Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch Universiteit, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study the role played by literature or fiction in historiography is investigated. Firstly, the problem of representing an "objective reality" is outlined, and subsequently applied to the domain of historiography by questioning terms such as "objectivity", "reality" and "truth". Due attention is given to changing perceptions about the nature of history writing. It is indicated that historiography cannot render or recreate the past as something which is present here-and-now and, therefore, that history writing is of necessity always an interpreted and subjectively construed representation of an ephemeral "reality". Against this background the thesis focuses on that part of South African history (slavery) which for a variety of reasons lacks a formalised historiography. It is indicated how the "gaps" created by the failures of formalised historiography can be "filled" by the suggestive power of the literary imagination. Wilma Stockenstrëm's Die kremetartekspedisie (1981) is used to exemplify the above claims by specifically noting how the personal slave experience is described through the literary imagination in Die kremetartekspedisie. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word daar ondersoek ingestel na die moontlike rol wat letterkunde of fiksie kan speel in die geskiedskrywingsproses. As agtergrond word die problematiek rondom die bestaan en voorstelling van 'n 'objektiewe werklikheid' bespreek en uitgebrei na die terrein van die historiografie deur die bevraagtekening van terme soos 'objektiwiteit', 'werklikheid' en 'waarheid'. Daar word aandag geskenk aan verskuiwende persepsies oor die aard van geskiedskrywing en aangedui dat historiografie nooit die verlede teenwoordig kan stel nie en dat geskiedskrywing altyd 'n geïnterpreteerde en subjektief-gekonstrueerde representasie van 'n verbygegane 'werklikheid' is. Teen hierdie agtergrond word daar spesifiek gelet op 'n gedeelte van die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis wat, as gevolg van verskeie redes, 'ontbreek' in formele geskiedskrywing, naamlik slawerny. Daar word aangedui hoe hierdie gapings op suggestiewe wyse deur die literêre verbeelding 'gevul' kan word. Die kremetartekspedisie deur Wilma Stockenstr6m dien as voorbeeldteks om bogenoemde punt te illustreer deur spesifiek te let op die wyse waarop 'n slavin moontlik haar persoonlike ervaring van haar slaafskap sou kon verwoord soos dit in Die kremetartekspedisie deur die literêre verbeelding gedoen word.

In recent years, increasing interest has been taken in the career of Andries Stockenstrom. Detailed study of his policy as Landdrost of Graaff-Reinet , as Commissioner-General of the Eastern Districts, and as Lieutenant-Governor, has brought about a realization of the soundness and value of much of his work. This appreciation of the sterling qualities of Stockenstrom's character- despite his undoubtedly difficult temperament - has led to the tacit assumption that the accusations which were levelled against him, and the odium in which he was held in Albany, after his evidence before the Aborigines Committee 1835 -1836, were largely the result of unfortunate newspaper propaganda. That evidence, it is implied - coming as it did at a time when public opinion was peculiarly sensitive to criticism - was in fact, not as black as it had been painted. Yet the events of the period between the Commissioner-Generalship and the Lieutenant- Governorship have not only coloured the judgment upon Stockenstrom of almost every writer on South African history, but so influenced contemporary public opinion as to materially impair the efficiency of his Lieutenant-Governorship. In writing this thesis, it has heen my purpose to make a detailed study of such material as is available for the period 1833-1836, and to endeavour, by an analysis of the evidence more particularly in the light of the years before 1833, to set this significant period in Stockenstrom' s career in its right perspective.