Theses and Dissertations (Historical and Heritage Studies)

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Sechaba as mondstuk in die ANC se stryd teen blanke oorheersing, 1967-1989
(University of Pretoria, 1992) Grobler, Jackie; Stals, Willem Adriaan; Jacobs, Johan
After the ANC was banned in 1960 and was thus forced to move underground, the organisation's leadership in exile realised that a propaganda and communication organ had to be launched as matter of priority. This realisation was founded on the belief that a propaganda mouthpiece played an important role in any liberation movement's endeavours. The result of this was the launching of a monthly journal called Sechaba (or "nation" in the Sotho language) during January 1967. The journal was internationally recognised as the ANC's official mouthpiece. The last issue of Sechaba was published in December 1990. From the start, Sechaba experienced practical problems. The most important of these were that it was printed in the former German Democratic Republic (far removed from the situation in South Africa) and that the ANC constantly experienced financial difficulties. It can be stated that in style, content and composition Sechaba exhibited all the characteristics of traditional propaganda. Sechaba was thus a typical propaganda journal. It was originally envisaged that Sechaba would represent the international voice of the ANC. In this regard, the journal played an important role in the campaign to isolate South Africa. Political developments in South Africa during the seventies forced the ANC to shift the focus of Sechaba to South Africa's domestic audience. This created new challenges but also further problems for the ANC - especially since that meant that more copies of the journal had to be smuggled into South Africa. This problem was solved satisfactorily. In South Africa Sechaba was used, amongst other things, to canvass support for the ANC among the youth, students and women. This was done by harping on themes such as black nationalism and black theology. The journal was also used to propagate campaigns (one of which was the campaign to popularise the Freedom Charter), to introduce to South Africans the strategy and aims of the ANC and to analyse the system of apartheid and Afrikaners in general. In the ANC's, as well as Sechaba 's own estimation, the journal accomplished the tasks that it was launched to address. No scientific methods are available to test these statements. It can, however, be stated that there is evidence to show that the ANC's claims are not totally groundless. The fact that Sechaba was the best known source of propaganda among those of all the liberation movements operating in South Africa is but one example of this. It may therefore be stated that the ANC used its official organ, Sechaba, with reasonable success in its fight against white supremacy.
Race and gender discourse in the South African Lady’s Pictorial and Home Journal and selected books reviewed (1911-1919)
(University of Pretoria, 2017-08) Kriel, Lize; Sandwith, Corinne; isabella.swart@up.ac.za; Venter, Isabella Jacoba
This study seeks to explore the relationship between gender and race within South Africa during the period between January 1911 and December 1919, when gender and race related rights were in flux. It focuses specifically on the social construct of gender amongst white English-speaking South African women and how the discourse on gender interrelated with the discourse on race and race relations in South Africa during this period. The relationship between gender and race is analysed by focusing on The South African Lady’s Pictorial and Home Journal, a women’s magazine published in South Africa (1910-1936). Additionally, texts external but related to the magazine, namely 35 of the books reviewed in the magazine, are analysed. Thereby the gender and race discourse identified and analysed in the reviewed books is linked to the discourse that circulated in the magazine to gain insight into how these had changed over the ten-year period. As a literary analysis the study views portrayals of gender and race not as a reflection of reality but rather as social constructs. These discourses are viewed as constructed in reaction to certain changing power relations within their socio-historical context. The aim is to identify trends and changes in the discourses of race and gender and to identify possible relationships between them.
The past is a destination : outlander and film tourism at historical heritage sites
(University of Pretoria, 2023-10-08) Harris, Karen Leigh; charlene.herselman@up.ac.za; Herselman, Charlene
This thesis investigates the impact of tourism on historical heritage sites when filming and concomitant film-associated tourism occurs there. It argues that film tourism is one of the most influential sectors in the tourism industry, which has witnessed a shift from mass, organised tourist packages towards a more specialised niche approach. The thesis critically evaluates the field of film tourism and the intersections between popular culture, literature, history, heritage and tourism. It examines the history and value of film tourism, the impact of film tourism on destination image, the film tourist profile, and the cultural value of film tourism. This phenomenon is then illustrated through a case study: the 'Outlander' (2014–) television series and its impact on historical heritage sites in Scotland. The findings suggests the creation of a new niche nexus in tourism, ‘History, Heritage, Literary and Film Tourism (HHLFT)’, to demonstrate the inseparable nature between these related fields.
Sinking Seychelles : tourism to the rescue?
(University of Pretoria, 11-07-2024) Botha, Christoffel; u18192247@tuks.co.za; Sieber, Nina Raine
In the fight against the international climate crisis, the opinions of small island nation states echo with a unique resonance. These islands, though small in size, and often marginalised in earth’s oceans, are bearing witness to the massive impacts of climate change first-hand, standing often times alone and vulnerable against the rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecological disturbances that threaten their very existence. As the world wrestles with the urgent need for sustainable solutions, it is important to listen to the insights and experiences of these small island nations and how they have gone about preparing to “accommodate” climate change and global warming into their economies and day-to-day lives. The climate crisis in recent years has become an urgent global concern, necessitating creative and sustainable solutions to mitigate its widespread and ever-evolving effects. Amidst this backdrop, the tourism industry it was found holds immense potential to drive positive change in the wake of this contemporary crisis affecting both the global North and South. This dissertation sets forth to consider tourism against this backdrop of climate change crisis, and questions if the former can be adapted or positioned to combat the latter, if at all possible. This dissertation will utilise the Seychelles as the primary case study to this investigation to test this hypothesis. In this context theoretical and practical frameworks for climate change and tourism will be devised and then applied to the indicated island nation state. This study aims to recommend various ways in which the Seychelles can off-set its designation as a “sinking nation” by situating tourism, potentially, at the helm of the island nation’s economy to combat climate change.
Curating a Counter-Archive : a historical examination of South African film festivals
(University of Pretoria, 2024-07-03) Paleker, Gairoonisa; justinebinedell@gmail.com; Binedell, Justine Paige
Film festivals globally are at the nexus of cinema, academic discourse and the cinema-viewing public. The structural framework of a festival allows multiple forms of engagement and development to take place, using discussion forums, curated film programmes and audience participation to drive this experience. The history of South African film festivals is an under-researched area of historical scholarship lacking a comparative historical analysis of the major festivals that were shaped and influenced by South African society from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. This study therefore aims to apply the established research on film festival frameworks to a South African context to examine how South African film festivals facilitated the shaping and evolution of the South African film canon. Film festivals such as the Durban International Film Festival, the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival, the former Weekly Mail Film Festival and the Sithengi Film and Television Market and by extension the Cape Town World Cinema Festival provide a new visual repository for scholarly research. These events in a South African context act as alternative spaces and document a history of changing cinema culture, narrative, political agendas, and audience demographics. Subversion, resistance, representation and development are focal elements in evaluating how South African film festivals function as alternative or counter-archives, providing information that adds to and fills the lacunae in traditional archives. This study proposes that, to understand the current operational practices of South African film festivals, an understanding of the history of restrictions regionally and nationally regarding films and public spaces is necessary.
Die geskiedenis van die staatsargiefwese in Suid-Afrika, 1876-1910
(University of Pretoria, 1993) Stals, Willem Adriaan; De Wet, G.C.; Myburgh, Pieter Abraham
Afrikaans: Sedert Jan van Riebeeck se vestiging van 'n verversingspos aan die Kaap en die gepaardgaande daarstelling van 'n regeringstelsel in 1652, tot die aanstelling van die kommissie van ondersoek na die argiewe van die Kaapkolonie deur die Kaapse Goewerneur, sir Henry Barkly op 1 7 Julie 1876, was daar in die Kaapkolonie geen formele beheer oor die argiewe van die Kolonie nie. Tot op daardie stadium was die begrip "argiewe" nog nie gedefinieer nie en geen argiewe dus as sodanig ge1dentifiseer nie. Dit was ten spyte daarvan dat daar reeds die afgeslote amptelike dokumente van drie voormalige regerings tot 1806 was waarvan die grootste gedeelte in 'n versameling byeengebring en tot 1876 hoofsaaklik die verantwoordelikheid van die Kantoor van die Koloniale Sekretaris was. Bui te die Kaapkolonie was die si tuasie in soverre dit argiewe betref, niks beter nie. In Natal, die Republiek van die Oranje-Vrystaat en die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek was elke staatsdepartement verantwoordelik vir die bewaring en versorging van sy eie dokumente en was die begrip "argiewe" soos di t sedert 1876 in die Kaapkolonie gebruik is, onbekend. Die kommissie van 1876 het die argiewe van die Kaapkolonie, gedefinieer, ge1dentifiseer, versamel, in 'n inventaris laat beskryf en reelings vir die bewaring daarvan getref. Daarna het die Kaapse Regering die inisiatief geneem met verskeie projekte van bronnenavorsing en -publikasie tot en met 1905. Daar was John Noble se ondersoek in 1879 en D. Erskine se bronnenavorsing tussen 1880 en 1885 in Landen, asook G. M. Theal se bronnenavorsing en -publikasie tussen 1880 en 1905 en A. Wilmot se besoeke aan Europa en OosAfrika in 1895 en 1904. Die Regering het oak twee argivarisse aangestel, nl. G.M. Theal (1879-1881) en H.C.V. Leibbrandt ( 1881-1908). In 1905 en 1908 is Theal wat met bronnenavorsing en -publikasie in Leibbrandt, Koloniale Argi var is, Europa besig onderskeidelik was en a.g.v. finansiele besparing van owerheidswee, op pensioen geplaas. Die bronnenavorsing en -publikasies het tot 191 0 nie weer van regeringswee aandag gekry nie. Wat die argiewe betref, is die finansiele probleme oorkom deur 'n kommissie van kundiges gedurende 1909 aan te stel wat sander enige vergoeding na die argiewe sou omsien. In die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek is daar van 'n "argief" en "argiewe" gepraat, maar dit was bloat sinonieme vir bewaarlokale en staatsdokumentasie wat ook as "minuten", "oude stukken" en "documenten" beskryf is. Hoewel daar reeds in 1884 daadwerklik begin is om die dokumentasie van die staatsekretaris van die vroegste datum af te orden en te indekseer, daarna ook nog aandag aan die indeksering van huwelikssertifikate gegee is en daar selfs 'n argivaris in 1899 aangestel is, was daar Afrikaansche Republiek nooit soos in die Kaapkolonie nie. tot 1900 in 'n volwaardige Na die Bri tse die Zuidargiefdiens inname van Pretoria in 1900 moes daar vir doeleindes van raadpleging, beheer verkry word oor die staatsdokumentasie van die ZuidAfrikaansche Republiek en is 'n argiefdiens in die proses ingestel om die diens te lewer. Hierdie funksie het voortgegaan tot en met Uniewording in 1910. In die Republiek van die Oranje-Vrystaat was daar geen argieffunksie nie. Die betrokke staatsdepartemente het self na hulle dokumente omgesien. Na die Vrede van Vereeniging in 1902 het die nuwe regering die argiewe van die voormalige Bibliotekaris regering van onder die beheer gekry deur die Staatsbiblioteek daarvoor verantwoordelik te maak. Hierdie reeling is in 1908 gestaak toe die argiewe na die Klerk van die Wetgewende Vergadering oorgeplaas is. In die kolonie van Natal was daar tot 1910 geen argieffunksie nie.
Looking to the past to travel in the future : post pandemic tourism
(University of Pretoria, 2024-02-13) Harris, Karen Leigh; tanitam393@gmail.com; McCullough, Tanita Cyrielle
Considering the historical background of pandemics, global pandemics have played an enormous role in shaping the tourism landscape. This dissertation intends to improve understanding of the impact of pandemics on tourism by bringing together crisis responses from stakeholders in the 20th and 21st centuries. It examines historical pandemics from the Spanish influenza (1918), till COVID-19 (2019) to compare and identify policy effectiveness trends. Emphasis is placed on the importance of tourism in global economies and post-disaster recovery. In considering the global impact of pandemics on tourism international travel, especially nowadays, are severely restricted during pandemics. Tourism-dependent countries are concerned about these disturbances as it leads to a fall in international travel that exacerbated economic problems, especially in developing nations. The research adopts a forward-looking approach which tries to illuminate historical policy triumphs and failures to inform future efforts. It draws together aspects from policymakers and stakeholders and strives to build a more resilient and adaptable economy that emphasises a need for post-COVID-19 landscape analysis, particularly in severely affected countries. Various government interventions are looked at and conclusions are drawn from both successful and failing methods that could highlight key indicators to assist government with economic recovery. Finally, the research critiques government responses and suggests ways to improve them to help policymakers prepare for future crises and to make global tourism resilient and adaptable post-COVID-19.
Dancing the night away : a history of Johannesburg’s social dancing worlds, 1920s to 1950s
(University of Pretoria, 2024) Harris, Karen Leigh; alida.green@up.ac.za; Green, Alida Maria
This doctoral study uses social dance as a lens to reflect on race relations and class divisions in the greater Johannesburg region. It offers a new perspective by exploring why and how communities chose and recreated popular social dances from the global West to suit their restrictive local social circumstances. It explores a critical half century in the South African past, 1920s to 1950s, a time when segregation predominated, and apartheid was pending which influenced every aspect of life. By 1928 Johannesburg was the major city in South Africa and on its periphery, it had three of South Africa’s largest townships allocated for people designated as black. It also had an expanding entertainment hub including palais de danse, dance halls and a number of teachers who taught the latest dance trends from abroad. This study explores how imported social dances were integrated into the new culture of white and black middle-class elite. Using alternate and underexplored sources this research reflects on why members across the spectrum of South African society could and wanted to dance and how they recreated their dancing world to be sustainable in their restrained and restricted environment.
En-route with the hidden figures of classical music : a female note (1750 - 1830)
(University of Pretoria, 2023-12-14) Botha, C.R.; noelienwilsnach@gmail.com; Wilsnach, Noelien
The contributions of female musicians, performers and composers of the eighteenth century are often overlooked by modern historians, archivists and heritage practitioners, especially as it pertains to the formulation, development and growth of the Classical genre of music between “1750 – 1830”. Yet, it could be argued that the presence of eighteenth century women in Classical music discussions and debates could influence various contemporary conversations especially when this theme is considered from a novel touristic point of view. This study sets forth to consider the milieus of Classical music tourism and crossborder cultural route development across the European sub-continent, with a particular emphasis on twenty identified “hidden figures of Classical music”. This dissertation by way of a newly developed and originally created female-oriented musical pilgrimage will also consider the notions of women’s empowerment and gender equality as well as how heritage and cultural tourists can engage with and explore the legacies of these often forgotten and ignored musically inclined females of Classical music; “en-route” on their travels across Austria, Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
The Mancunians at war : a new military history of the Manchester Battalions during the South African War, 1899-1902
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Macqueen, Ian; dawid.mouton@up.ac.za; Mouton, Dawid J.
This thesis investigates the experiences of British soldiers during the South African War (1899 – 1902), from the perspective of the Manchester Regiment, as a subset of New Military History. To reconstruct their experiences, the dissertation draws on letters, diaries, and other documents in the Manchester Regiment Archive, and the large but underutilised source of soldiers’ letters published in British newspapers. The latter is the main origin of the Manchesters’ ‘voices’. This thesis represents the first in-depth application of the systematic, thematic-chronological approach to a single British regiment during the South African War. It begins with the send-off from Manchester and the journey to South Africa. Once in South Africa, their dichotomous perceptions of the environment and its people are explored. The research demonstrates how the Manchesters quickly resorted to looting, especially to supplement insufficient rations, before the ‘scorched earth’ phase of the war. Life on campaign was dominated by duties and associated drudgeries, especially marching, insufficient hygiene, and lack of sleep. To cope with the various discomforts, the Manchesters distracted themselves through various methods, such as sports. Death and danger, however, was always close. On occasion the Manchesters engaged the enemy in battle and skirmishes, although the Boers proved a frustrating enemy to fight, often well-hidden and rarely stood their ground. Illness, especially typhoid, was the other far more dangerous threat. One of the key factors in almost all of the Manchesters’ experiences was the influence of the environment they campaigned in, which although beautiful, was also the source of much of their challenges. The Manchesters adapted, but in the process, the distinction between the professional British soldier and the militia-based enemy began to be blurred.
”Model native townships” in Suid-Afrika : “the pinnacle of perfection”? ʼn historiese evaluering, ca. 1900’s-1940’s
(University of Pretoria, 2023-10) Harris, Karen Leigh; karina.sevenhuysen@up.ac.za; Sevenhuysen, Katharina
The “model native township”-phenomenon with its embodiment in a number of black urban townships in South Africa during the first half of the 20th century is the focus of this study and is investigated from a historical evaluation perspective. The contemporary description of these residential areas as the “pinnacle of perfection” in terms of the theoretical-technical prescriptions and standards for the provision of black urban housing, and how this was realised in practice in the black township of Atteridgeville in Pretoria, is assessed through the use of contemporary criteria. The theoretical, contextual and conceptual framework in which this research took place relies on the concepts of modernism, the British welfare-state idea, and the sanitation syndrome which underlie the idea of model housing conditions for the working class during the first half of the 20th century. In the multiple nuanced meanings of the concepts paternalism and segregation, the establishment of “ideal” black urban living conditions in South Africa took place on a racial basis. Town planners and architects visualised and designed model black townships. The practical reality of the financial burden on local urban authorities and the weak economic position of the black inhabitants, amidst the challenging war (1939-1945) years, undermined these idealistic plans. Model black townships were not the “best” that had ever been established, but they were better than existing slum areas. The methodological lens that was used to investigate this phenomenon, is founded on established historical research principles, augmented by contributions from a range of relevant disciplines. The critical analysis of source material; the use of both a class and race analysis and explanatory model; and the necessity of postmodern questioning was applied. Research about housing — a “real life” topic that investigates the true, complex human reality — demanded an interdisciplinary, and even a transdisciplinary approach. Historical comparative methodologies were applied where Atteridgeville was compared with contemporary housing criteria. The emphasis on the complex and intricate nature of this topic also necessitated the use of visual elements. Above all, the establishment of historical understanding, utilising nuanced and empathetic engagement with the past, its people and the structural (township) heritage, was necessitated in order to make balanced and accountable historical evaluations.
Zimbabwean cross border women traders : popular perceptions and scholarly discourse 2000-2020
(University of Pretoria, 2023-12-01) Mlambo, Alois S.; Nyamunda, Tinashe; kudzai.nherera@gmail.com; Nherera, Kudzai Varaidzo
This study focuses on popular and scholarly perceptions of Zimbabwean Cross Border women traders from 2000 -2020 by highlighting the experiences of Zimbabwean women who engage in informal cross-border trade between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Informal cross-border trade involves the exchange of goods and services outside formal channels and is often crucial to the livelihoods of those involved. The research investigates whether and how participation in informal cross-border trade empowers these women by exploring the motivations driving the women to engage in cross-border trading. These include limited formal employment opportunities, the potential for higher income, and the desire to support their families. It examines the impact of the trade on the women’s sense of agency, control over their economic circumstances, and the ability to make decisions for themselves and their families. The study is a qualitative study of scholarly perceptions that analyses article publications from academics such as Gaidzanwa, Muzvidziwa, and Ndlela. The study also reviews popular perceptions from media houses such as eNCA, The Herald, and New Zimbabwe. This multifaceted approach helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the traders' experiences. The study delves into the strategies these women use to cope with the challenges they encounter. These include building support networks in the form of the Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders Association (ZCBTA), developing business acumen, and finding ways to mitigate risks. The study briefly discusses the broader economic and social impacts of women's informal cross-border trade, such as its contribution to economic growth, poverty reduction, and gender dynamics within communities. It uncovers the various challenges faced by Zimbabwean informal cross-border traders by detailing their perceived plight or agency. These challenges include navigating complex customs regulations, dealing with border officials, coping with harassment or bribery, and enduring long waits and administrative hassles. Based on the findings, the study observes the conditions for Zimbabwean women informal cross-border traders. The study notes that by enhancing infrastructure and services at border posts, addressing gender-specific challenges, and creating supportive regulatory frameworks it can better improve the lives of cross border traders.
A history of the Nigerian federal government’s national tourism governance system 1962 - 2006
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Mlambo, Alois S.; Nyamunda, Tinashe; u20798882@tuks.co.za; Uwagboe, Osariemen Osunde
This study explores the history of governance institutions and policies of the Nigerian Federal Government from the country’s independence in 1960 until 2006 a topic, hitherto, not subjected to scholarly historical analysis. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, Nigeria possesses immense potential for tourism development. However, despite its potential, the Nigerian tourism industry has struggled to generate substantial revenue since independence because of a number of challenges, including almost continuous instability arising from several military coups and the periodic episodes of military rule. Political instability discouraged international visitors as they deemed the country unsafe. Despite these challenges, successive administrations made efforts to promote the tourism sector by establishing governance institutions and policies conducive to the development of the sector. This study examines these measures, focusing mostly on the origins and development of the various supervisory structures responsible for overseeing the Nigerian tourism industry in the period under study. It examines the legal framework governing the creation and operations of these structures, providing essential insights into their formation and operations. Furthermore, the study analyses the contributions of these administrative bodies to the overall development of the tourism sector. Apart from the already noted political instability, the sector also suffered from inadequate infrastructure and security concerns to marketing and promotion issues. The study, thus, also analyses the role of successive administrative structures in addressing these challenges and in regulating, governing, and promoting tourism within Nigeria. The work examines the Nigerian experience also in the context of developments in other African countries facing similar challenges and their efforts to attract tourists and investors. The study, thus, seeks to fill a critical gap in the understanding of the Nigerian Federal Government's tourism governance structures and initiatives by providing the historical context of the evolution of successive governing structures, evaluating their contributions to the industry's development, and identifying key challenges that have hindered the sector's growth. It also offers policymakers and stakeholders valuable insights into potential strategies to unlock the full potential of Nigeria's tourism industry.
The United Nations and apartheid : a source appraisal (1946-1976)
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Simpson, Thula; Mlambo, Alois S.; diva1014@gmail.com; Goolam Mahomed, Nusrat
Apartheid is a system of racial classification unlike no other that existed in South Africa from 1948-1994. Before apartheid, South Africa had long practised racial discrimination. Indeed, at its very first meeting in 1946, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (GA) had deliberated on South Africa’s unequal racial policies but to no avail. In 1960, the Security Council (SC) then took matters into its own hands after the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, but still not much progress was made in addressing South Africa’s racial policies. The Western powers, specifically the United States of America (US), United Kingdom (UK) and France, were allies of the apartheid government and opposed direct measures against the racist regime. However, in the 1960s, each Western power began to confront South Africa in its own way. Even then, the UN made little headway. For instance, the Afro-Asian bloc, supported by the Soviets and Latin America, could not pressure the Western states into expelling South Africa from the UN until 1973, when the GA finally expelled the South Africa delegation. After the Soweto Riots in 1976 more changes occurred in the UN’s position on and approach to the apartheid question than had been achieved in the previous decades and more pressure was brought to bear on South Africa. In the end, however, the UN proved to be a rather limited partner in the fight against apartheid by 1976.
The novel poor white problem : South Africa and the American South in comparison 1850-1950
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Harris, Karen Leigh; sianevep@gmail.com; Pretorius-Nel, Sian Eve
Poor whites are not solely limited to one single country and neither was the poor-white problem. As such poor whites lend themselves to comparative study, and in this case South Africa (SA) and the American South (AS). These regions share a number of similarities with regards to their respective histories. However, it is the tenet of this thesis that historical sources can be augmented by novels to produce a nuanced understanding of the history and everyday lives of the poor whites. Novels, especially those from the Realism genre, have been proven to be a valuable source where there exists little to no information on a topic of a fringe community generated by themselves. Realism novels were used to not only give voice to the marginalised, but to also reveal the daily lives and everyday thoughts of the poor whites themselves. This study compares the histories of the poor whites in both South Africa and the American South and reveals that the Carnegie Commission was an important link between the two countries and their respective poor-white problems. Different aspects and themes in the histories of these two countries are placed side by side for comparative analysis. The different Movements the novels fall into, as well as the novelist and the period they lived in are examined and compared to create a better understanding of the period, context, genre and topic. The different definitions and types of poor whites reveal a number of differences and similarities regarding the poor whites. The causes that led to poor whitism are examined and reveal different outlooks and solutions, but also similar circumstances. Lastly the beliefs (religions and superstitions) of the poor whites, as well as the perceptions surrounding poor whites and their perceptions of “others” are considered and compared. The last chapters are instrumental in revealing the importance the novels play as primary sources with regards to the thoughts and inside story of the poor whites, by adding a “real” and “human dimension” to the existing histories.
Meddling Mendel : Jewish immigrant, NP member and detainee attorney (1911 - 2001)
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Harris, Karen Leigh; robynschnell@gmail.com; Schnell, Robyn
This study constructs the biography of an individual as a fragmented subject, Mendel Levin. Mendel Levin was a Latvian-born Jewish immigrant who arrived in South Africa in 1921. He practised as an attorney and represented political detainees and anti-apartheid activists in the late 1960s. He was a staunch supporter and proud member of the National Party. Additionally, he had a record of unlawful behaviour and collusion with the security police during the heyday of the apartheid era. This dissertation utilises Mendel Levin’s biography as a lens through which the social, political and historical landscape of twentieth century South Africa can be viewed. Furthermore, through this biography, a new light is cast on the dubious and underhanded dealings of the Nationalist government during the height of the apartheid regime. The character, life and career of Mendel Levin flies in the face of the accepted narratives and stereotypes of South African Jewish history. Throughout this study, Mendel Levin proves without fail that the exception is not necessarily the rule as he consistently upended accepted norms and standards suggesting a new narrative for an individual with numerous devious and divergent dimensions.
Die "arm-blanke" verskynsel in die Suid-Afrikaanse-Republiek tussen die jare 1882 en 1899 : 'n sosiaal-historiese studie
(University of Pretoria, 1937) Pelzer, Adriaan Nicolaas Petrus
Migration in an 'Age of Uncertainty' : the creation of a Polish community in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa (1980-1989)
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Macqueen, Ian; michaelavaningenkal98@gmail.com; Van Ingen-Kal, Michaela
This thesis analyses Polish migration to South Africa, specifically the wave of migrants who came to South Africa during the 1980s. Everett Lee’s theory of migration is used as a framework to analyse this phenomenon. This thesis analyses the context of 1980s Poland and highlights the circumstances which would constitute the “push” factors for Poles. Similarly, the South African context of the 1980s is analysed to discover the “pull” factors for Poles to South Africa. It may seem counterintuitive that South Africa would have any pull factors for Poles wanting to escape the tumultuous reality of Poland, as the South African situation was even more turbulent. However, a very specific set of circumstances in South Africa made the country, and especially the Vaal Triangle, attractive for Poles. These circumstances were those surrounding the South African industrial sector. There was a severe skilled labour shortage due to the black workforce being mostly unskilled or semiskilled, a direct result of Bantu education. South Africa needed white skilled workers, to both supplement the industrial workforce and to increase the number of the ruling white minority. This thesis examines the Polish expatriate community which sprung up in the Vaal Triangle due to these circumstances and discusses the role of religion in consolidating this community, as well as the impact of this community on the surrounding area, and their personal experiences of South Africa during the 1980s.
The great storm of South Africa’s liberation struggle : bridging the gap between APLA and post-apartheid public & collective memory
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Ncube, Glen; odeeka1@gmail.com; Dlanga, Olwethu
The post-apartheid liberation historiography has been constructed and curated in a way that influences public and collective memory to assume that only one liberation movement (the African National Congress) was involved in the South African liberation struggle. The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and its armed wing, the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA), have largely been given perfunctory attention or totally ignored because of the selective politics of memory. In instances where the history of APLA and/or the PAC is given full attention, the focus has been on the leadership conflicts within it, at the expense of interrogating other important aspects within the movement. This thesis is a critical analysis of how public collective memory of post-apartheid South Africa has been curated, and it unpacks how victorious formations such as the ANC government have sought to entrench their political dominance by creating a skewed liberation narrative. This thesis further argues that this is related to the politico-philosophical inclinations of the dominant narrative that is hellbent on placing in the fringes radical ideas that are seen to have a potential of challenging the status quo. The thesis narrates the development of APLA, mapping its roots from the 1940’s confrontational spirit of African Nationalism to the establishment of the PAC in 1959. It then shows that the prohibition of PAC in 1960 led to it being overtly operated as Poqo – not that Poqo was a military wing of the PAC. This thesis dispels this notion by proving that PAC is Poqo. Furthermore, this thesis presents some of the major military activities of the PAC up until the ‘establishment’ of APLA in 1968 by the Africanist Task Force, which was the real paramilitary formation of the PAC before APLA. Although the thesis extensively discusses APLA interchangeably with the PAC, in the main chapters it delves into APLA operations and the experiences of cadres from exile through ‘return’ home and their post-apartheid integration and experiences within the new South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and their communities.
The South African War and Afrikaner nationalism in Afrikaans-language films and television : changing representations circa 1930s - 2000s
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Paleker, Gairoonisa; dommieverkerk@gmail.com; Verkerk, Domonique-Marie
The South African War is an important historical event for Afrikaners, not only because of the suffering endured, but also for how the war came to symbolise Afrikaner identity and ethno-nationalism. The South African War is central to Afrikaner beliefs and conceptions of the Afrikaner volk, or nation, its sense of belonging in South Africa, its sense of self and divine mission. Afrikaner perceptions of the war, its causes and consequences have influenced and continue to infuse a specific group identity, as well as an ethno-nationalism that eventually witnessed the political, economic and cultural growth that also fed into the problematic apartheid project. This research focuses on Afrikaans-language films and series produced from the 1930s to the first decades of the 21st century, focusing on representations of the South African War, either as a topic or as a backdrop to the filmic narrative. The films are analysed as sites of memory of the war, its causes, and consequences. As such sites, these films have played an important role in nurturing and sustaining Afrikaner identity and ethno-nationalism, in which the war has been framed as a liberatory war for the very survival of the Afrikaner nation. The war and group memories of the war can be seen to have ignited not only group survival against the mighty British empire, but also provided impetus for the political triumph of Afrikaner nationalism as the bedrock of the apartheid project. As such, the films analysed in this research function as filmic memorials of specific historical moments and personalities. As filmic memorials, these films recall and commemorate a traumatic past in service of a specific ethno-nationalist and political agenda using a range of narrative devices and tropes. Some of these tropes, such as, the volksmoeder, Afrikaner myths of origin and belonging and the importance of land are also critical to iterations of ethno-nationalism throughout the twentieth and into the twenty-first centuries.

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