Ontstaansgeskiedenis van Die Oranjeklub, met spesiale verwysing na die bevordering van die Suid-Afrikaanse toonkuns
Date
2009-03
Authors
Botha, Yolanda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Die Oranjeklub was the first Afrikaans culture organisation in Cape Town. Active since 1915,
it strove to shape Afrikaner identity and advance Afrikaner art and culture. The main aim of
the club was to inspire national sentiment, especially among young Afrikaners, and to help
cultivate a love in this constituency for their language and history. This national sentiment
was nourished by meetings of social and cultural significance. In this respect, Die Oranjeklub
played an integral role in early twentieth-century Cape Town to oppose a perceived English
political and cultural supremacy, acting as a buffer against the so-called ‘ver-Engelsing’ or
Anglicization that was seen to threaten the identity of especially urban Afrikaners.
Programmes during meetings usually comprised of a speech, supplemented by music and
recital items that were generally contributed by Afrikaans club members. Meetings that
deviated from this norm were mainly evenings where plays were performed or festivaloccasions
of national importance in which the club was actively involved.
The club’s management comprised two levels: an honorary committee and an executive
committee. Many historically important figures served on the honorary-committee. The list
includes names like D.F. Malan, J.B.M. Hertzog, C.J. Langenhoven and J.C. Smuts, amongst
others. The executive committee had equally noteworthy chairmen, like the writer I.D. du
Plessis and the critic C.H. Weich. The names of many important musicians can be found on
club programmes, including Arnold van Wyk, Blanche Gerstman and Stefans Grové.
Important actors and role players in theatre also participated in club events, amongst others
Anna Neethling-Pohl, N.P. van Wyk Louw and Sarah Goldblatt. Speakers included
personalities like D. Craven, C. Barnard and P.W. Botha.
In 1976, after many decades trying to advance culture among white Afrikaners in Cape Town,
the club was disbanded. This thesis documents, for the first time, the history of Die
Oranjeklub. It also considers the meaning of the club’s cultural activities, especially its efforts
to advance music among its members.
Description
Thesis (MMus (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Oranjeklub, Associations, institutions, etc. -- South Africa, Musicians, Afrikaner, Afrikaners -- Ethnic identity, Music -- History and criticism, Dissertations -- Music, Theses -- Music