“Wees jouself”: Afrikaner kultuurorganisasies in Rhodesië (1934-1980)

Abstract

“Be Yourself”: Afrikaner cultural organizations in Rhodesia (1934- 1980). 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.