Browsing by Author "Hendrich, Gustav"

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    The Afrikander Volunteer Corps and the participation of Afrikanders in conflicts in Rhodesia, 1893-1897
    (Faculty of Military Science of Stellenbosch University, 2012) Hendrich, Gustav
    During the last decade of the nineteenth century, British colonisation in Southern Africa, in particular in Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) had coincided with uneasy relations with the native black population. Partly because of continuing disillusionment over stringent policy regarding native livestock, hostilities between the colonial officials and Matabele and Mashona tribal groups resulted in devastating wars. Within these warring circumstances, Afrikaner settlers who had immigrated to Rhodesia since 1891 – mostly in search of better living opportunities – subsequently found themselves amidst the crossfire of these conflicts. Though subjugated to British colonial authority, the Afrikaner minority were regarded by native blacks as collaborators in maintaining white military and political power in Rhodesia. Consequently, the mere safety of Afrikaners were threatened by sporadic military attacks and skirmishes during the Anglo-Matabele war of 1893, and most of all, for the duration of the Matabele and Mashona rebellions of 1896 to 1897. During the Matabele rebellion, an Afrikander Volunteer Corps (known as the Afrikaner Korps) was established as a military unit, which provided substantial support in two decisive battles. This article seeks to address the role and history of the Afrikander Volunteer Corps, as well as the involvement of ordinary Afrikaners in the turbulent colonial wars in early Rhodesia.
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    Die dinamika van Blank en Bruin verhoudinge op Stellenbosch (1920-1945)
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-12) Hendrich, Gustav; Grundlingh, Albert; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
    Since the twenties the dynamic disposition of white and Coloured human relations was remarkably influenced by specific political, social and economic phenomena and change. In the social life a healthy mutual relationship prevailed. Particularly in the town centre of Stellenbosch white and Coloured residents lived side by side in undisturbed harmony. Within this rather enclosed town society, both religious and educational institutions played a vital role in the colligation and cementation of peaceful white and Coloured co-existence. Apart from this, fixed political thoughts revolving around the maintenance of “white superiority” and the supposition of “Coloured inferiority” became a severe handicap for the constancy of the relations over the long term. During the thirties economic depression, radical political ideologies and particularly an enduring tendency towards racial separation – or segregation, also made inroads into Stellenbosch. White residents mostly embraced segregation as an attempt to safeguard and maintain white control whereas most Coloured people rejected it outright. In 1938 the influence of Afrikaner nationalism and the Great Trek centennial further stimulated the political consciousness of the towns’ people. As a result of increased tension between the different groups in Stellenbosch and the social impact of the outbreak of the Second World War the entire town community became divided between two irreconcilable camps. Together with this political division, internal racial friction mounted and became inevitable. In July 1940, this racial friction reached its pinnacle when a severe town riot between white students and Coloured people erupted. Historically this was one of the most tragic events in the history of Stellenbosch. Thereafter the white and Coloured relations gradually improved despite the ongoing poor socio-economic conditions of Coloured people and the continuation of segregation at the end of the war in 1945.
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    Die geskiedenis van Afrikanerbetrokkenheid in die Rhodesiese tabakbedryf (1890-1980)
    (The Historical Association of South Africa, 2011-11) Hendrich, Gustav
    Die tabakbedryf in Rhodesië (vandag Zimbabwe) het ongetwyfeld 'n kardinale rol in die ekonomiese ontwikkeling van Rhodesië gespeel. Sedert die Britse kolonialisering van Rhodesië gedurende die 1890's het die klem van goudontginning en algemene landbouproduksie geleidelik na die opkomende tabakbedryf verskuif. Alhoewel die maatskappybewind van die British South Africa Company die fondament van die bedryf gelê het, kon die teenwoordigheid van Afrikaners binne die tabakbedryf nie sonder meer ontken word nie. As oorwegend landelike gemeenskap is die toetrede van Afrikaners tot die bedryf egter dikwels deur allerlei probleme en mislukkings gestrem. As gevolg van verbeterde meganisasie, boerderypraktyke en omstandighede na die Tweede Wêreldoorlog, kon Afrikaners meer effektief aan die uitbreiding van die bedryf deelneem. Mettertyd sou hierdie Afrikanertabakboere insgelyks tot die verbouing van Rhodesië se primêre uitvoerkommoditeit bydra. Hierdie artikel het ten doel om die betrokkenheid, probleme en welvaart van Afrikanertabakboere binne die geskiedkundige konteks van die Rhodesiese tabakbedryf te bespreek.
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    Die geskiedenis van die Afrikaner in Rhodesie (1890 – 1980)
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-12) Hendrich, Gustav; Visser, Wessel P.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
    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.
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    Die JV Stalin Works-Kontroversie
    (Department of History, University of the Free State, 2012) Hendrich, Gustav
    During the apartheid era in South Africa many literary and creative book publications were declared undesirable and were banned by the organs of censorship. In the interests of state security communist publications were considered a threat in a state with a predominantly Christian-Calvinist religion and capitalist system. Publications by political figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin were banned in the early 1960s on account of their propagandist elements. In particular, strong objection was made against the writings of Stalin contained in his Works. Following the banning of Works this publication was out of bounds to the public for nearly two decades. As a result of internal changes in perception, as well as the management of publication control after 1977, the way was opened for the review of previously banned publications. Increasing pressure and pleas emanated from academic circles for freedom to consult historical sources for study and research purposes first hand. In 1982 there was an appeal case for lifting the ban on Works, which in fact throws light on the contentiousness around this work by Stalin. Since the ban on possession of this publication was lifted and it being fully unbanned in 1991, the successful appeal may be considered a victory for free expression and learning. It is the purpose of this article to describe and historically analyse the background of censorship under apartheid.
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    "Wees jouself" : Afrikaner kultuurorganisasies in Rhodesie (1934-1980)
    (North-West University, 2013-07) Hendrich, Gustav
    The problem of minority groups in host countries to preserve their culture is a world-wide phenomenon. In the history of Southern Africa the Afrikaners fundamentally experienced the same obstacles and restrictions concerning their linguistic and cultural rights, especially beyond the borders of South Africa. As a bulwark against potential assimilation, suppression and Anglicisation in predominantly English speaking Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe) the Afrikaner minority groups considered it essential to establish cultural organisations. The Afrikaanse Kultuurunie van Rhodesië (AKUR) [Afrikaans Cultural Union of Rhodesia] and the Genootskap van Rhodesiese Afrikaners (GRA) [Association of Rhodesian Afrikaners] thus came to serve as fundamental pillars in the preservation of the Afrikaner culture. These organisations would however not be exclusively concerned with culture, but would also strive for equal minority rights on the political front. This article aims to discuss the history and role of these cultural organisations.