A stolen identity:

The Afrikaner identity can be traced back to the 17th century when mixed-race descendants of European settlers, the indigenous Khoikhoi and slaves from Indonesia, Madagascar and India, populated around Roodezand, now known as Tulbagh (Cape Town). https://twitter.com/me_chaela/status/1258999466457268226

Many other mixed-race clans existed, namely:

• Nama
• Basters/Bastards
• Griqua
• Oorlam/Orlam

They’ve occupied land in Cape Town and later migrated inland to escape colonial rule, communities were also established in Namibia.

Oude Ram Afrikaner referred to himself and his descendants as Afrikaners, meaning African.

• Oude Ram (Founding father)

• Klaas

• Jager

• Jonker

• Christian

• Jan

Jan Afrikaner was the 6th and last Captain of the Oorlam people.

Although these clans (Nama, Griqua, Baster and Oorlam) migrated into different parts of South Africa and Namibia, they’ve all shared similar traditions, dress codes, mannerisms etc.

Notable figures include:
Adam Kok
Hendrik Witbooi

It was these clans, along with the Cape Malay, who invented and perfected the Afrikaans language at the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Dutch/Kaaps was frowned upon as it was seen as a “lesser” Dutch.
The language of “Die Hottentot”

During the late 1800’s, the descendants of Dutch settlers could no longer speak pure Dutch. European Imperialism also gained traction in SA and Dutch settlers desperately needed to resist British colonial rule.

As a result, the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners was established.

Whooo whoooo

So basically, foreigners were fighting foreigners for rights to foreign land AND foreigners were also fighting inhabitants for rights to their language and culture.

MESS!!

In an effort to resist British rule, the society sought to:

• Adopt the Afrikaner identity from the Oorlam people, referring to themselves as “Regte Afrikaners”.
Meaning: “True Africans”

• Develop Cape Dutch/Kaaps
• Establish some sort of culture
• Claim land

Think about:

• Braai (the culture of braai’ing)
• Koesisters
• Malva pudding
• Bobotie
• Afrikaans (language)
• Biltong
• Veld skoene

This is a short list of tradition/culture adopted from mixed-race clans.

It’s important to rediscover South Africa’s history, specifically the “Afrikaner”.

I’ve shared a summary of a very complex history and how Afrikaner Nationalism was established through identity theft and culture appropriation.

We should visit the archives if we’re serious about discussing issues such as:

• Marginalization
• Coloured culture/Coloured identity
• Afrikaner Nationalism
• Land Expropriation

Ironically, the four mixed-race clans are marginalized and currently fighting for the

rights to their ancestral land AND preservation of their languages/culture.

A complex and painful history

I’m still learning and rediscovering SA, any referrals are welcome.