Masters Degrees (History)

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Andersdenkende verset : Afrikaner kulturele standpunt teen apartheid en Afrikaner kontak met die ANC in die 1980's
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-03) Kitshoff, Herman van Zijl; Grundlingh, Albert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A renewed and unique spirit of resistance to apartheid spread across South Africa during the 1980's. This manifested as the black revolt between 1984 and 1986, as well as in the ANC's policies supporting the use of violence as a means to emancipation from the restrictions imposed by the apartheid government. The legacy of the Soweto uprising of 1976, coupled with P.W. Botha's efforts to reform, to a great extent fuelled these revolts which spread across the country during the 1980' s; while the constitution of 1983 led the militant young, predominantly ANC followers to again conclude that their future was doomed under apartheid. The ANC's policy of aggession towards the government was a further impetus for violent behaviour amongst the masses. International sanctions against apartheid increasingly crippled the National Party government during the 1980's. This revolutionary situation III the country, together with the obvious logjam the government found itself in, led to the psychological awakening of a group of Afrikaners known as the "dissidents". Although doubts about apartheid had existed amongst white South Africans since the sixties, the resistance in Afrikaner-circles during the 1980's was unique especially for it's active nature. It agreed furthermore with a zealous global sense of apathy towards apartheid, and was to a great degree fuelled by the black revolts and the government's aggressive way of containing these uprisings. This caused liberalminded Afrikaners not only to question their own identity and privileged position within South Africa, but urged several individuals, groups and organisations to make contact with the ANC. The reason for this was to engage in discussions with the ANC concerning the future of the country, and served as a form of passive resistance against the government. This thesis examines the work of these liberal Afrikaners against the backdrop of the troublesome eighties, and tries furthermore to capture their spirit of resistance.
“Barbed-Wire Boks” : the long shadow of the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand and the United States of America
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Potgieter, Sebastian Johann Shore; Grundlingh, Albert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1981, during the height of apartheid, the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, toured to New Zealand and the United States of America. In South Africa, the tour was expected to reopen the doors to international competition for the Springboks after an anti-apartheid sporting boycott had forced the sport into relative isolation during the 1970s. In the face of much international condemnation, the Springboks toured to New Zealand and the USA in 1981 where they encountered large and often violent demonstrations as those who opposed the tour attempted to scuttle it. For the duration of the tour, New Zealand was plunged into a divisive state of chaos as police and protestors clashed outside heavily fortified rugby stadiums. In South Africa, those bleary-eyed rugby fans who braved the early morning hours to watch the historic live broadcasts of the matches were greeted with extraordinary scenes: rugby fields being combed for glass shards, fishhooks, and nails scattered by anti-tour protestors; a pitch invasion at Hamilton forcing the cancellation of the Springboks’ match against Waikato; and the infamous Auckland test, dubbed the ‘flour-bomb’ test. While the tour matter polarised New Zealanders, there were only minor disruptions during the USA leg of the tour as rugby was still a relatively unknown sport to most Americans. Although the tour events were a rude awakening to many white South Africans on the hostilities abroad towards the apartheid regime, the country’s racist policies remained unyielding. However, the tour had repercussions for South African rugby and reflected how desperate establishment rugby had become to stave off total isolation. While the tour is frequently mentioned in work on the sporting boycott era, it is rarely assigned the significance it deserves. Using hitherto untapped archival material this thesis concerns an in depth discussion on the 1981 tour, what it revealed about South African rugby at the time, and in particular how the tour had a large hand in bringing about South African rugby’s total isolation in the 1980s.
Beyers Naudé 1915-1963 : die vorming van 'n dissidente Afrikaner
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Fourie, Ruhan; Grundlingh, Albert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Beyers Naudé is known for his anti-apartheid theology and activism from the 1960s onwards. Yet, before this activism, he was a minister in die Dutch Reformed Church, member of the Afrikaner Broederbond, and longtime proponent of the policy of apartheid. His deeprootedness in the Afrikaner-establishment gave him a unique position in the struggle against apartheid. This studie attempts to analise this paradoks of Afrikaner and struggle-hero through an in-depth biographical work that investigates the formative years of Beyers Naudé. Thereby it is established how Naudé came to the point where he left the Afrikaner-establishment in 1963. There is a whole corpus of literature about Naudés` struggle years after 1963, most being theological studies. However, this secular studie focuses on the build-up to Naudés` breakaway, which starts at his birth in 1915 and goes up until his last sermon as a DRC-minister in 1963. By utilising a range of archival sources, in conjunction with existing literature on Naudé, his route will carefully be traced through his childhood years (1915-1931), student years (1932-1939), formation as Afrikaner-minister (1940-1954), and eventually how he unmolded from minister to dissident (1955-1963). Dimensions of his earlier life, which was not necessarily political in nature, is examined, and by doing so a more well-rounded image of a ‘young’ Beyer is attempted. From this study it becomes clear that a series of outward-movements beyond of the Afrikaner-establishment brought Naudé to new insights about his convictions, his people, and justice. Change took place over time with certain markers which moved him to a deeper conviction to take a new direction by leaving the Afrikaner-establishment in 1963.
Compliance, compulsion and contest : aspects of military conscription in South Africa, 1952-1992
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007-12) Callister, Graeme; Grundlingh, Albert; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
From 1952 until the ending of apartheid in 1994, South Africa possessed a system of compulsory military service for white males. Until 1967, conscription was not universal and men were selected by ballot to attend military training. From 1967 onwards, all medically fit white South African males were obliged to perform national service, a service which from the mid 1970s often included tours of duty on the border of Angola and South African-occupied Namibia, and later tours of duty in Angola or within the townships of South Africa herself. This thesis looks at aspects of the public reactions to compulsory military service in white South Africa. It traces the evolution of anti-conscription sentiment amongst the white community, juxtaposed with the continued support for compulsory military service that was found in many quarters up until the end of apartheid. It makes a brief examination of the anti-conscription organisations that existed, most notably the End Conscription Campaign, analysing their impact on white society as well as discussing their limitations. The impacts of conscription are also considered, looking at some implications of compulsory military service for the men involved, for society as a whole, and for the Defence Force in which the conscripts served. A thorough examination is also made of the motivations that existed for young men to either acquiesce to or reject military service, taking into account the unique set of circumstances that prevailed in South Africa during the military service era. While South Africa during these years has no direct parallel anywhere else in the world, this thesis briefly discusses South African conscription in an international context, demonstrating, where relevant, the similarities and differences between the South African experience and those of other Western nations, such as Britain, France, Israel and the United States of America. While a reasonable amount of literature and other media exist pertaining to South African conscription, this thesis demonstrates how many of these works are unsatisfactory, and how the topic is in some respects becoming largely misunderstood in both academia and in wider society. The current existence of a number of false beliefs, or myths, about South African conscription is discussed, along with an assessment of how and why these myths were created.
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.
From South Africa to Australia : South African emigration (1976-2008)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Halm, Tamsyn Robyn; Grundlingh, Albert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through the use of South African newspapers, this thesis seeks to understand the waves of South African emigration to Australia between 1976 and 2008. The analysis focusses on political, social and economic factors that created different waves of emigration during this period. The number and groups of South Africans that emigrated will be studied while also painting a broader picture of what lay ahead for them in Australia. The brain drain is a continuous theme in this thesis, as it remains a current global trend. This study also uncovers the various push and pull factors that South Africans encountered and how these factors had a major effect on emigration to Australia. The year 2008 was critical in this regard. Research for this thesis was explicitly based on South African media as a scope to grasp both facts as well as opinions on emigration to Australia.
An historical analysis of aspects of the Black Sash, 1955-2001
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2004-12) Benjamin, Eileen; Grundlingh, Albert; Swart, Sandra; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
In this research the early development of the Black Sash is briefly explored, together with how it altered over time. Changes in the internal structures and its effect on the membership are benchmarked, together with the reasons and reasoning that compelled the organization to undertake a complete restructuring. An in-depth study is made of the disorientation brought about by the collapse of apartheid. Particular attention is paid to the resistance to, and ultimate acceptance of, the inevitability of offering a professionalized service. Attention is focused on the relationship between the Black Sash as a white women’s protest movement and the wider white community, content in the main to support apartheid. The degree to which the Black Sash was accepted by the black community as an equal partner in the struggle for a democratic South Africa is discussed and the criteria by which the organization has been evaluated. In addition, liberalism, per se, is evaluated from a “grassroots” perspective. From 1973, socio-economic developments in the wider society saw many Black Sash members returning to the workplace. This left them with little or no time to offer the organization during formal working hours. In order for the work to continue, paid staff had to be employed to augment the volunteer component. During the 1986 States of Emergency, members of banned organizations joined the Black Sash, and it became an amalgam of different views, generations and political opinion. This represented a significant ontological shift and altered its character in the eyes of the public, but also created internal fissures. The focus of this research is on the response of the Black Sash and its membership to the changing environment in which it was forced to function. By the 1980s, members were finding it difficult to relate to the new protest movements that were rapidly gaining black support and the black on black violence. Ultimately, except for its service arm, namely the advice offices, it emerged as an organization in limbo, appealing neither to the white minority nor the black majority. Women from other race groups, whose membership would have corrected the demographic imbalance, were reluctant to join a predominantly white organization with a tangible camaraderie, built up over the years as a result of members’ shared backgrounds and experiences. This threatened its effectiveness as an advocacy group, and access to the funding that was a vital element in its survival. Structural changes offered the only solution. One of the intentions of this research is to draw attention to the reinvented Black Sash Trust. As a multi-racial, multi-gender, professionalized NGO, managed and staffed by salaried personnel of all age groups, with minimal white volunteer input, it has replaced the two-tiered membership based structure, with a semiprofessional service arm. Having redefined its role and as the end product of slow, almost imperceptible but unavoidable innovations over time, it is developing its own identity, which encompasses much of the original Black Sash ethos.
The location shall be called Kaya Mandi : a history of Kaya Mandi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Rock, David; Grundlingh, Albert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Throughout South Africa there has been a greater emphasis on township history in recent years. However little has been written about the townships of the Western Cape. This research about the history of Kaya Mandi is subsequently one of the first of its kind and provides unique insights into a world that has not garnered much attention. Due to the fact that there has been little research done on the subject, a considerable amount of information was gathered through archival research. Additionally, oral testimonies of individuals who, in some cases, have lived their entire lives in Kaya Mandi have been invaluable. Books, theses and articles were primarily used as guidelines to provide additional context and understanding within the greater picture of South African history. The only exception was the use of the master.s thesis, Bantoegesinne in Kaya Mandi, done by Cornelia Drotske in 1956 which provided information from that period. As a result of this research the history of Kaya Mandi may be regarded as much more complex then had previously been assumed. Kaya Mandi has not just been a passive location in the Western Cape subject to the whims of those in power. Instead, they struggled to maintain their culture and often their very existence. At times this meant a battle between the people and the local government and other times it meant a battle from within, between the different segments of Kaya Mandi itself. Researching the history of Kaya Mandi provided an understanding of how it came to be what it is today. It also gave a deeper comprehension of the current issues and situations facing the people. This is especially important for making informed decisions regarding necessary development and expansion. Overall Kaya Mandi is a microcosm of township life in the Western Cape and the current research has highlighted the complexity of these communities and the necessity for further research.
Pathways to understanding white poverty in South Africa 1902 to 1948
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12) Cowlin, John Richard; Grundlingh, Albert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the social and economic circumstances of descendants of mainly Dutch settlers who became known as the poor whites during the early part of the 20th century. Attention is given to particular aspects of rural pastoral society such as farming methods, education, land usage and demographics. A brief sketch of the South African economy prior to the mineral revolution has been included in order to understand the impact on the poor white of the discovery of diamonds and gold which became a trigger for future industrialisation. The widespread failure of their subsistence pastoral economy led to significant urbanisation mainly on the Witwatersrand. The concerns of the Dutch Reformed Church and later Afrikaner politicians for a solution to the poor white problem led to the establishment of the Carnegie Commission, funded mainly by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. An important aspect of the thesis pertains to the way in which knowledge about the poor whites has been produced. The findings and recommendations of the commission are combined with the opinions of historians, economists and poverty writers and presented as part of this thesis. The manipulation of race theories was initially used to provide a justification for segregation between white and black. Later in the century the poor whites were incorporated into the white middle-class with a combination of preferential employment policies, stricter segregation and inclusion in the Afrikaner Nationalist project. Considerable attention is devoted to the influence of scientific racism and eugenics on the changing nature of race relations during the period under review. The overall conclusion argues that urbanisation and industrialisation provided a suitable environment where the process of inclusion of the poor white into Afrikanerdom could be finally concluded.
The ties that bind : the relationship between politics and cricket in South Africa (1989-1992)
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005-03) Chapman, Aurelia; Grundlingh, Albert; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
South Africa has just celebrated its ten years of democracy. The country’s economic, political and sporting situation is stable. Some would debate this, but for the most part, ten years of democracy has been beneficial for most South Africans. Before 1994, South Africa had endured more than forty years of apartheid. It was a system that governed nearly every facet of life for Black South Africans. Apartheid dictated where one was allowed to live, where one was allowed to go to school and even whom one was allowed to marry. It also used sport to enforce and strengthen the ruling regime. Sport and politics have long been inextricably entangled in South Africa. The history of South African cricket walks alongside that of South Africa’s political history. Sport, and in this case, cricket, reflected South Africa’s political and social processes. South African cricket embraces an ethos that is symbolic of a wider belief system and as such has distinctive political connotations in the region. Sport in South Africa is influenced by forces beyond the sports field, but politics too can be influenced by the social and economic force of sport. This thesis aims to show how cricket not only reflected, but was also able to exert pressure on South Africa’s political situation by focussing on the years 1989-1992. A historical analysis of these years will illustrate how cricket assisted the transformation process in South Africa.

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