Thesis (DPhil (History))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The discussion concerning the history of the Afrikaners as a white minority in Rhodesia is a purposeful attempt to historically investigate the presence and fundamental contributions of this particular population group. In methodological terms this study falls within the framework of diaspora and migration studies, movement of nations and the dynamics of minorities living in a host country. Since 1890 Afrikaners from South Africa, mostly as the result of the search for improved living conditions and job opportunities, gradually found their way to the territory north of the Limpopo River. The organised and individual treks, and the sporadic movement of Afrikaner immigrants to Rhodesia would lay the foundations of a self-supporting, though geographically straggling population group. In almost every terrain of life Afrikaners would participate in the provision of essential labour service. Since the Afrikaners mainly represented a rural population, they became very familiar with agricultural practices and surroundings. Predominantly, the Afrikaner farmers would in due time play a contributory role in the overall agricultural industry and economy of Rhodesia. The Afrikaner churches and cultural organisations in Rhodesia would decisively serve to unite Afrikaners religiously and socially, and to knit them together. The influence of Christian ministry and reformist mission work would not remain limited to Afrikaners, but would at the same time also include the Christianisation of black people. Politically, the Afrikaners lived in relatively friendly coexistence with the dominant English-speaking population of a British colony, although unsympathetic political attitudes, preconceived ideas and the fear of Afrikaner nationalism often hampered relations. The restrictive colonial immigration policies, compulsory military service and the rejection of Afrikaans as the second official medium of instruction by the Rhodesian authorities confirmed the political subjection of Afrikaners in Rhodesia. Mutual acceptance among Afrikaners and English-speaking Rhodesians would only emerge after the declaration of independence in 1965. Due to the aspiration of preserving their language and group and national identity, the Afrikaners would consequently not be politically assimilated into the mainstream of the English-speaking population. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bespreking van die geskiedenis van die Afrikaners as blanke minderheid in Rhodesië is 'n doelbewuste poging om die teenwoordigheid en wesenlike bydraes van hierdie bepaalde bevolkingsgroep histories te ondersoek. In metodologiese terme ressorteer hierdie studie binne die raamwerk van diaspora- en migrasiestudies, volksverskuiwing en die dinamika van minderhede woonagtig in 'n gasheerstaat. Sedert 1890 het Afrikaners vanuit Suid-Afrika, merendeels weens die soeke na verbeterde lewensomstandighede en werksgeleenthede, geleidelik hul weg na die gebied noord van die Limpoporivier gevind. Die georganiseerde en individuele Afrikaner-trekke en die sporadiese verhuising van Afrikaner-immigrante na Rhodesië sou die fondamente van . selfonderhoudende, dog geografies wydverspreide bevolkingsgroep lê. Afrikaners sou op feitlik alle lewensterreine en in die verskaffing van noodsaaklike arbeidsdienste deelneem. Aangesien die Afrikaners in hoofsaak 'n landelike bevolking verteenwoordig het, het hulle goed vertroud geraak met die boerderypraktyk en -omgewing. Die Afrikaner-boere sou oorwegend met verloop van tyd 'n bydraende ontwikkelingsrol in die algehele Rhodesiese landboubedryf en ekonomie vervul. Die Afrikaner-kerke en -kultuurorganisasies in Rhodesie sou 'n deurslaggewende godsdienstige, sosialiserings- en saambindende funksie verrig om Afrikaners te verenig. Die invloed van Christelike bearbeiding en reformistiese sendingwerk sou nie tot Afrikaners beperk bly nie, maar terselfdertyd ook die kerstening van swart mense insluit. Polities het Afrikaners in relatief vriendskaplike naasbestaan met die dominante Engelssprekende bevolking van 'n Britse kolonie verkeer, hoewel onsimpatieke politieke houdings, vooropgestelde idees en vrees vir Afrikaner-nasionalisme dikwels verhoudinge belemmer het. Die beperkende koloniale immigrasiebeleide, verpligte militere diensplig en die afkeur van Afrikaans as tweede amptelike voertaal deur die Rhodesiese owerhede, was bevestigend van die politieke onderworpenheid van Afrikaners in Rhodesië. Wedersydse aanvaarding tussen Afrikaners en Engelssprekende Rhodesiers sou eers na die onafhanklikheidverklaring in 1965 na vore kom. Danksy die strewe om die behoud van hul taal, groepsidentiteit en volkseie sou die Afrikaners dus nie polities in die hoofstroom van die Engelssprekende bevolking geassimileer word nie.