Sinvol of Sinister? Die Historiese Genootskap van Suid-Afrika Vyftig Jaar Oud

Abstract

Afrikaans

Die Historiese Genootskap van Suid-Afrika is amptelik in Maart 1956 gestig. By geleentheid van sy goue jubileum, word die Genootskap se geskiedenis in oënskou geneem teen die agtergrond van twee interpretasies wat daaraan geheg is of word. Die stigters en die ondersteuners van die Genootskap is dit eens dat die werk daarvan sinvol was en ʼn werklike bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die vak op verskillende gebiede gelewer het. Kritici, wat veral aan Engelstalige inrigtings verbonde was of is, is krities en beskou die Genootskap as ʼn sinistere beweging met nasionalisties-politieke ondertone en bedoelinge. Hierdie tweeslagtigheid is in werklikheid ʼn inherente deel van die historiese debat in Suid-Afrika tussen Afrikaanse en Engelse historici, tussen wat populêr as ʼn konserwatiewe en ʼn liberale beskouing oor die aard van die Suid-Afrikaanse verlede bestempel word. Hierdie artikel het ten doel om die vraag te beantwoord oor hoe die Genootskap oor die periode van vyftig jaar ontwikkel en verander het. Hoe verteenwoordig die aktiwiteite daarvan die vier funksies van geskiedenis? Wat het die Genootskap bereik? Watter rol het dit gespeel in vergelyking met ander historiese verenigings elders in die wêreld? Die Genootskap was op al vier funksionele gebiede aktief werksaam. In die begin het dit op die bevordering van die onderrig van Geskiedenis op primêre, sekondêre en tersiêre vlak, asook die bevordering van die bewaring en waardering van kulturele en historiese erfenisse gekonsentreer. Die Genootskap is steeds op hierdie terreine aktief, maar spits tans veral aandag toe op die bevordering van ernstige navorsing en die skep van geleenthede vir publikasies. ʼn Aantal onafgehandelde kwessies en sake wat in die toekoms hanteer behoort te word, word ook uitgelig.

English

Meaningful or Sinister? The Historical Association of South Africa 

Fifty Years Old The Historical Association of South Africa was officially founded in March 1956. On the occasion of its golden jubilee, its history is discussed against the background of two interpretations of the Association. The founders and supporters are positive in their appreciation of the meaningful contribution that the Association has made over the years. Others, especially amongst English South Africans, have been very critical of what they regarded as a sinister movement with nationalist-political overtones and intentions. This dichotomy is part and parcel of the traditional debate between Afrikaans and English, conservative and liberal historians, on the nature and meaning of South African history. Using the four basic functions of history in any society, the history of the Historical Association is reconstructed with the aim to address four questions: How did the Association develop and change over time? How does its activities reflect on the functions of history? What has it achieved? How does its role compare with that of history societies in other countries? The Association has been active in respect of all four functions of history. In the beginning it concentrated on the promoting of the teaching of history at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, as well as on promoting an appreciation of cultural heritage and historical preservation. While still active in both of these fields, it is currently focussing primarily on creating opportunities for serious historical research and publications. A number of unresolved issues and matters for future attention are also identified.