Die geskiedenis van die Afrikaner inRhodesie (1890 – 1980)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The discussion concerning the history of the Afrikaners as a white minority in Rhodesiais a purposeful attempt to historically investigate the presence and fundamentalcontributions of this particular population group. In methodological terms this study fallswithin the framework of diaspora and migration studies, movement of nations and thedynamics of minorities living in a host country.Since 1890 Afrikaners from South Africa, mostly as the result of the search forimproved living conditions and job opportunities, gradually found their way to theterritory north of the Limpopo River. The organised and individual treks, and thesporadic movement of Afrikaner immigrants to Rhodesia would lay the foundations of aself-supporting, though geographically straggling population group. In almost everyterrain of life Afrikaners would participate in the provision of essential labour service.Since the Afrikaners mainly represented a rural population, they became very familiarwith agricultural practices and surroundings. Predominantly, the Afrikaner farmers wouldin due time play a contributory role in the overall agricultural industry and economy ofRhodesia.The Afrikaner churches and cultural organisations in Rhodesia would decisivelyserve to unite Afrikaners religiously and socially, and to knit them together. Theinfluence of Christian ministry and reformist mission work would not remain limited toAfrikaners, but would at the same time also include the Christianisation of black people.Politically, the Afrikaners lived in relatively friendly coexistence with thedominant English-speaking population of a British colony, although unsympatheticpolitical attitudes, preconceived ideas and the fear of Afrikaner nationalism oftenhampered relations. The restrictive colonial immigration policies, compulsory militaryservice and the rejection of Afrikaans as the second official medium of instruction by theRhodesian authorities confirmed the political subjection of Afrikaners in Rhodesia.Mutual acceptance among Afrikaners and English-speaking Rhodesians would onlyemerge after the declaration of independence in 1965. Due to the aspiration of preservingtheir language and group and national identity, the Afrikaners would consequently not bepolitically assimilated into the mainstream of the English-speaking population.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University