“Help ons bou” – Die Daisyfield-inrigting en die impak van sendingwerk en godsdienstige bearbeiding in ‘n weeshuisomgewing in Rhodesië (1910 – 1948)

Abstract

Since the founding of Rhodesia during the last decade of the nineteenth century, many Afrikaner immigrants settled in the country in search of a new life and job opportunities. As a result of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), the devastating effect of natural diseases and to some extent due to subjugation by the British colonial authorities, the majority of these Afrikaners lived in a state of poverty. Subsequently, the prevalence of an increasing number of destitute or parentless children in need of care became a cause of grave concern to the Afrikaner community, especially the Dutch Reformed Church in Rhodesia. Through the initiative of and demand by several Dutch Reformed missionaries and clergy the ideal of educating orphans in a Christian Calvinist environment was realised when the Daisyfield orphanage (later located between Bulawayo and Gwelo) was established on the 30th of January 1911. Between 1910 and 1948 the orphanage gradually developed into a successful and efficacious institution for Afrikaner orphans, in spite of sometimes difficult financial and administrative circumstances. During its existence the institution became a symbol of courage and hardihood for the Afrikaner minority, as well as for the upholding of Afrikaner Christian and cultural values. Apart from focusing on the history of the Daisyfield institution, this article also seeks to address and discuss the inherent influence of the Dutch Reformed missionaries and clergy on the instilment of religious education in an orphan environment.