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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/5406 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Hendrich, Gustav |
| Contributors | Visser, W. P., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | x, 319 p. : ill., maps |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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