Die “Stem van Potchefstroom”– ’n Terugskouing oor die Beeld van die PUK as Universiteit in die Suid-Afrikaanse Samelewing, 1951-2003

Abstract

Afrikaans

Voor en sedert die selfstandigwording van die Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys (PU vir CHO / PUK, tans deel van ’n groter inrigting bekend as die Noordwes-Universiteit) in 1951 as universiteit met ’n unieke karakter in Suid-Afrika, was die Universiteit dikwels in die spervuur oor van sy beginsels, die politieke uitsprake van intellektueles uit sy geledere en die waterskeidingsrol van sommige oudPukke binne die Suid-Afrikaanse politieke bestel. Na veral hierdie stem is heel dikwels verwys as die “stem van Potchefstroom”. Genoegsame voorbeelde is in die artikel uitgewys om hierdie stem te eien as ’n stem met profetiese ondertone wat koers in Suid-Afrika help aandui het. Weliswaar was hierdie stem soms gesetel in individuele prominente fluisteringe wat inderdaad mettertyd meer hoorbaar geword het en meer mense tot ’n groter betrokkenheid teen ongeregtighede gemobiliseer het. Met meer ruimte sou die artikel ook kon uitwys dat ’n instansie soos die PUK se stem nooit net sosio-polities was nie, maar ook ewe prominent op ander terreine soos gemeenskapsdiens, die akademie (navorsing wat uitgeloop het op besondere praktykgedrewe ontwikkelinge en toepassings), asook die grondslaglegging van etlike kultuuraktiwiteite waarvoor die PUK wyd bekend is, gehoor kon word. 

English

The “Voice of Potchefstroom”– A Survey of the PUK as University in South African Society, 1951-2004

Before and after the independence of the Potchefstroom University of Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE / PUK, currently part of a larger institution known as the North West University) in 1951 as a university of unique character in South Africa, the PUK frequently was under fire because of its principles, the socio-political judgments of its intellectuals and the watershed role of some alumni within the South African political system. This voice was frequently referred to as the “voice of Potchefstroom”. Ample examples were provided in this article to prove that this voice in essence was prophetic by nature, as well as being a trendsetter in South Africa. It is true though that this voice sometimes characterised itself only in individual, though prominent whisperings, which eventually became louder and mobilized more people to become involved in actions against injustice to a larger extent. Due to limitations of length, this article was not able to illustrate how the voice of the PUK never comprised of a socio-political nature only, but was equally prominent in other fields such as community services, the academy (research that culminated in extraordinary practically applicable developments) and cultural activities for which the University is widely known, as is indeed the case.