Taal, kultuur en ontspanning: Die rol van die AlgemeenNederlands Verbond in Kaapstad, 1995-2008

Abstract

The Algemeen-Nederlands Verbond (“General Dutch Union”), an international society for the promotion of the Dutch language and culture, has been active in South Africa since its foundation in 1895, and a branch of this organisation has existed in Cape Town since 1908. The article discusses the activities of the Algemeen-Nederlands Verbond in Cape Town from 1995 until February 2008. Although some Afrikaans speakers and a few people of Flemish origin belong to the Cape Town branch, most members are Dutch immigrants. The Cape Town branch has always concerned itself with the development of a Dutch library, today the largest collection of Dutch books in the southern hemisphere. In 2004 the Algemeen-Nederlands Verbond transferred the ownership of the library to another organisation, the Huis der Nederlanden (“House of the Netherlands”), mainly because of financial problems. The Algemeen-Nederlands Verbond in Cape Town has been active in promoting Dutch culture in various ways, inter alia, by organising fairs and festivals with a Dutch character, such as the traditional Saint Nicholas festival.