’n Psigo-biografiese Studie van Generaal J.H. de la Rey en sy Ervaring van die Anglo-Boereoorlog

Abstract

Afrikaans

Waar werke van biografiese aard oor generaal J.H. de la Rey hoofsaaklik op sy militêre optrede en suksesse tydens die Anglo-Boereoorlog konsentreer, word daar hier na die sielkundige dryfkragte agter sy handelings gekyk. ’n Oorsig oor die sielkundige teorieë van stres en stressors, algemene weerstandsbronne (GRRs), die bemeestering van stres, die begrippe salutogenesis en fortigenesis, asook die kernbegrip van “sin van samehang” (SOC), word ter aanvang gegee. Daarna word De la Rey se funksionering tydens die oorlog uit drie hoeke bekyk: eerstens as man en gesinsmens, waar die ondersteunende rol van sy vrou, Nonnie, duidelik as GRR van eksterne-psigiese aard na vore kom. Vervolgens word sy vaardigheid as kryger en strateeg bespreek. Die breë basis van die wye verskeidenheid van GRRs waaroor De la Rey beskik het, lei daartoe dat hy as ’n individu met ’n strek SOC bestempel kan word, wat coping bevorder het. Laastens word daar na De la Rey as ’n leier met insig gekyk. Die slotsom waartoe die studie lei, dui daarop dat sy sterk sin van samehang en die onderskraging van sy vrou die twee belangrikste steunpilare was waarop sy sukses berus het.

English

A Psycho-Biographical Study of General J.H. de la Rey and his Experience of the Anglo-Boer War 

Whereas writings of a biographical nature about General J.H. de la Rey normally deal with his military actions and achievements during the Anglo-Boer War, this study examines the psychological factors behind his successes. The psychological theories of stress and stressors, general resistance resources (GRRs), coping with stress, the concepts of salutogenesis and fortigenesis, as well as of the fundamental conception “sense of coherence” (SOC) are outlined. Thereafter De la Rey’s accomplishments during the Anglo-Boer War are considered from three angles. First of all as an individual and family man, where the external psychological support that he received from his wife, Nonnie, clearly stands out. Next his ability as a soldier and strategist is discussed. The broad base created by the variety of GRRs on which De la Rey could rely, made it possible for him to be a man with a strong SOC. Finally the depth and insight of his leadership is examined. The study leads to the conclusion that his strong sense of coherence and the support from his wife were the two mainstays of his accomplishment as a great general.