afrikanerwomen declared that they would rather‘trek’ (hike) over the Drakensberg MountainRange barefoot than be subject to Britishrule. They also showed great fortitude dur-ing the Anglo-Boer War when thousandswere incarcerated in concentration campswith their children, in which a great manyof them died.

Traditionally, the husband was honouredas the head of the home. Children weremuch loved and enjoyed a great deal offreedom but were taught to treat their eld-ers with respect. Afrikaners have alwaysbeen very family-orientated and fiercelyprotective of their families and family val-ues.

SPECIAL OCCASIONSThe early Afrikaners loved social gather-ings and were famous for their hospitalityand sense of humour. Weddings were cel-ebrated with gusto and involved much eat-ing, drinking and dancing. These were thehighlights of the social calendar and a timefor the young folk to get together.

‘Nagmaal’ (Holy Communion) and the con-firmation of young people into the churchwere special occasions when whole fami-lies camped out on the church grounds forthe weekend to celebrate the occasion.

Since the Battle of Blood River, 16th ofDecember has been commemorated as aholy day, a day on which to thank God forsaving the Afrikaner nation from annihilation.

RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL BELIEFS

Next to family, the Afrikaners had greatreverence for God, the Church and fortheir political, cultural and religious leaders.Cultural and religious activities dominatedtheir lives and were heartily supported.Political issues were hotly debated andwould bring out the stubborn streak in theAfrikaner psyche. Arguments would attimes become so explosive that theysometimes threatened the unity of familiesand the Afrikaner nation, a phenomenonwhich can still be seen in the politicalstruggles of South Africa today.

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