Browsing by Author "Kayster, Anziske Florenza"

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    The complexities of heritage production in a South African community from the 1900s to the present : Graaff-Reinet, a case study
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Kayster, Anziske Florenza; Grundlingh, Albert; Grundlingh, A. M., 1948-; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary argument behind this investigation is the observation that heritage has become ubiquitous in contemporary societies. The need for heritage is contagious and is observed globally, albeit that this need is subject to fluctuations which include the influence of geographical place. This study, therefore, engages with heritage theory in Graaff-Reinet as a geographical microcosmos of South Africa, and evaluates if heritage is the contemporary usage of the past in current societies. The primary argument behind this investigation is the observation that heritage has become ubiquitous in contemporary societies. The need for heritage is contagious and is observed globally, albeit that this need is subject to fluctuations which include the influence of geographical place. This study, therefore, engages with heritage theory in Graaff-Reinet as a geographical microcosmos of South Africa, and evaluates if heritage is the contemporary usage of the past in current societies. This study draws on examples extracted from the historical record. The researcher aspires to address and rectify the lacunae that exist regarding heritage in Graaff-Reinet. She casts the heritage net wider to also include an investigation of the heritage of the Black and Coloured population of Graaff-Reinet, and to narrate their role in the production process as opposed to previous histographies, who omitted or moderated their role in scholarship. In addition, the study offers insights into the heritage consumption process during certain important time periods in the history of South Africa and thus, Graaff-Reinet. During this investigation of the uses of heritage, the researcher utilises various examples of heritage to determine what the primary use of heritage is and how it was employed to achieve cultural, political, and economic objectives. Lastly, this exploration aims to shed light on the inherent dissonant nature of heritage and particularly the stimuli that provokes dissonance in heritage in a post-colonial society such as Graaff-Reinet. For this purpose, the researcher once again extracted examples from the historical record which were subjected to critical analysis. For this study, a qualitative research approach was adopted. This approach allows the examination of a community within a particular geographical area and encouraged a detailed enquiry into people’s experiences, utilising research methods which included in-depth interviews and the interpretation of information collected through oral history interviews. In addition, this information was augmented by the theoretical interpretation of the archival material obtained from repositories such as the local municipality, museums, churches, a local school and from the private collections of the residents of Graaff-Reinet.