Karel de Beer

BAREND PERUS DE BEER; CHURCH REGISTER

2011-12-28T01:49:00.000-08:00

Bennie de Beer next to his grandfather's grave at the Pellisier Nedrduits Gereformeerde Church in Bloemfontein (December, 2011). The name of BP De Beer also appears in the archives of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kimberley. (Karel Johannes de Beer is behind the pulpit of the museum, November 2011)

NICHOLAAS DE BEER's GRANDSON VISITS THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN KIMBERLEY

2011-12-28T01:36:00.000-08:00

Gert De Beer on church register

News Paper clipping above, displayed in the first Seventh-day Adventist Church museum in Kimberley.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH HISTORY

2011-12-28T01:27:00.000-08:00

Pieter Wessels, of Kimberley, became convinced about adult baptism. In the same way, while he studied the Word of God, he peruaded his family to keep the Sabbath, instead of Sunday as the Lord's day of rest. Soon, a small community of Sabbath keepers started to grow in the wild diamond fields surrounding Kimberley. They were not aware that this denomination already existed in the United States of America, however, an American digger, William Hunt, from California, brought some information of the Senth Day Adventist Church to Kimberley. This little farmer community received some donations ($250) to ask the church in the USA to send a missionary, which started it all in Africa. Especially via Rhdes to educate the Black people of Africa. In the process, the Sevent-day Adventist Church stated to operate in Kimberley wher the De Beer-broters were baptized. (Images will be soon uploaded).

BENNIE DE BEER

2011-12-22T02:31:00.000-08:00

Barend Petrus De Beer (Bennie) and his wife from London, Jesica, recently visited his grand father's grave in Bloemfontein. Bennie is the son of our brother, BP De Beer, who is a teacher at the Universitas Primary School (Tjokkies) in Bloemfontein where Bennie also completed his primary school years. Bennie emigrated to the UK and served in the British Army in Iraq as well as in Northern Ireland. He and his wife is currently involved in missionary work. Photo's will be uploaded as soon as possible.

STEAM TRAINS; AUSTRALIA

2011-12-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

This little green steam engine was built by retired railway staff in Australia. The engine driver of this machine was once a fireman for our dad, Barend Petrus De Bee,r on the Bloemfontein traject to Noupoort in the Northern Cape.

PUFFING BILLY IN AUSTRALIA

2011-12-13T03:30:00.000-08:00

My youngest brother, Floris Petrus De Beer (Fonnie)'s eldest son Neil and his family emigrated to Australia. When Fonnie spoke Afrikaans to his son next to an amateur locomotive, the enginedriver warned them that he also understands Afrikaans. They discovered that the driver was not only from South Africa, but actually stoked locomotives for our father in Bloemfontein !!!

BAREND PETRUS DE BEER FAMILY LINE

2011-12-12T02:27:00.001-08:00

According to the research of D & J De Beer: DIE DE BEER-FAMILIE. Drie eeue in Suid-Afrika (Afrkaans title) ISBN 978-0-620-47855-7 (Cf. Family Origins GEN2SA V.5.42) August 2010, Karel Johannes De Beer derives from the Barend Petrus De Beer-family tree:

Father : Barend Petrus De Beer *Born in Petrusburg, Orange Free State, South Africa on 26 May 1923 and died +18 August 2006 , buried in the private cemetery of the Nederduits-Gereformeerde Church yard, Pellisierpark, Bloemfontein.

Father's grandfather, Barend Petrus De Beer: *Born in Graaff -Reinet on 4May 1842 and died + 9April 1904, buried in the Anglo Boer War Cemetery at Petrusburg.

Father's great, great grandfather, Barent (d) Petrus De Beer: *Born in Graaff -Reinet on 26January 1817 in the Northern Cape and died +28February 1894, buried in the family churchyard on the farm, INHOEK, three kilometers West from Petrusburg. (See previous published photographs on my Blog of eroded tombstones.)

The latter's father, Barend Petrus De Beer: *Born on the farm, SNEEUBERG, Graaff-Reinet, 30September 1789 in theNorthern Cape and died on +8November 1837, buried in Graaf-Reinet, Northern Cape.

(Still under research review) Barend Petrus De Beer; Trace under the second main branch of Mathys Andriesz De Beer (a2): PN: praenomen nescio (unknown):Barend De Beer's first South African generation ( ??) Kweekvallei / Prince Albert ? ? Cape Colony ? Cf. 10498 *..............a2b6c7d3e3f3g3<5943> (D&J De Beer, Ibid. p. 1199) possible name from mother's side in KWEEKVALLEI, Western Cape* Circa September 1789 ??.........+Died in circa 1816 and possibly buried in Graaff -Reinet (?)
Barend De Beer, second South African generation (?) + Colesberg; and
Barend Petrus De Beer, third South African generation (?) * Fauresmith, Orange Free State + Fauresmith disrict.

DE BEER's AND SEVEN'th DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

2011-11-11T03:15:00.001-08:00

Pastor Henry Baptiste of the Seven'th Day Adventist Church in Kimberley showed their original church to me last Saturday to research the connection between the "diamond de Beer-family" and their church and which is now used as a museum to commemorate the very first Seven'th day Adventist Church that was ever established in Africa. (See photo of the church museum in some of the previous publications).

Nicholas J De Beer, who's name was used for the famous DeBeers Diamond Company by Cecil John Rhodes, and his brother, Diderich, were both baptized in the church. Their names as well as Gert de Beer and BP De Beer can be traced in the archives. My own father also have the initials, BP, which stands for Barend Petrus, however, the name on the tombstone of his great grand father, reads BARENT PETRUS. (See previous publications of graves of the De Beers in Petrusburg).

Press clippings of the eldest son of NJ De Beer, who visited the museum at a later stage can be viewed next to a sketch of the original "De Beer-Homestead". A replica of the homestead was built in the new Big Hole Museum. The Homestead suburb is still evident where the old house use to stand before it was demolished by some ignorant city planners. Earlier in my Blog, readers can still view the original De Beer-Homestead in one of the photo's that were taken in the nick of time.

Pieter Wessel's name is the most prominent in the church museum. He donated most of the money to establish the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Africa while the De Beer-family donated also some money. Together it amounted up to fifty thousand pounds at some stage. The Helderberg theological school of the church in Cape Town was also initiated with this financial support, while Rhodes himself, donated money to establish an educational centre for the church in Rhodesia (read Zimbabwe).

According to Gerrit Wessels of Boshof, an offspring of the Pieter Wessels-family in Kimberley who donated the money, says that Pieter fell ill and went into the veld to communicate in private with his Creator. After about a week, he returned home with the message that he is convinced that the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord and that he has to follow up on that. He went to the Seventh Day Adventist Day Church in the United States of America and afterwards commenced with the establishment of this church denomination in Africa.

JN De Beer used some of his money that got from Rhodes to buy a farm next to the Vaalriver in the Boshof district in the Orange Free State near the border with Christiana in the Transvaal. He was also buried on this farm (see previous publications). However, this branch of the De Beer-family has lost their farm soon after NJ De Beer's (senior) death. According to Dirk de Beer, who still farms with potatoes on an adjacent farm, holds the opinion that they donated too much of their money to"some church or other"... Dirk's mother told him that one of the De Beer-sisters, who was married to a wealthy Rooi Afrikaner Cow farmer in the Hoopstad region nearby, a certain Geldenhuys (?), bought the original De Beer-farms back for them to resettle themselves. Dirk and his brother started with potatoes, however, his brother lost his part of the farm--where the NJ De Beer grave rests--and is currently owned by somebody else... Fortunately, Dirk and his two sons are still running an extremely well managed potato farm next to the original De Beer-farm.

But as Dirk de Beer recalls, nobody of the old "diamond de Beer" family really benefited from the cash that Rhodes gave them. Pastor Baptiste also reminded me that Rhodes also traded other farms and land to consolidate his diamond mines.

RESEARCH DE BEER SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST LINKS

2011-10-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Reverend Henry Baptisto has invited me to visit the very first 7th Day Adventist Church in South Africa which was originally built in Kimberley, Northern Cape. I kindly request De Beer's who are members of this church denomination, to update us about their first links with the 7th Day Adventists. We endeavor to trace the first links between the original De Beer's of Kimberley and this church. It is speculated that the De Beer brothers of diamond fame, donated the first money to build the sink structure for this church in Kimberley and which lately was converted into a museum.

FLOWER PHOTO FROM BUS WINDOW

2011-10-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

Christa took this snapshot with a cell phone passing by a veld full of flowers near Clanwilliam in the Northern Cape.

CHRISTA IN FLOWER LAND

2011-10-22T14:26:00.001-07:00

CHRISTA IN FLOWER LAND

2011-10-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Animal Lovers

2011-10-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Our daughter, Sanmarié, with new puppy in the family.

FLOWERS IN NAMAKWA

2011-08-11T02:39:00.000-07:00

This time of the year South Africans love to look at the flowers in Namkwaland, Northern Cape. Exceptionally good rains filled the dams and it looks like a very special event until September.

DE BEER FAMILY HISTORY IN SOUTH AFRICA

2011-08-03T04:31:00.000-07:00

Quite a number of de Beer's contacted me either via Blog comments or Facebook and even by cell phone re: The De Beer Family History. As usual, I recommended them to Divie de Beer and Jaleen de Beer's thorough research with the latest genealogical register. Subsequently, I also refer readers or followers of my Blog to scroll down until they can find more about their research which I frequently quoted and acknowledged. Jaleen requests de Beer family members to forward their new profiles for their register.

SOLAR ENERGY

2011-07-27T03:53:00.000-07:00

The patent of a friend of mine, how to heat water with the sunlight on one of my earlier blogs, is now in progress. The only problem that I still have to solve is how to store the hot water longer. I hope to get response from other back yard mechanics!

Karel de Beer

2011-06-22T06:11:00.000-07:00

Only a few words to let my readers know that my new e-mail address has changed to kareldebeer40@gmail.com because my former address (kbeer@cut.ac.za) has been closed down. Fortunately my new gmail-account makes it more convenient to use as a freelance political literacy consultant without compromising my former employer. In the world of open education resources and open access, political literacy issues are, however, still considered as a kind of a potential threat to the more "closed" systems and people of our society. In contrast to the non enlightened, the modern trend is currently growing at a revolutionary rate to open up knowledge and information! The current "Arab Spring" initiated a new open knowledge society also to those were previously marginalized or deprived by authoritarians...Still, some of the 'old regimes' of the Arab world and some African dictators have not realized the power of open electronic communication... The Russians coined the phrase long ago that: "Influence is stronger than government" ! Blat silnee savnorkoma (sic).

SOLAR POWER GEYSER: DEALESVILLE

2011-03-23T03:12:00.000-07:00

FORUM FOR SATELLITE CAMPUS DIRECTORS

2011-03-23T02:52:00.000-07:00

FORUM FOR DIRECTORS OF SATELLITE CAMPUSES
In the National Association for Distance and Open Education of South Africa (NADEOSA), a interest group for satellite campus directors was called together at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in Bloemfontein where the President of NADFEOSA, Mr. Tony Mays (far right on the photo) addressed them. The meeting was inter alia attended by Prof Ernst van Biljon, the campus director of the George Satellite campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth (left on photo) and Prof John Shongwe, campus director of the Nelspruit satellite campus of the Tswane University of Technology (TUT) (second from the left). Dr. Kallie de Beer of the CUT), convener, stands next to Prof Shongwe of TUT. In the case of the CUT, this university has a hybrid satellite campus in Welkom and collaborated via its “satellite” facility in Kimberley with the National Institute for Higher Education in the Northern Cape (NIHE). Two new fully fledged universities are currently developed from the two respective satellites in Nelspruit and Kimberley. The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), the University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of the North West (UNW) are part of the NIHE initiative while the University of Pretoria and the TUT are part of the process in Nelspruit. These two examples are evident of the single higher education system of the Department for Higher education and which operates according to the Higher Education Act (101) of the Republic of South Africa.

HUGO HENDRIK BIERMANN; Avonne Pickering

2011-03-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

Uit die DE BEER register van Jaleen:

10862 e6 Johannes Nicolaas DE BEER <6775> (10813/x), ∗ Kaapkolonie 06.12.1830, ≈ 04.04.1831, † Smithskraal, Boshof dist. 20.06.1883 »α VAB B689. (52-6-14). Die plaas “Vooruitzicht” waarop Kimberley myn begin het, het aan hom en sy broer Diederik Arnoldus (e4) behoort. Die De Beers Maatskappy is na hulle vernoem. Beroep: Veeboer.
»» Kinders (10): 10863, 10976, 10977, 10985, 11021, 11071, 11072, 11073, 11074, 11079 x Susanna Anetta Elizabeth STEENKAMP <6776>, ∗ KP ±__.12.1831, † Smitskraal, Boshof dist. 08.05.1893 »α VAB S1070. Ook genoem: Susanna Annetta Margrietha Elizabeth Steenkamp. SAG 3, p. 252, kol. 2 noem haar Anetta Margarietha Elizabeth Steenkamp.

Hulle tweede dogter:

10976 f2 Wilhelmina Aletta DE BEER <6831> (10862/x), ∗ 28.06.1856, ≈ Bloemfontein 05.10.1856 »α Ook genoem: Jacoba Wilhelmina Aletta. Doopregister se gegewens is gebruik.
x Jacobsdal 23.08.1869, ÷ __.__.1881, Adam Willem Johannes HEFER <6832>, ∗ 01.09.1842, ≈ Cradock 23.04.1843, † Volksrust 14.02.1924 »α SAG 3, p.
252, kol. 2. Beroep: Onderwyser, boer, kruiedokter. Hy skei in 1881, trou daarna xx met Johanna Greyling, xxx Maria Elizabeth Botha. Die volgende uit SAG 3 soos hierbo genoem: “Hy en sy nakomelinge uit sy derde huwelik (e5 - e11) aanvaar die van, HELLFERSCHEE, en hy aanvaar die name Alttden John.”
xx Hugo Hendrik BIERMAN <11306>
xxx Johannes Petrus Stephanus LUBBE <6902> »α Hy was ook getroud met Jacoba Wilhelmina Aletta de Beer.

Johan J Pottas IKT / ICT
Universiteit Vrystaat / University Free State
Tel: +27-51-401-2767 werk
Tel: +27-51-522-7329 huis
Tel: +27-82-569-3727 sel
Faks: +27-51-401-2765 werk
Posbus 34559, Faunasig, 9325

From: avonne [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: 10 March 2011 05:49 PM
To: De Beer Kallie
Subject: [Karel de Beer] New comment on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER.

avonne has left a new comment on your post "GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE
BEER":

I am Avonne Pickering, granddaughter of Edith van Staden, nee Biermann, whose mother was Cornelia de Beer. Cornelia was the daughter of Nicolaas Johannes de Beer, of diamond fame. She married a Hefer and was widowed, and then married Hugo Hendrik Biermann. I have the remains of a photo taken in the Kimberly Concentration Camp with Cornelia, Hugo and their baby daughter , Evelyn. the rest of the picture sadly has deteriorated but the photo and story about it were published in The Saturday Star Joahnnesburg in about 1988 or so, being submitted by Major Herzog Biermann from Pretoria, one of the grandsons of Hugo Hendrik. Do you have any information about Cornelia ? thanks, Avonne

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Pickering; Wendy Verweij; Bierman; Hugo

2011-03-14T04:35:00.000-07:00

hallo Kallie,

ek het gekyk, ek herken wel die naam, maar dit staan nie in my lyn nie, dit kom wel voor in die de beers boek wat digitaal te koop is.
Groete
Wendy
On Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 11:02 AM, Kallie De Beer wrote:
Beste Wendy/ leatitia

Lees asseblief Pickering se comment op my Blog

Dr. K. J. De Beer
Director: Academic Support & Research
Department Academic Development and Support
Tel: +27 51 507 3325 | Fax: +27 086 605 2336 | E-mail kbeer@cut.ac.za
Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)
Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

From: avonne [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: 10 March 2011 05:49 PM
To: De Beer Kallie
Subject: [Karel de Beer] New comment on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER.

avonne has left a new comment on your post "GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER":

I am Avonne Pickering, granddaughter of Edith van Staden, nee Biermann, whose mother was Cornelia de Beer. Cornelia was the daughter of Nicolaas Johannes de Beer, of diamond fame. She married a Hefer and was widowed, and then married Hugo Hendrik Biermann. I have the remains of a photo taken in the Kimberly Concentration Camp with Cornelia, Hugo and their baby daughter , Evelyn. the rest of the picture sadly has deteriorated but the photo and story about it were published in The Saturday Star Joahnnesburg in about 1988 or so, being submitted by Major Herzog Biermann from Pretoria, one of the grandsons of Hugo Hendrik. Do you have any information about Cornelia ? thanks, Avonne

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DE BEER'S FIRST CONGREGATION

2011-03-14T03:40:00.000-07:00

It is speculated that the route that my De Beer ancestors more or less took (before, during and after the Great Trek of the Voortrekkers, circa 1838) from Kweekvallei (read Prince Albert next to the Swartberg Mountains)was first to Graaf Reinette in the (Great Karoo) and where they respectively split to Colesberg/Kimberley and Colesberg/Fauresmith. My specific family research shows that they fell under the Dutch Reformed church congregation of Fauresmith. Fauresmith was the nearest railway line from which they imported their goods from Cape Town. In those days they only attended the sacrament of the Holy Communion once a quarter when the new born babies were also baptized and registered on the church's register. The farm INHOEK, where my great-great grand father, Barent Petrus De Beer farmed, was situated next to Petrusburg -- that was founded some years later-- and where their offspring were baptized and raised. However, my own grand father. CAREL JOHANNES DE BEER was baptized in Kimberley (?). Most probably during a family visit to that part of the family tree.

NG CHURCH ARCHIVE: FAURESMITH

2011-03-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

Though this little "museum" type of building in Fauresmith displays some historic photographs, the register, however, in which the names of my baptized DE BEER-family is preserved, is kept in the Archives of the Free State NG Church in St Andrew Street, Bloemfontein. It is said that those registers were were the most meticulously up dated and preserved documents in South Africa. Unfortunately, the modern trend is not to marry nor to baptize the children necessarily in a church denomination which keeps registers etc. Church archives may become distinct as in the case of the old graves in church yards...

Avonne Pickering, Herzog Biermann, Wendy de Beer,

2011-03-14T03:03:00.000-07:00

I am Avonne Pickering, granddaughter of Edith van Staden, nee Biermann, whose mother was Cornelia de Beer. Cornelia was the daughter of Nicolaas Johannes de Beer, of diamond fame. She married a Hefer and was widowed, and then married Hugo Hendrik Biermann. I have the remains of a photo taken in the Kimberly Concentration Camp with Cornelia, Hugo and their baby daughter , Evelyn. the rest of the picture sadly has deteriorated but the photo and story about it were published in The Saturday Star Joahnnesburg in about 1988 or so, being submitted by Major Herzog Biermann from Pretoria, one of the grandsons of Hugo Hendrik. Do you have any information about Cornelia ? thanks, Avonne
By avonne on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER on 10/03/11

My name is Wendy de Beer, I cannot find any alternative contact details for you. If I would really appreciate some more info on my family that lived in Boshof before the Boer War. My email address is wmverweij@gmail.com Thank you Wendy
By Wendy SA on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER on 19/11/10

Kallie, You should contact Prof Jan de Bruyn, past deputy vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University, regarding the family history of the De Beer family. He did mammoth research into it. He is now retired but I can supply his contact details. Regards, Albert de Beer
By Albert on De Beer Family Crest on 20/03/10

Hallo daar, Ek is op soek na die boek Agter die magalies van BK de Beer. Ek is besig met navorsing oor die Ras familie en verstaan die boek sal van groot waarde wees. My oorlede skoonpa was Nicolas Petrus Ras Elmarie Ras http://anilkzn.blogspot.com/
By ANIL on LOST DE BEER FAMILY on 21/05/09

Hallo daar, Ek is op soek na 'n boek geskryf deur BK de Beer - Agter die magalies. Ek is besig om die Ras familie na te vors en verstaan die boek behoort baie te help. Elmarie Ras http://anilkzn.blogspot.com/
By ANIL on LOST DE BEER FAMILY on 21/05/09

Hello.
My naam is Aletta Petronella de Beer. Ek hoop jy kan my dalk raad gee. Wat ek sover kon uitvind is dat my oupa grootjie se name was Matthys Johannes Christiaan de Beer en my oupa was Abraham Johannes de Beer.My pa is ook Matthys Johannes Christiaan de Beer. My oupa is in 1974 of daar iewers oorlede. Hy was bekend by sy vriende as Ampie. Hy het 2 broers gehad. Hy was getroud met Aletta Petronella Schoemen. Hy het op Tolwe is die Transvaal geboer. Die magalakwen rivier was op die plaas. Die plaas was Welgelegen gewees.Kan my kontak by alletap_1@yahoo.com Groete uit New Zealand.Dankie.

Hello my naam is Ferdi de Beer, seun van Freddie (Frederik, Pieter, Jeremia(h)) de Beer, ek wil net weet waar kan ek meer van my stamboom en famielie inligting kry??? my email adres is , ferdidebeer@yahoo.com
By ferdi on LAST QUOTATIONS FROM HERTIA BOCKELMAN AND DW DE BE... on 28/08/08

I am the grandson of Petronella Sophia de Beer , who in turn was dau. of Johannes Nicolaas de Beer & the granddaughter of " Diamond " de Beer . She married Parry Davies in 1915 & their first born son was unlucky to be named Patrick Johannes Nicolaas de Beer Davies , it didn't help him as he inherited none of the de Beer fortune .
By Perry on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER on 03/03/08

UNIVERSITY OF MALAGA IN SPAIN

2011-03-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

CHRISTIAN HANS ANDERSON AND CHRISTA DE BEER

2011-03-03T06:02:00.000-08:00

During our visit to the University of Malaga in Spain, I photographed my wife sitting next to a statue of the famous author for kinder garten stories and fairy tales. Malaga is a city full of historical surprises.

SITE SEEING IN BIRMIGHAM, UK

2011-03-03T05:54:00.000-08:00

In front of the Technical Museum in the industrial area of Birmingham where pupils can explore with technology experiments.

MOSTERT, DOCTOR JACO: COMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING

2011-03-03T05:26:00.001-08:00

Dr Jaco Mostert, previously from the former Technikon South Africa, TSA (now incorporated into the New University of Southern Africa, UNISA)and I together at the 2nd Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning at the International Convention Centre in Durban ( 29 July-2 August 2002). It was co-organized by the National Association for Open and Distance Education in South Africa (NADEOSA). In that year, I served on the NADEOSA-Executive, representing the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. Dr. Mostert is currently the Chief Economic Advisor to the Provincial Government of the Northern Cape.

DE BEER HISTORY ON CD

2011-03-03T03:14:00.000-08:00

FAREWELL TO CUT PENSIONER

2011-02-23T06:13:00.000-08:00

Braai and drinks at George Nel's corner at the CUT to bade Oosie Oosthuizen, Director: Continuing Education, goodbye.

RECOGNITION OF PROF HR HAY

2011-02-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

The former Dean: Academic Development at the CUT, Prof HR Hay (now one of the Deputy Vice Chancellors at the University of the Free State) gave acknowledgement to the organizers of an in-house conference of the Unit for Academic Development of the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT).

DOWN MY ACADEMIC MEMORY LANE AT CUT

2011-02-23T05:40:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, before the Technikon Free State became a university, academe was encouraged to conduct research in building capacity to become a fully fledged university. I am proud to say that I was one of the very first pioneers to be recognized with a special research award during those foundation years...

DOCTORATE AWARDED IN 1981

2011-02-23T05:33:00.000-08:00

Prof. Bennedictus Kok, Vice Chancellor of the UOFS, congratulates Dr. Karel J De Beer

URANIUM: SOME HISTORICAL FACTS (AFRIKAANS VERSION)

2011-02-11T05:40:00.000-08:00

BELEIDSIMPEMENTERING IN CASU URAANVERRYKING EN KERNENERGIE DEUR HILGARD MULLER AS MINISTER VAN BUITELANDSE SAKE (1964-1977)
Outeur: KJ De Beer
ABSTRACT
Surely the American ban on the selling of arms to South Africa, as well as the United Nations’ decision of August 1963, stimulated South Africa’s own armament industry which eventually culminated in the production of nuclear weapons. Today these weapons are, history because it has since been insulated as low grade enriched uranium refuge and most probably buried at Vaalputs in the Northern Cape. Vaalputs is one of the very few dumping sites for low grade enriched uranium refuge. It serves, inter alia, for refuge of the Koeberg nuclear power station in the Western Cape. In the Northern Cape it is speculated that another nuclear reactor will be erected next to the Western Coast of this province. However, it is still uncertain what the immediate future of the Pebble Bed Modular reactor will be. All these modern nuclear developments have started since the sixties and seventies by the previous South African government. For example, Dr. Hilgard Muller was one of the strategic role players to forge scientific ties with countries such as Germany, Taiwan, Israel and South American states, to enhance nuclear development for peaceful purposes. Because of the confidential and often “scary” nature, the layman in the street is little informed about this secret world, except that the national electricity provider, ESKOM, cannot stay ahead in providing enough power with its coal driven power stations. News about alternative power sources with wind, tidal sea currents, solar power and many more, are being covered daily by the media, but very little is said about the benefits of nuclear power, except about the fears that uranium enriched products could land up in the hands of terrorists. Nuclear terror is still ghosting since the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. Unqualified fears for radiation will also stay alive as long as nuclear energy itself versus the peaceful implementation thereof as propagated by Dr. Hilgard Muller, a former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
INLEIDING:
Uraanverryking en kernenergie was en is ‘n sensitiewe onderwerp in die wêreldpolitiek. Met die ter perse gaan van hierdie artikel is Iran en Noord-Korea in die spervuur van die Westerse bondgenote wat gekant is teen die ontwikkeling van kernwapens, terwyl pres. Barak Obama van die VSA vroegtydig ‘n Nobelprys vir Vrede ontvang het vir sy pogings om onder meer kernwapens te verminder (SA Media 2009). Eweneens was dié strategiese mineraal, uraan, sedert die twintiger- jare al omstrede in die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Buitelandse Sake. In ‘n onderhoud van die Instituut vir Eietydse Geskiedenis met die vermaarde Suid- Afrikaanse wetenskaplike, dr. JE Holloway, word die uraanverkope aan die Amerikaners gedurende die tydperk van Generaal JBM Hertzog as Premier bespreek. Volgens hom was die geheime korrespondensie in die kluis van Buitelandse Sake bewaar (INEG-kasset 215). Oor die genl. JC Smuts-era as Eerste Minister, wat ook die portefuelje van Buitelandse Sake behartig het, vertel sy vertroueling, TC Robertson, van die ontwikkeling van die “atoombom” in die VSA en dat beide genls. Hertzog en Smuts op die hoogte was van die Teller –eksperimente aldaar (INEG-kassette 216-217). Genl. Hertzog het trouens gewaarsku teen ‘n wêreldoorlog waarin daar van verskriklik gevaarlike wapens gebruik gemaak sal word. Maar hy is polities deur genl. Smuts uitgeknikker, wat daarop Suid Afrika bereid verklaar het om die Britse Regering in hulle oorlog teen Duitsland te ondersteun.
Nadat die Amerikaanse bomwerper, Enola Clay, die skrikwekkende kernbom op die Japanse stad, Hiroshima, in 1946 afgegooi het om ‘n einde aan die Tweede Wêreldoorlog te bespoedig, het die kernwapenresies tussen die groot moondhede begin, met onuitwisbare gevolge vir die mensdom. Brittanje het spoedig toegetree. Daarby vertel die destydse Suid Afrikaanse Minister van Verdediging en latere president, JJ Fouché, dat die Simonstad Ooreenkoms van 1961 tussen Suid-Afrika en Brittanje ter beskermining van die strategiese seeroete om die Kaap, ook gebruik was om die Franse regering te oortuig vir beskerming van die roete. Wapentuig en “strategiese minerale” was deel van wat beskerm moes word (INEG-kasset 194). Gevolglik het die Franse regering verskeie tipes wapentuig aan Suid-Afrika verkoop, soos byvoorbeeld die Mirage vegvliegtuie, Daphne klas duikbote, ensovoorts.
Gedurende die tydperk van dr HF Verwoerd as Eerste Minister, is begin met die verryking van uraan by Pelindaba, terwyl die industriële ontwikkeling van uraan voortgegaan het in die BJ Vorster-tydperk as Eerste Minister. Dr. Hilgard Muller was die verantwoordelike buitelandse minister wat die polities sensitiewe inligting oor dié unieke, maar uiters strategiese uraanverrykingsprosesse moes help bestuur. Hy het veral ‘n wesenlike bydrae gemaak oor die vreedsame aanwending van kernenergie om voldoende elektrisieteit in die toekoms op te wek (De Beer 1980 : 79-80; 177; 120-123; 215; 233-236; 242; 280-286; 290; 458; 519-550; 735;738).
In die PW Botha-tydperk as uitvoerende President van Suid Afrika het die wapenboikotte teen die Suid-Afrikaanse volkere beleid ‘n hoogtepunt bereik, terwyl daar gerugte internasionaal was dat die land ‘n kernarsenaal begin opbou het. In diverse onderhoude met wetenskaplikes en veral politici, soos adv. RF Botha, die latere Minister van Buitelandse Sake, het die destydse Suid-Afrikaanse Uitsaaikorporasie (SAUK) hoorbeelde in casu-uraanverryking, Velindaba, die Safari kernreaktor en die “strategiese grondstofontwikkelingsprogram” saamgestel (INEG-kassette 91, 97 en 144) (My aanhalingstekens). Hierin ontvou ‘n klein stukkie van die geskiedenis rondom Suid-Afrika se uiteindelike ontwikkeling van kernwapens en wat op die ou einde in die nuwe konstitusionele dispensasie sedert 1994 afgetakel is.
Die ANC-regering van die dag is egter positief oor die voortsetting van kernkragontwikkeling van ‘n Korrelbed-Modulêre Reaktor, maar behalwe vir enkele mediaberigte, is nie veel meer bekend oor hoe die nuwe ontwikkeling vanuit die tegnologie van die vorige bedeling ontwikkel word nie (Vgl. The Star 2009).
DIE HILGARD MULLER- ERA
Nadat adv Eric Louw as Minister van Buitelandse Sake in 1963 uitgetree het, het dr. Higard Muller, destydse Hoë Kommisaris in Engeland, hom opgevolg. Hoewel hy die karaktertrekke van ‘n gepoleerde diplomaat gehad het en altyd die regte diplomatieke protokol aan die dag gelê het, was hyself ‘n introvert van ge-aardheid met ‘n “cagey” manier van doen, soos die Engelse media hom getipeer het (De Beer:121). Oor die delikate onderwerp van oop- en geslote diplomasie was hy baie reguit gewees, veral oor uraanverryking en bespiegelinge rondom kernwapens: “Mense, ek is bevrees ek kan nie hier vir julle spesifieke inligting gee nie. Daar is dinge aan die gang en julle mag ook nie daaroor skrywe nie…dit is landsbelang dat u nie vir ons alles uiblaker nie…u moet u nie daaraan steur as u kwalik geneem word nie” (INEG-kassette 659 tot 662). In hedendaagse terme sou Muller beslis baie swaarder daarvan afgekom het as in sy dae, waar die nasionale media hom dalk ietwat beskerm het of versigtig was vir die destydse Nasionale Party-bewind. Maar hy het volstaan: ”Ek glo ‘n diplomaat moet min praat; indien moontlik glad nie na buite … die beste saak in die wêreld kan soms verongeluk word deur ‘n ontydige of onbesonne uitlating” (Muller 1972).
Terugskouend, na die geheimhouding van Suid-Afrika se “strategiese minerale- ontwikkelingsbeleid”, kon Muller natuurlik maklik in ‘n onbewaakte oomblik iets laat val het wat onmiddellik deur die Londense “media clearing house” die wêreld ingestuur sou word, veral oor kernwapens. Dit het natuurlik hom nog meer versigtig gemaak om nie meer as net die nodigste oor die onderwerp te sê nie.
BELEIDSIMPLEMENTERING:
Volgens Muller moes hy altyd twee faktore in berekening bring wanneer Suid-Afrika se buitelandse beleid bespreek word, naamlik internasionale bydaes soos wetenskaplike ontwikkeling, byvoorbeeld uraanverryking, en tweedens die internasionale awersie in die regering se rassebeleid. Dat Suid-Afrika internasionale bydraes met sy minerale by uitstek op ekonomiese gebied gelewer het, is nie te betwyfel nie, maar dit was verydel deur die sogenaamde beleid van vertikale differensisie in die nasionale staat. Om aanvaarbare maatskapsverhoudinge vanuit ‘n volkeregtelike posisie van gelykwaardigheid te bedryf, was vir Muller een van die moeilikste dinge waarmee hy homself willens en wetens moes versoen (Vgl. De Beer :79).
Sy sterk aanknopingspunt was egter dat Suid Afrika op wetenskaplik-tegnologiese terreine bydraes gemaak het, wat van die land ‘n onmisbare bondgenoot gemaak het. Bydraes tot die Internasionale Atoomagentskap en sy stategiese grondstowwe is praktiese bewyse waarsonder die Weste in die destydse Koue Oorlog nie sou kon klaarkom nie. Daarsonder sou die Westerse bondgenote hulle nie ten volle kon bewapen nie (Vgl. Muller 1964 en Botha 1976).
Vertroulike diplomasie is versterk deur die kernwapen-era sedert die Tweede Wêreldoorlog. In hierdie opsig was dit ‘n aanvaarbare beleid onder Westerse bondgenote en was Suid-Afrika ook so gerespekteer, want, skryf Barnard: “Die eise van die kerneeu het reeds ‘n kentering veroorsaak. In toenemende mate word daar weer na die vertroulike diplomatieke gesprekvoering van staatsmanne en diplomate teruggekeer ten opsigte van bestaande magspoloitieke magskonstellasies” (Barnard 1979).
In sy tyd as Minister van Buitelandse Sake het die Britse Regering ook geheimhouding in buitelandse aangeleenthede gehandhaaf, omdat volkere verhoudinge as sodanig delikaat is (De Beer:176). Maar die hoofsaak is die gevaar van skrikwekkende wapens soos kernbomme en ruimteprojektiele (Muller 1969). Tereg het die Atheense diplomaat van ouds, Thucydides se The Pelopponnesian War opgemerk: “ Since you know as well as we do that right, as the world goes, is only a question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must” (Barnard 1976: 228). In dergelike terme het Muller ook gesê dat Suid-Afrika se weermag as afskrikmiddel vir diplomatieke gewin aangewend kan word maar gekonsentreer op die postiewe boodskap van vrede, want, het hy in die Volksraad gesê: “…dat dit totaal verkeerd is om te dink dat Suid-Afrika in ‘n staat van oorlog verkeer met die res van die wêreld of ‘n deel daarvan” (Muller 1969). Vir hom was militêre paraatheid nie imperialisties afgestem nie, maar alleen eie aan die woorde van Vegetius – si vis pacem para bellum – as jy vrede verlang moet jy jouself vir oorlog voorberei (Barnard 1980:67). Insgelyks kan Muller se toespraak in die Algemene Vergadering van die Verenigde Nasies hierby aangehaal word: “… let me add that South Africa’s atomic energy programme is devoted to peaceful purposes exclusively. It has always been our policy, and it remains our policy, to sell uranium only on condition that the uranium be made subject to IAEA or equivalent safeguards to ensure that it is not diverted to military purposes” (Muller 1973).
Omdat Suid-Afrika vasgevang was in ‘n diplomatieke drukgang tussen Oos- en Weskonflikte van ideologieë, het dit moeilik gemaak om die raakvlakke tussen oorlog en normale maatskapsverbande te onderskei. Dit het impliseer dat diplomasie nie alleen ter sprake was nie, maar ook strategie. Muller verduidelik dit so voor die Suid-Afrikaanse Verdedigingskollege: ”The definition of strategy by the Oxford Dictionary is generalship, the art of War, the management of military forces. The two concepts have a great deal in common. Both for instance require the ability to plan and to manage. The objectives which they strive to achieve, may sometimes be identical, but often differ fundamentally. In the case of strategy the objective is frequently to obtain the maximum national advantage by the use of forsce, in other words, to conduct war successfully…The purpose of diplomacy is as a rule exactly the opposite: to obtain maximum national advantage without the use of violence, and with the minimum of friction or resentment, in other words, to avoid war. Diplomacy is therefore in a sense a substitute for force” (De Beer: 763).
Hoewel Muller wou voorgee dat Suid-Afrika nie ‘n “gunboat diplomacy” beoefen nie en dat die destydse Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag (SAW) slegs ‘n verdedigende rol vervul, het die latere militêre bedrywighede in Angola en Suidwes-Afrika die teendeel bewys. Vandag kan Jan en Alleman ook nie presies sê wanneer Suid-Afrika begin kernwapens vervaardig het nie. Dit wil sê gedurende Muller se ampstermyn of daarna, maar verseker was dié land al op daardie stadium verdink dat hy sy kernkragvermoëns anti-normatief sou aanwend (De Beer: 216).
URAANVERRYKING TER WILLE VAN EKONOMIESE WEERBAARHEID:
Na die Tweede Wêreldoorlog het Suid-Afrika in ‘n jong nywerheidsreus op die Afrikavasteland ontwikkel. Tydens ‘n toespraak voor die Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut het Muller dit selfs vergelyk met die Duitse “Wirtschaftswunder” (Muller: 1966). Afgesien van sy tegnologiese kundigheid beskik die land ook oor ‘n groot verskeidenheid van strategiese en ekonomies ontginbare grondstowwe wat bygedra het tot ekonomiese weerbaarheid, juis omdat Suid-Afrika nie oor sy eie oliebronne beskik het vir militêre paraatheid nie. Die steenkool- en uraanprosesse moes help om verhogings in oliepryse te balanseer. Dit het weer die land se status as handelsvennoot gestimuleer. Daarby het die steenkool- en uraanpryse vergoed vir die energiekrisis, maar die land was nie “snoep” met sy kragbronne nie, haal die dagblad Die Transvaler (1974) die minister aan: “Energie-bronne , soos steenkool en uraan, sal veral beskikbaar gestel word aan bevriende lande wat nie so goed bedeeld is met natuurlike hulpbronne soos die Republiek nie.”
Omdat die destydse regering nie die direkte voordeel aan al die land se burgers deurgegee het nie, moet die The Natal Mercury (1974), ter wille van wetenskaplike perspektief, aangehaal word wat skryf: “all the increases in direct aid promised to the developing countries during the last session of UNO was more than wiped out by the oil price increases…South Africa, with her immense coal and uranium sources, was well placed in this respect but it was essential for all of us that the different energy producing resources of the Earth be rationally exploited in the interest of Mankind as a whole”. Dit is te betwyfel of hierdie wens ooit bewaarheid sou word, hetsy in die Muller-era, of selfs in die huidige ekonomiese klimaat van ‘n wêreldresessie.
DIE ENERGIEKRISIS:
Die uraan-ontginningsaanlegte het wel die SASOL-brandstof uit steenkoolaanleg gehelp met die opberging van brandstof (De Beer: 236). Hierteenoor het Muller gesê dat Suid-Afrika in ‘n bevoorregte posisie verkeer, dat hy ook ander energiebronne as net steenkool het. Uraan kon egter nie aan verarmde Afrika -state vekoop word nie, want hulle het nie oor kernkragstasies beskik nie. Nogtans was Muller se mening dat kernkrag die energiebron van die toekoms is en sal bly. Suid-Afrika beskik oor van die wêreld se rykste uraanneerslae en die land se wetenskaplikes daarby het reeds ver op die gebied van uraanverryking gevorder. In dié verband merk Muller in Kernaktief (1972:7) op: “Kleiner lande het hul vermoë bewys om dié terrein te betree en heel bruikbare resultate te lewer. Die prestasies van individuele lande is egter nie voldoende nie – die wêreld is ‘n gemeenskap van volkere en gesamentlike vooruitgang is die doelwit. Dit is dus besonder opvallend hoe baie toenaderings daar deur en tussen groot en kleiner lande plaasvind om ekonomiese en lonende samewerking te bewerkstellig, ten einde vodoende brandstofvoorrade vir die kragreaktors van die toekoms te verseker”.
Vanweë die kernterreuraspek wat polities afgestem was, was Muller bedag om hom nie onverantwoordelik en onverantwoord hieroor uit te laat nie. Daar moes eers vooraf deeglik vasgestel word of Suid-Afrika se uraan nie in die arsenale van die vyandige kernmoondhede val nie (Volksraadsdebatte 1968). Volgens hom het Suid-Afrika in 1966 in ooreenstemming met die Internasionale Atoomenergie- agentskap besluit om niks te doen te hê met uraanverkope aan lande wat dit sal misbruik nie. Suid-Afrika het egter groot probleme met die kenrsperverdrag gehad wat in 1968 voor die Verenigde Nasies gedien het. Omdat dit oor die verspreiding van kernwapens gegaan het, en die land nie kernwapens vervaardig het nie, was daar volgens Muller eers ‘n paar tegniese punte wat uitgeklaar moes word. Daarom het ‘n span buitelandse kundiges Suid-Afrika kom besoek (Volksraadsdebatte 1968).
Op 14 Mei 1971 verklaar Muller in die Volksraad dat 100 lande die Kernsperverdrag onderteken en 55 dit bekragtig het. Die Kernsperverdrag het in die vorige jaar, op 5 Maart 1970, van krag geword nadat 43 lande en die deponerende lande, VSA en die destydse USSR en Brittanje dit bekragtig het. ‘n Aantal lande wat ‘n vername rol in die tegnologiese ontwikkeling van uraanverryking speel, byvoorbeeld Suid-Afrika, Indië, Australië, Frankryk, Wes-Duitsland, Spanje, en Sjina het toe nog geen stappe in verband met die kernsperverdrag opgevolg nie. Muller sê Suid-Afrika kan alleenlik standpunt oor toekomstige beveiligingsmaatreëls aan die Atoomagentskap inneem “nadat die reëls wat toegepas gaan word, geformuleer is in die teks van werklike konsep-ooreenkomste en nadat dit duidelik geword het of daar enige onderskeid tussen streeksgroepe en individuele state getref gaan word” (Volksraadsdebatte 1971).
Op 9 Junie 1972 bevestig Muller dat: “ South Africa had signed but not ratified the treaty on the prohibition of the emplacement of nuclear weapons of mass destruction on the seabed and the ocean floor and in the sub soil thereof” (Rand Daily Mail 1972).
Die Minister van Buitelandse Sake het hom egter nie direk veel uitgelaat oor die wesenlike gevare van kernbesoedeling vir die mensdom nie. In eietydse verband is nie veel betoog nodig om te wys op die potensiële monsteragtige gevare wat die kernaanlegte van die wêreld vir die ekologie en dus die voortbestaan van die mens inhou nie. ‘n Voorbeeld twee jaar na Muller se uittrede in 1977, is toe die kerninstallasie by Three Mile Island in Pennisilvanië se kragsentrale byna ontplof het (Beeld 1979). Hierdie gebeure het ook kritiek in Suid-Afrika oor die Koeberg-kernkragsentrale in die Wes-Kaap laat ontstaan. Indien ‘n kernongeluk hier sou gebeur, sal 2 miljoen mense die gebied moet verlaat (Volksblad 1979).
Vergelyk ook die aaklige gevolge van kernbestraling wat beenkanker en genetiese mutasies kan veroorsaak. Kortom, kernbestraling op enige manier – atomies, kosmies, diagnosties of terapeuties - vernietig sellewe. Radioaktiewe bestraling lei geluidloos en gevoelloos tot allerlei kankers deur midde van mutasies wat alle lewe op aarde vernietig (Huisgenoot 1979). Sou een staat ‘n kernwapen teen ‘n ander moondheid gebruik het – en hy self nie in die proses vernietig word nie – dan sou hy nog steeds nie die verowerde gebied as gevolg van radioaktiewe besoedeling, geredelik kon gebruik nie. Dieselfde geld ook vir die uiteindelike “oorwinnaar” van die wêreld, wanneer hy met ‘n besmetting van die ekologie in feitlik elke natuurkring te doen sal kry vir die daaropvolgende honderde (of moontlik duisende) jare (Vgl. Finlay en Howet 1975: 4:5; 56).
Selfs na sy uittrede uit die politiek het Muller volstaan dat kernkrag die olie van die toekoms is (De Beer: 777). Daarby geniet Suid-Afrika groot internasionale aansien ten opsigte van sy uraanverrykingsproses. In dié sin het hy altyd gesê die land is in ‘n besondere sterk posisie (Vgl. Volksraadsdebatte 1968). Die openbare geheimhouding van Suid-Afrika se uraannywerheid laat logieserwyse sekere vrae in die internasionale gemeenskap. Nuuskierigheid is ‘n rede tot spioenasie - enersyds om die bedreigingsfaktor te bepaal en andersyds om aan die wêreld te wil verkondig dat Suid-Afrika hom sou bewapen teen die agtergrond van sy sogenaamde Apartheidsbeleid. ‘n Praktiese bewys hiervan was toe die Minister se department in 1975 beswaar by die VSA aangeteken het, omdat ‘n Derde Sekretaris by die Amerikaanse amabassade in Pretoria, ene EB Brandt, ‘n geheime agent van die Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was. Hy is op heterdaad betrap toe hy op die Suid-Afrikaanse uraanverrykingsprosesse gespioeneer het. In 1979 het die Departement van Buitelandse Sake opnuut versoek dat die VSA spioene Alven Crews, Bernd McConnel en Horace Wyatt moes terugroep, nadat hulle met ‘n ligte Beechcraft vliegtuig lugfoto’s van die land se kerninstallasies geneem het (Volksblad 1979).
Ruimtetegnologie, soos die Amerikaanse spoenasiesatelliet, Big Bird, en die SR 71- spioenasievliegtuig om inligting te bekom oor Suid Afrika se strategiese instellings, is ook sedert Muller se tydperk as Minister van Buitelandse Sake ingespan (Volksblad 1979).
TEGNOLOGIESE ONTWIKKELING:
Tydens ‘n persoonlike onderhoud deur die outeur met dr. Muller na sy tydperk as buitelandse minister, het hy verwys na Suid-Afrika se vindingrykheid wat met enige land ter wêreld tegnies kan meeding. Hy vervolg : “Die RSA bekik oor die goedkoopste, mees effektiewe manier om uraan te verryk (INEG-kasette 659 -662). Die tegnologiese terrein is vir Muller ook ‘n meer “onskuldige terrein”, omdat wetenskaplikes dwarsdeur die wêreld dieselfde taal praat. De Rivera (1968:319) merk ook op : “ Many observers have noted the bad effects which political officers - who are sensitive to subtle power advantages – can have on conferences of scientists, health officials and engineers who would otherwise cooperate easily.”
The Natal Mercury (1974) berig in sy hoofartikel na aanleiding van Muller se energietoespraak in Kaapstad dat: “The poorer nations of Africa will be paying a heavy price for their beliefs if they continue to spurn South Africa’s offer of financial aid and technological skills. Their continued existence as sovereign states could well depend on their ability to keep agricultural production in step with rapid population growth, and that will require the application of modern technology…Moreover, empty bellies and empty coffers can only bring turmoil to a nation – and a continent.”
Vanweë Suid-Afrika se tegnologiese ontwikkeling in uraanverryking het goeie betrekkinge op hierdie gebied met ‘n tegnologies gevorderde land soos Duitsland ontstaan. Na een van Muller se besoeke aan Duitsland se Minister van Navorsing en Tegnologie, Hand Mathoefer, in September 1975, is bespiegel dat daar ‘n kernalliansie tussen die twee lande bestaan. Beide ministers het die bespiegelinge ontken, maar gesê daar bestaan wel ‘n ooreenkoms om Duitse kern- aangedrewe skepe in Suid Afrikaanse hawens te ontvang. Muller het ook gesê dit is geen geheim dat die Suid-Afrikaanse Uraanverrykingskorporasie en soortgelyke Wes-Duitse maatskappye die oprigting van ‘n handelsfabriek vir uraanverryking vir vreedsame doeleindes ondersoek. EVKOM het in daardie stadium (1975) ook ‘n Wes-Duitse tender vir die oprigting van die Koebergkernkragsentrale in die Wes-Kaap gehad. Op sy beurt het die Wes-Duitse Minister van Navorsing en Tegnologie verklaar dat: “…ons koop wel uraan van Suid Afrika, want dié land het die voorraad en ons benodig uraan. Dit is egter nie verrykte uraan nie” (The Star 1975).
Die Wes-Duitse samewerking vir Koeberg het egter nie realiseer nie en Muller het op sy beurt opnuut die waarde van die Franse tegnologie besef. Met Suid-Afrika se strategiese minerale as rouproduk, kon dit na Frankryk uitgevoer word vir verwerking. In ruil kon Frankryk weer sy tegnologiese kennis in Suid-Afrika kom toepas soos wat in die Koeberg-kragsentrale uitgeloop het. Op dié wyse kon Suid Afrika en Frankryk ‘n gedugte span in die Westerse alliansie uitmaak (Muller 1975).
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS -SPIOENASIE:
Omrede die vyande van die Nasionale Party-Regering absoluut daarop ingestel was om elke moontlike inligting oor die Suid-Afrika se kernnavorsing te bekom, het die verdagmakery van die media oor die kernooreenkoms met Wes-Duitsland onder meer daartoe gelei het dat die African National Congres (ANC) vertroulike dokumente in die Suid-Afrikaanse ambassade in Bonn gesteel het. Muller het dit gerade geag om nie kommentaar te lewer nie, moontlik omdat generaal Guenther Rall, Wes-Duitsland se verteenwoordiger in die militêre komitee van die Noord-Atlantiese Verdragsorganisasie (NAVO) se besoek aan die Raad op Atoomkrag se installasies by Pelindaba daarby betrokke was. Rall was oortuig van die strategiese belangrikheid van Suid-Afrika, berig Die Oosterlig (1975). Dié dagblad beweer ook dat hy hierdie oortuiging in NAVO-kringe in Brussel en in militêre kringe in Bonn uitgedra het. Dit was ‘n “diplomatieke verleentheid” vir die Wes-Duitse regering en Rall moes onder druk bedank toe die anti-Suid-Afrikaanse groepe ‘n bohaai daarvan gemaak het. Die Wes-Duitse Minister van Verdediging, George Leber, het egter verseker dat Rall se besoek aan die kernkraginstallasies by Pelindaba niks te doen het met sy afdanking nie en ook verseker dat die optrede nie teen Suid-Afrika gemik was nie. “Hy het daarop gewys dat ‘n soortgelyke besoek aan enige ander land wat nie lid van NAVO is nie, dieselfde gevolge sou gehad het” (Die Oosterlig 1975).
Al die antagonisme jeens Suid-Afrika moet dus nie so maklik oor die boeg van die wêreldwye onbeminde Apartheidsbeleid gegooi word nie, maar eerder in gedagte gehou word dat sy kerntegnologiese ontwikkeling, dié land midde in die magspolitiek van die Koue Oorlogse kernpolitiek geplaas het. Die Wes-Duitse episode het bewys dat die lande bereid is tot gewaagde onderhandelinge met Suid-Afrika, ongeag die gevolge. In die eeu van die kernverskrikking waar die ultimatum nooit verstryk nie, word politieke partye in lande gedwing om die volle verantwoordelikheid vir kernsamewerking te aanvaar. Wie dus met Suid-Afrika binne die era van magspolitiek wou onderhandel, moes dit dus uit ‘n absolute posisie van vrywillige gelykwaardigheid doen met al die noukeurige diplomatieke styl wat daarmee gepaard behoort te gaan (Vgl. Barnard 1979). Muller het die media vereker dat: “Enige bespiegeling dat Suid-Afrika van die Duitse metode vir uraanverryking gebruik maak, is totaal ongegrond…” (Hoofstad 1976).
Muller het die ekonomiese haalbaarheid van Suid-Afrika se uraanverrykingsnywerheid verder uitgebrei met Nasionalistiese Sjina (Taiwan), Israel en Suid-Amerikaanse lande. Maar intussen het die vendettas voortgeduur dat Suid-Afrika inderdaad besig is met die vervaardiging van kernwapens ”to be aimed at loud mouthed Afro Asiatic states” (Cervenka, Z en Rogers 1978: 556). Muller het opnuut herhaal dat Suid-Afrika nie fisiese konfrontasie wil hê nie en die Eerste Minister, adv. BJ Vorster, se bereidwilligheid benadruk om nie-aanvalsverdae met alle vredeliewende nie-kommunistiese state in Afrika aan te gaan (Volksraadsdebatte 1975). Ondanks al die versekeringe het die universele vendetta, soos Barnard (1980: 51) dit stel, uitgekring totdat Vorster op 24 Augustus 1977 tydens die Nasionale Party-kongres aan die wêreldgemeenskap gevra het: “ By what rights are they pressurizing South Africa …?” Later het hy vervolg dat die tyd aanbreek dat Suid-Afrika “…small as it is …” geen keuse sal hê om teenoor die wêreld te sê: “So far and no further, do your damnest if you so wish.”
SLOT BESKOUING:
Muller se diplomatieke strategie om die voordele van Suid-Afrika se unieke uraanverrykingsproses vir ekonomiese en tegnologiese ontwikkeling van die land en aan die wat daarin wou deel, voorop te stel, het die nywerheid ontsaglik bevoordeel in sy tydperk as Minister van Buitelandse Sake. Die aanwending vir elektriese kragopwekking en vredesdoeleindes oorskadu die gerugte in sy ampstermyn dat Suid-Afrika kernstrategiese minerale en sy gevorderde tegnologie gebruik het om ‘n kernwapenarsenaal op te bou. Dat Suid-Afrika wel later kernbomme vervaardig het, kan nie met sekerheid gestateer word dat Muller kennis daaroor gedra het in sy ampstermyn nie.
Verseker het die Amerikaanse wapenverbod, ondanks Suid-Afrika se militêre bydrae in die Koreaanse Oorlog, en die VN se Veiligheidsraadsbesluit van Augustus 1963, Suid Afrika se eie wapenindustrie gestimuleer wat op die einde deels te blameer is vir die uiteindelike vervaardiging van kernwapens. Vandag is die kernbomme afgetakel en gedeeltes van die laegraadse uraanverrykte onderdele is bes moontlik by Vaalputs in die Noord-Kaap begrawe. Vaalputs is van die min stortingsterreine vir laegraadse uraanverrykte afval in die wêreld. In dieselfde provinsie word ‘n moontlike tweede kernelektrisiteitsaanleg langs die Weskus beplan. Maar steeds word die vertroulikheid oor die ontwikkeling en toekoms van die Korrelbed-Modulêre Reaktor vir die opwekking van elektrisiteit gehandhaaf. Die mens op straat dra nie juis veel kennis van hierdie geheime wêreld nie, behalwe dat almal besef dat wanneer die elektriese ligte afgaan, dat die nasionale elektrisiteitsvoorsiener, ESKOM, nie langer kan voorbly met sy steenkoolaangedrewe kragstasies nie. Nuus oor alternatiewe kragbronne soos wind, oseaangetye, sonkrag en vele ander, word daagliks deur die media gedra, maar min word werklik oor die voordele van kernkrag gesê, behalwe oor die vrese dat uraanverrykte produkte in die hande van terroriste kan beland. Kernterreur spook sedert die eerste atoombomme op Hirosshima en Nagasaki afgegooi is. Dit en die radioktiewe besoedelingsaspek, sal solank as kernenergie self voortleef, versus die vreedsame aanwending daarvan soos deur dr.Hilgard Muller as destydse Minister van Buitelandse Sake gepropageer.

VERWYSINGS:
Barnard, L.D. 1978. Konflik en orde in Internasionale Verhoudinge. Perskor. Johannesburg.
Barnard, L.D. 1979. Die ultimatum wat nooit verstryk nie. Roeping en Riglyne. Vereniging vir Christelike Hoëronderwys. Bloemfontein. September.
Barnard, L.D. 1980. Die Totale Aanslag op die Republiek van Suid Afrika. Acta Academica. (13) Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Bloemfontein.
Botha, S.P. 1976. Ons Natuurlike Hupbronne. CR Swart Gedenklesing. (9). Departement Staatsleer. Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Bloemfontein. 10 September.
Cervenka, Z. en Rogers, B. 1978. The Nuclear Axis, Secret collaboration between West Germany and South Africa. Julian Friedman Books. Londen
De Beer, K.J. 1980. Ongepubliseerde doktorale proefskrif: Die Diplomatieke Strategie van Dr. Hilgard Muller teen die Totale Aanslag op die Republiek Van Suid Afrika. Promotor: prof. D.P. Wessels. Departementshoof: Staatsleer. Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Bloemfontein.
De Rivera. 1968. The Psychological Dimension of Foreign Policy. Charles E. Merril publishing Company. Ohio. USA.
Finlay, D.J. en Hovet, T. 7304: International Relations on the Planet Earth, Harper and Row. New York.
Hoofstad. 1975-10-08; 1976-10-08; 1976-12-23.
Huisgenoot (Die) 1979-04-12.
Instituut vir Eietydse Geskiedenis (INEG), 1976. Kasset nommers 91, 97, 144, 194, 215, 216-217, 659-662. Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Bloemfontein.
Kernaktief. 1972. Suid Afrikaanse Raad op Atoomkrag. Pretoria. Januarie.
Muller, H. 1964-1977. Diverse toesprake. Privaat versameling PV 528. Instituut vir Eietydse Geskiedenis. Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Bloemfontein.
Natal Mercury (The). 1974-09-05; 1974-09-09.
Oosterlig (Die). 1975-10-02.
Rand Daily Mail. 1972-06-10.
SA Media. 2009. Kernwapens en Obama. http://www.inch.uovs.ac.za Korrelbed Modulêre Reaktor. E-pos: prinsloH.BIB@ufs.ac.za Verkry op: 2009-11-20.
Star (The). 1975-09-09; 2009-08-03.
Transvaler (Die). 1974-09-05.
Volksblad (Die). 1979-04-17; 1979-05-22.
Volksraadsdebatte. 1966-09-23. Deel 17. Kolom 2912; 1968-05-29. Deel 34. Kolom 6428; 11969-05-07. Deel 27. Kolom 5590. 971-05-14. Deel 34. Kolomme 6904-6905; 1974-09-11. Deel 51. Kolom 2669 en 1975-04-24. Deel 56. Kolom 4832. Suid-Afrikaanse Parlement. Kaapstad.

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SPAIN's FAST TRAINS

2011-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

During my research visit to Spain, I used one of their fast trains from Barcelona to Malaga and was surprised by averages of over 300 kilometers per hour ! You can not actually judge the speed in the passenger coach by looking through the window because inside it is sound proof, comfortable, stylishly furnished and well air conditioned. However, on the digital speedometer one realises the real traveling speed. It took us within five hours to travel a distance of plus minus 900kilometers ! Traveling this way was easier and more cost effective than all the schlep to get to the airport et cetera. And because of my senior age (and looks), I purchased a ticket for senior travelers which was also very cost effective.

Being a railway child who grew up next to the railway tracks and traveled regularly on vacations, this train impressed me very much. My father, an ex-locomotive driver on steam engines used to tell me about the tremendous power of steam engines, but he could not speed on the narrow railway lines of the former South African Railways and Harbours (SAR&H). However, comparing trains in Europe and South Africa today, it is a real pity that the SA Government neglected the updating of the South African rail transport infrastructure and network. Especially to forestall the increasingly dangerous traffic situation on the South African roads. It becomes evident that the roads were not designed to carry such a huge number of users everyday. The dangerous potholes are evident that the provinccial and national government budgets and maintanace are falling apart. The solution will be to start developng a modern railway infrastructure.

Grave of De Beer in Boshof District, South Africa

2011-02-11T04:49:00.000-08:00

From: "De Beer Kallie"
Sent: Wed, 12/15/2010 3:57pm
To: "De Beer Kallie"
Subject: RE: The De Beer Family

Dear Diane

Thank you for your interest in my Blog. Yes, if you scroll around on the Blog, you will see the grave you are searching for. (I am using my Blog for a variety of uploads etc., but you will see the index on the side for specific information about the De Beers) It is next to the Free State Boarder and very near the town on the other side of the river, Christiana. The De Beers are still living on the adjacent farms. The farm with the grave of N De Beer belongs to somebody else, however, access is very open via Dirk De Beer who's two sons own the rest of the surrounding farms.

Please contact me when you want to visit the grave next year on my e-mail address: kbeer@cut.ac.za

Enjoy the festival season.

Karel (Kallie)
________________________________________
From: "De Beer Kallie"
Sent: Tue, 12/14/2010 11:41am
To: kbeer@cut.ac.za
Subject: FW: The De Beer Family

________________________________________
From: "Diane Stack"
Sent: Sun, 12/12/2010 10:32am
To: "De Beer Kallie"
Subject: The De Beer Family
Hi Karel

My husband found your details on your blog while researching details of the De Beer family.

My mother was the daughter of Cornelius Johannes De Beer who according to family sources was a son or grandson of Nicholaas Johannes De Beer. We have been searching for many years to establish where Nicholaas was buried, but have been stonewalled by many so-called “sources” of genealogy.

My grandfather, Cornelius Johannes De Beer, was married to Margaret Delaney. He fought in the Boer War in the Marico Kommando and I have his service medal.

They had three children, Jeunnesse, Lorraine and Cecilia (my mother). Jeunnesse married John Muller and they had five children, Margaret, Alida, Freek, Johnnie (deceased) and Neels. Lorraine married Irene and they had three children, Eric (the only living direct descendent of the “De Beers” on our side of the family), Eleanor and Janet. My mother married Ken Johnston and they had two children, Ivor (deceased) and myself. I am married to Ivor Stack and we live in Boksburg, Gauteng.

We would love to make contact with someone else from the De Beer clan and we would like to visit the grave in 2011. Our contact numbers are:

011 917 8058 (home), 079 932 8390 (Diane) and 082 900 8071 (Ivor).

Regards
Diane
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De Beer (of diamond fame) Grave

2011-02-11T04:47:00.000-08:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: De Beer Kallie
Date: Sat, Jan 8, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Subject: FW: [Karel de Beer] New comment on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER.
To: kareldebeer40@gmail.com

________________________________________
From: "Wendy SA"
Sent: Fri, 1/7/2011 12:46pm
To: "De Beer Kallie"
Subject: [Karel de Beer] New comment on GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER.

Wendy SA has left a new comment on your post "GRAVE OF "DIAMOND" DE BEER":

My name is Wendy de Beer, I cannot find any alternative contact details for you. If I would really appreciate some more info on my family that lived in Boshof before the Boer War. My email address is wmverweij@gmail.com
Thank you
Wendy

Posted by Wendy SA to Karel de Beer at Fri Nov 19, 05:50:00 AM PST
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RAIN EVERYDAY SINCE JANUARY 2011 IN BLOEMFONTEIN

2011-01-22T03:54:00.000-08:00

When you check Google Earth, Bloemfontein is situated in the average dry parts of South Africa, however, this year we really experienced a very wet summer. We can barely mow the lawn. Together with all the news of floods in Australia and elsewhere in the world, our media coverage is swamped with flood disasters in our country too. Meteorologists ascribe the weather patterns to all sorts of scientific explanations that one cannot dispute. Still the SA Government could seriously start to plan for more dams to manage the flood disasters. For example, to construct a huge dam in the Gariep (Oranje) river after the Vaal river enters it near Douglas. This dam can be controlled to open the sluices little by little to prevent the disasters lower down at Upington. Such a dam scheme can create work and irrigation projects to supply more food. It can also feed the lower arid parts in the Karoo. I am looking forward to comments on my idea.

RETIREMENT: 26 MAY 2011

2011-01-07T02:49:00.000-08:00

Excluding the compulsory leave days left and the official holidays, I am left with one full month of working days for the Central University of Technology, Free State only. On 26thMay 2011 I turn 65 years of age. Subsequently I am in the process to search for job opportunities in my field of experience (cf.my curriculum vitae in this Blog).Thus far, I was already contacted by private training organizations both in the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. I believe that I will shortly publish more about these new research fields as soon as I become more involved and active.

ICERI 2010

2010-11-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

ICERI 2010 CERIFICATE

2010-11-25T06:25:00.000-08:00

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF EDUCATION,RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

2010-11-25T06:18:00.000-08:00

HISTORY OF RECENT MILITARY FACTS ABOUT THE FORMER SANDF

2010-10-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

A PERSPECTIVE ON THE STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS
OF THE FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE

Author: Major General JA (Bertus) Steenkamp
Co-worker: Dr Karel J De Beer

ABSTRACT

Military operations claimed many lives on both sides of the Revolutionary War/Armed Struggle in South Africa. Operations on both sides were based on the national and military strategies of the South African Government and the Revolutionary Forces. On the SA Defence Force side, both Permanent Force members, as well as National Service Men, lost their lives. MK, APLA and SWAPO lost some of their best cadre’s and comrades. This created hate and division. Every life is valuable, and the loss of colleagues, family members, friends and comrades, are today regretted. However, it is necessary to take cognizance of the actual experiences of those soldiers that provide some valuable insight into their respective psychological attitudes. A former Minister of Defence, General Magnus Malan remarked in his submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee that the emotions generated by contact with enemy fire, the loss of comrades and the shock of land-mine detonations negatively influence the judgment of the most reasonable and rational individual. War, in whatever form, has a degrading effect on most civilest of men. Subsequently, when the new South African National Defence Force was established in the new political dispensation in 1994, former arch-foes accepted the new status quo in a spirit of reconciliation. This remarkable fact originates solely from battle experience and a mutual understanding of the circumstances of conflict on both sides.

1. INTRODUCTION
It is important to evaluate the strategies and operations of the South African Defence Force (SADF) against the time frame in which strategies were formulated, decision made and actions executed. It is easy to sit back today, in relative comfort and with plenty of time, and deliver judgment on the activities of the SADF and MK soldiers, or those who had to undertake the protection of the state, and having to do so under the most difficult and primitive circumstances. History has shown us that politicians in a politically overloaded atmosphere can more easily achieve reconciliation between military men from both sides, than. In many instances the soldier was required to make a split-second decision, based on his training and his evaluation of his security and the threat. Today we sit back and debate those decisions for hours.

We must guard against selective morality. During the Anglo-Boer War the British forces established concentration camps where innocent women and children were confined and where they died in their thousands, yet this action is not considered to be the precursor to Nazi concentration camps and is not commemorated annually as a crime against humanity. In evaluating the forces involved in the armed struggle in South Africa, it is important to approach the given situation with honesty and make a clear distinction between facts, propaganda and disinformation. Facts are undisputable truths.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the historical background to the SADF and to provide an insight into the situation prevailing in South Africa during the period of turmoil. This will be followed by an analysis of the National Strategy upon which the military strategy and operations of the SADF were based. The paper will conclude with an analysis of the propaganda, disinformation, accusations and blatant untruths aimed at the SADF during the so-called struggle years.

2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE

Since the late 1400’s explorers and traders sailed around the Cape of Good Hope but saw no need for a permanent presence at the foot of Africa. The first permanent European settlement was established in April 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck, as representative of the Dutch East India Company, established a halfway post providing produce to passing ships. A small garrison for local security was also stationed at the Cape. This force, however, proved to be too weak and in 1658 a burgher militia supplemented it. This militia gradually grew into the commando system, with mixed forces of burghers and regular soldiers operating in defence of the Cape settlement. In 1796 this force was further supplemented by a corps of indigenous people with the primary aim of deterring possible revolt on the part of the settlers. With the Great Trek the settlers took the commando system along with them, and this was to be the core of the military system of the two Boer Republics. (Bouch, 22) These commando’s, under their own burgher leaders, supported by two small artillery units, took on the British regular forces during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The best evidence of their abilities lies in the fact that some 20 000 mounted commando riflemen were able to keep 250 000 British troops fully occupied for three years. This history is well known (De La Rey, 1990, 25-33) With the British rule established in 1902 in the former Boer republics, the republican military system was abolished.

After unification in 1910 the question of a united defence force came forward, and in 1912, Act 13 of 1912 brought the Union Defence Force (UDF) into existence. The UDF relied heavily on the citizen warrior of one kind or another. For practical purposes there was hardly a standing force, barring a few regiments of the gendarmerie-style, a tiny army air component, called the South African Aviation Corps and a small number of professionals of the Permanent Force. (De la Rey, 25-30) The citizen soldiers who made up the entire combat component consisted of a number of Active Citizen Force (ACF) regiments which were organized for what would now be called conventional warfare; the usual support units and the Defence Rifle Associations (DRA), which were nothing other but a revival of the old-commando system. The UDF soon proved its worth when World War I broke out, followed by the 1914 Rebellion, the South West African campaign and the fighting in North and East Africa and in Europe. The period between the world wars saw the establishment of the Air Service (out of which the SA Air Force (SAAF) developed in 1920), and the SA Naval Force on 1 April 1922. During World War II the South African soldiers gave good account of themselves. After the war South African pilots assisted the allied forces in the “Berlin-airlift.” The SAAF and a small component from the SA Army were also involved in the Korean War. Shortly after World War II the DRA became the Rifle Commando’s and in 1951 a compulsory training clause for commando members was implemented for the first time in South Africa’s history. During the 1960’s the Cape Corps was re-activated, and the first non-white commissioned officers were appointed to the Permanent Force.

In 1957, Act 44 of 1957 superseded the old SA Defence Act of 1913. The designation of the UDF was changed to the South African Defence Force (SADF). A national service system was introduced, in terms of which all white males of a certain age were subject to universal full-time conscription for an initial period of nine months, which in 1967 became 12 months, and in 1977, 24 months. With this modus operandi South Africa followed an international trend, in which countries like the USA, Israel, Switzerland, Cuba, Republic of China, and even Angola had at one time or another a compulsory military service system (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 5-25). After the initial training a National Service Man (NSM) was posted to the Citizen Force, or commando units, where they were required to participate in a small number of annual refresher camps as well as a certain amount of non-continuous training in between. In 1992 the total strength of the Citizen Force in the SA Army was approximately 243 000, i.e 45% of army forces available for operations (SANDF Nodal point, 1997, 5-24).

3. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SA DEFENCE FORCE:

In terms of the SA Constitution the supreme command of the SA Defence Force was first vested in the Prime Minister and later in the State President, while the Minister of Defence was the political head of the Department of Defence. It was the responsibility of the Minister of Defence to ensure that the department functioned within the SA government’s political goals. The SA Defence Force was a monolithic (one-commander) organization under the military command of the Chief of the SADF (CSADF). He was accountable to the Minister of Defence for implementing the South African Government’s defence policy.

According to Act 22 of 1957 (as amended) the main functions of the SADF entailed:

• The defence of the RSA.
• The prevention or suppression of terrorism.
• The prevention or suppression of internal unrest in the RSA.
• The preservation of life, health and property and the maintenance of essential services.

The duty to maintain law and order in co-operation with the SAP was added in 1972, with the inclusion of sections 3 (5) and (6) of the Act.

To execute these functions the SA Defence Force was organised into four Arms of the Service, namely the SA Army, the SA Air Force, the SA Navy and the SA Medical Services (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 40):

• The SA Army was responsible for the national safety of the RSA and South West Africa (Namibia) in Army context, i.e. for landward defence;

• The SA Air Force (SAAF) was responsible to provide an air capability for attaining the security objectives of the RSA;

• The SA Navy was responsible to defend the RSA against maritime threats and attacks, to support landward operations and to assist safeguarding the maritime assets; and

• The SA Medical Services was responsible for the provision of medical, psychological, welfare and other related support to the SADF.

It is important to comment on the term “command.” Command is the executive function of management and the giving of orders (tasking) along the command line to subordinate commanders until the lowest level of command is reached. Depending on the task/operation Chief of the SADF could appoint a specific commander for that task or operation. However, in his capacity as Chief of the SADF, he remained responsible. (De Beer, 2009)

4. STRATEGICAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE THREAD PERCEPTION

The World Wars, in which the SADF, through its predecessor, the Union Defence Force, participated as part of the Allied Forces, are commonly known as conventional wars. Military forces confronting each other in uniform characterize these wars and the ultimate aim is to win the war and impose the winner’s political will on the enemy. After World War II another type of war, known as Revolutionary War developed (Arnold, 1961, 7). Revolutionary War became the major form of conflict in the second part of the 20th century and can be described as a modern adaptation of a conventional war, with the progressive application of political, economic and psychological resources, combined with varying degrees of violence and military action. Basically, a Revolutionary War is the pursuit of a political aim of an inspired and organized group inside a country, by all means available. Soldiers in a Revolutionary War do not wear uniforms, and are part and parcel of the population/masses. Success is achieved through the creation of instability and political intolerability by means of a war of attrition, thus producing a climate of political collapse or acceptance of a negotiated solution. The political aim of the instigators can be achieved without necessarily defeating their military opponents on the battlefield. Strategically, Revolutionary War is directed by an indirect strategy, where the revolutionary forces assume the tactical offensive at selected times and in selected forms and places. Armed action is used, but on a lower scale, while psychological actions are the major thrust. Violence, terror, propaganda and intimidation are the key ingredients to promote fear and instability to ensure support and to mobilise the population. (De Beer, 2009)

For the successful conduct of this type of war the revolutionary forces need an ally that can supply them with weapons, training and further their cause in the international arena. Lenin, who stated that these revolutionary conflicts could only develop effectively “in direct association with the revolutionary struggle of our Soviet Union”, originally, defined the Soviet Union’s attitude to such conflicts (SADF Nodal Point, 1997, 1-3) During the Cold War this became an integral part of the Soviet Union’s strategy for promoting communism globally. This led to solidarity with liberation movements amongst the peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America as collective action of international communist parties. (Kosukhin, 1989, 30-31)

POSITION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT
The South African Government perceived the threat posed by the Eastern block as real and allied itself with the West. In his submission to the TRC General Malan reiterated that the “threat was the expansion of Marxism by fomenting revolution in Southern Africa. Its aim was to overthrow the. …Governments in Southern Africa …”(Malan 1997,25). This perception of the threat was emphasized by the direct involvement of Russian and Cuban military personnel in Southern Africa. Russian aid to the MPLA (Angola) between 1974 and 1976 was estimated by Western military sources to have been in the region of 400 million US dollars and it grew to four billion dollars in 1987 (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 1-7) Known Cuban involvement in Africa dates back to 1965 when about 200 instructors were deployed in the Congo to train the MPLA for operations against the Portuguese in Angola. Their involvement in the Angolan conflict escalated from approximately 230 instructors in April 1975 to about 17 000 troops in March 1976. During the offensive against UNITA Cuban force levels increased to about 50 000 troops in December 1988 (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 1-7). On the other hand, the United States and other western countries provided aid to anti-communist movements. Up to 1975, the USA had covertly supplied an estimated 32 million US dollars worth in arms and other aid to the Liberation Movements in Angola (UNITA and the FNLA). (Hamman, 2001, 24-25) South Africa also supported the FNLA and UNITA in 1974/75 with the knowledge and support of the USA. However, in December 1975 the US Government suspended all support to the anti-Marxist liberation movements in Angola (Hamman, 2001, 24-25). Velthuizen, 1994,8)

In 1970 Mr P.W. Botha, the then Minister of Defence, reiterated that there was a global struggle between the forces of “communism on the one hand and the forces of stability, security and progress” on the other.” The perception of South Africa being “Moscow’s stepping stone to world conquest,” became the departure point for security related government policy. Therefore the aim of the SA Government was not only to counter the revolution in Africa, but also to halt the expansion of Soviet domination in Southern Africa (SANDF Nodal Point 1995, 4). Prime Minister P.W. Botha said in parliament that the onslaught exists in that there is, “under Marxist guidance, an onslaught on our institutions which, if they were to be destroyed, would cause chaos in this country” (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 6).

The SA Government saw the colonial governments in Angola, Rhodesia, and Mozambique as allies to counter “Soviet expansionism.” Therefore the SA government concluded defensive agreements with Portugal and Rhodesia. Units of the SA Police were dispatched to Rhodesia in September 1967: “…to fight against men who originally came from South Africa and were on their way back to commit terrorism in South Africa”( SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 4). Of more practical importance was the fact that these states (Angola, Mozambique and Rhodesia) formed an effective buffer against direct foreign intervention by force. The strategy was to keep the “defence line” as far as possible away from South Africa itself. (De Beer, 2009)

This situation changed drastically with the independence of Rhodesia, Angola and Mozambique and the need to redefine a national strategy arose. In parliament it was stressed that the only counter-strategy with any hope of success against a total onslaught, was also a total strategy – total resistance would have to be offered, fragmentary and ad hoc efforts in any sphere would be futile and pointless. All national groups and inhabitants of the South African subcontinent would have to resist the onslaught on a national basis in all spheres. This total national strategy was described: “as the process of ensuring and maintaining the sovereignty of a state’s authority in a conflict situation … the conflict … demands interdepartmental and co-ordinated actions in all fields – military, psychological, economic, political, sociological, technological, diplomatic, ideological and cultural.” (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 5). In March 1980, the Cabinet approved the first extensive national strategy, titled, Boek 1/Beleid: Die RSA se Belange en die RSA-Regering se Doel, Doelstellings en Beleid vir ordelike Regering (Book 1/Policy: The RSA’s Interests and the RSA Government’s Aim, Objectives and Policy for stability in Government). This document sets out the philosophy of the South African government. Arising from the threat analysis, the national aims, objectives and policy, the security goal was to ensure the security of South Africa against any threats. The strategy emphasized that the RSA had no aggressive intentions towards its neighbours, but that the RSA’s posture was of an offensive nature and would, through pro-active actions, ensure its national security.

5. THE NATIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

In order to ensure co-ordinated and integrated joint planning by all the Government Departments, the SA Government established, in terms of Act 64 of 1972, the State Security Council (SSC) and the National Management System (NMS) (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995 ; Malan 2006, 208). The SSC was a statutory Cabinet Committee with the function of advising the Government on the formulation of national policy and strategy, as well as the implementation of such policy and strategy (SANDF Nodal Point 1995, 9). The SSC was chaired by die Prime Minister and later the State President. It is important to note that the State Security Council Act only provided the SSC with an advisory function, and all recommendations and advice were referred to the Cabinet for ratification and/or further action (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 11).

In accordance with the national strategy a high degree of orchestration and co-ordination was required countrywide. Therefore, the National Security Management System, based on the national strategy of co-ordination between departments, was decentralized to regional level. A regional Joint Management Centrum (JCM) was established to ensure that all actions were directed at achieving the national goal. The different departments were responsible for the execution or implementation of their departmental line functions within the national strategy and regional planning. (De Beer, 2009)

6. STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

The security forces were the SA Government’s official instruments, created in terms of the SA Constitution, with the aim of protecting the sovereignty of the State, its territorial integrity and its people. The security forces, including the SADF, were the forces employed in countering the armed struggle. It was expected of them to maintain law and order and create a stable environment in which the RSA Government could bring about evolutionary change in the country.

In order to implement the government’s policy it was necessary for the SADF to adapt to the escalation and changes in the armed struggle. In this regard the independence of the so-called frontline states, Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique, as well as the escalation of the revolutionary climate in South Africa played a major role. The frontline states provided safe bases for the ANC cadre’s and other liberation forces. From 1976 onwards, Angola became the main training centre for the ANC with Lusaka as the main operational centre. After 1978 Mozambique became the pivot for armed action against the RSA with regional headquarters being established in Botswana, Swaziland, and Lesotho (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 1-12). SWAPO operated from bases in Angola.

The government of the RSA and the SADF were, however, determined not to loose the initiative in the immediate external or tactical area, thereby being forced onto a defensive position. The lengthy borders, as well as the extent and isolation of the border areas, made it impossible to rely solely on a defensive posture. There would never have been enough military manpower to protect the population and infrastructure in all areas. Therefore the support for UNITA (Angola) and RENAMO (Mozambique) in the seventies and the eighties formed an integral part of the SADF military strategy. The support for UNITA included humanitarian aid, military support and financial support. UNITA operations were most of the time exaggerated and blamed on the South Africans (Steenkamp 1989, 212).

The Angolan Government allowed SWAPO insurgents and ANC cadre’s to operate from Angolan territory, and SADF directed several operations aimed at pre-empting planned actions. There is a belief that hundreds of external operations took place, but formal, deliberate and planned external operations are probably numbered less than a dozen. Most external operations (Namibia/Angola) were also much smaller than generally realized. It is estimated that about 3 000 men were involved in any external operations (Steenkamp 1989).

The SADF categorized external operations as:

• Pre-emptive Operations;
• Hot Pursuit Operations;
• Area Operations (Protection);
• Retaliation and Deterrence Operations; and
• Disruptive Operations.

With the signing of the New York Agreement in December 1988, the support for UNITA was restricted to humanitarian aid, verified by the SA Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations. Support to RENAMO was terminated with the signing of the Nkomati Accord in 1984. Contacts between South African officials and RENAMO after 1984 were aimed at convincing RENAMO to go for a political solution (Hamman2001, 107).

The Revolutionary Forces’s safe bases in the neighbouring countries posed a real threat to RSA’s security and stability. General Malan, the Minister of Defence, summed up the government’s view in this regard as follows: “… there is no controlled neutral zone between the RSA and the host countries…. The result is that the enemy is able to establish and operate its bases, arms depots and logistical routes close to the borders of the RSA, with the approval of the host country concerned. This means that the enemy can cross the border to lay landmines, kidnap and intimidate … and then within a few hours return to the host country, where he is unassailable. No government in the world can afford a situation of this nature. Consequently, when the situation arises, the SADF has no other option than to launch pre-emptive operations across the border in order to destroy bases, depots and logistical routes and in a way to discourage enemy action. Neighbouring countries must consequently realise that we have the right to act….. and we will do so...” (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997,1-13). Specific guidelines for cross border operations against enemy targets were formally adopted by the State Security Council, with subsequent approval by Cabinet, and were from time to time reviewed. The Minister of Defence and Chief of the SADF adhered to these guidelines. External operations were executed in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Lesotho (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 3-6). It is important to note that external operations could not be conducted without governmental (political) approval. (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 3-6).

In the early eighties the MK (ANC) realised that they could not succeed with a classical rural revolutionary war in South Africa. The bases in the neighbouring states were just too far from South Africa’s heartland to be effective. Therefore they decided to operate from inside the country. Mr. Mbeki, as a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC, formulated the ANC’s position as follows: “We can’t fight a bush war in South Africa. We do not have forests. The military machine would smash us if we tried to send in an army from outlying areas. Our masses have to serve as our bush. The Black community is our bush” (SANDF Nodal Point 1997, 33). In 1985 an ANC conference at Kabwe, Zambia, decided that the distinction between “hard” and “soft” targets should disappear. This coincided with slogans like “make the country ungovernable” and “freedom before education” (Majola, 1986, 55; Umsebenzi, 1989). The result was that nearly 400 persons in South Africa were “necklaced” and another 370 died when persons or homes were doused with fuel and set alight. More than 7 000 private homes and 1700 schools were destroyed or severely damaged. In only one year (1985/1986) rioting caused damage of approximately R90 million. The role of the SADF changed dramatically - simply stated, particularly as perceived by the lower echelons of the SADF, it was a change from an offensive shooting war against an armed and normally identifiable enemy to the protection of lives and property and virtual peace keeping in a hostile environment concealing an unidentifiable enemy (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 3-36 ;).

In July 1985 the SA Government felt compelled to declare a state of emergency in terms of the Public Safety Act of 1953 in 36 magisterial districts and the security forces were given increased powers to deal with the situation (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 55). In July 1986 a national state if emergency was declared. This was extended annually until 1989. Mr P.W. Botha said it was the duty of the state to ensure that a stable and normal community life be re-established and that the situation be normalized in such a way that the climate for continued dialogue be ensured (SANDF Nodal point, 1995, 55). The Minister of Defence reiterated that the government was determined to ensure the RSA’s security. This resulted in a strategy based on support to the SA Police and on defensive and protective tasks. In short, the security forces (SA Police and SADF) had to maintain law in order to provide a timeframe for negotiations.

Because of the nature of the internal struggle and revolutionary strategy to make the country ungovernable, the SADF found itself increasingly involved in civic action-projects as part of the socio-psychological component of the conflict. In this regard the SADF deployed:

• medical doctors to provincial hospitals. Medical orderlies formed part of patrols and provided basic medical care;

• National Servicemen with educational qualifications to the Department of Education to help with education; and

• National Servicemen to the Department of Water Affairs to assist with projects in respect of water provision. In Natal up to 58 emergency water points were manned on a daily basis.

The following are examples of SADF operations in support of the SA Police (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 63-66):
• 1980 – 1993: Roadblocks;
• 1980 – 1993: Riot Control and Area Protection;
• 1980 – 1993: Protection of vulnerable areas and targets such as schools, school buses and industries;
• 1980 -1993: Curfews;
• 1981 –1993: Protection of National Key Points;
• 1985 –1993: Border Control;
• 1989: Safeguarding of the election on 6 September 1989;
• 1993: Protection at the World Trade Centre (CODESA); and
• 1994: Ensuring stability during the democratic elections in 1994.
SADF delivered ballot papers.

The SADF members were never trained to be policemen. The tasks allotted to the SADF were in accordance with its capabilities and limitations. The development of the revolutionary war impacted upon the SADF in the sense that the SADF had to adopt measures to deploy efficiently amongst the population. Because of the politically volatile situation on the one hand and the suitability/capability of the SADF on the other hand, the SADF was allotted the preventive/defensive type of tasks in operations. Although the SADF co-operated with all departments and other role players in joint planning and joint execution, the SADF troops served under their own commanders and accepted full responsibility for the execution of allotted operations or tasks. In the national management context each department acted in accordance with the mandate and budget of its department. The SADF observed this principle and never infringed on the terrain of the SAP or other departments in this regard (SANDF Nodal Point, 1995, 3-37).

7. PROPAGANDA, DISINFORMATION AND PERCEPTIONS

Propaganda, even disinformation, played a major role in the Cold War and subsequently the Revolutionary War (armed struggle) in Southern Africa. Andrew Christopher in his book on the KGB stated clearly that “the key to Soviet influence in Africa during the 1980’s remained the racist government in Pretoria” (Christopher, 1990, 530) According to the USA’s Department of State the aim of Soviet propaganda was to influence public opinion against South Africa. This entailed the dissemination of facts, arguments, half-truths or lies (USA Department of State, 1985, iii). Today we can laugh at some of the propaganda themes, but during the armed struggle they were real. For example, in 1988 it was alleged that the USA manufactured the AIDS virus in a US military facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland (Wick, 1988, 2).

In accordance with the ANC’s strategy, their propaganda was aimed at the “seizure of power” and to discredit the security forces. (Steenkamp, 1991,23; Radio Freedom) Therefore the SADF was the target for numerous propaganda campaigns. In the eighties it was alleged that South Africa has conducted wide-ranging research into chemical weapons “that affect only black-skinned people”. On 25 May 1984 it was added that this ethnic weapon could kill “an African, or Indian, a Chinese or Arab.” In the same report it was alleged that the SADF was testing the weapon on Namibians.” (Steenkamp, 1991, 23) In 1972 Andreas Shipanga, founder member of SWAPO, brought a TV crew to Namibia/Angola to see a village wiped out by the SADF. In his memoirs he acknowledges that this was one of SWAPO’s best scams, because it was the remains of the colonial war (Amstrong, 1989, 130-137).

The following are a selection of the perceptions still doing the rounds in South Africa today:

• Members of the SADF (and later the SANDF) do not support the process of Transformation and Reconciliation: On 30 August 1997, the Infantry Society hosted a Symposium on the SADF and Transformation. Serving and retired members of the force attended the Symposium. A motion adopted at its conclusion reads: The symposium express its unequivocal support for the process of reconciliation now taking place in South Africa and which must continue to take place. As in the past, we as former SADF members – shall continue to lend our full co-operation to the creation of a peaceful state for all its inhabitants. However, the symposium expresses its concern and dismay that over the unfair and apparently one-sided process by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Schalkwyk, 1997, 85);

• The SADF was the military arm of the Nationalist Party: The SADF, like the Union DF before it, never saw itself as the military arm of any political party. This is foreign to South Africa’s military culture and heritage. Since 1912, the UDF/SADF has served under numerous governments of differing persuasions, and, it is the military, more than the political parties, that has survived and continues to serve the country.

• The SADF defended Apartheid: The SADF never saw its role as maintaining or defending apartheid. The SADFsaw itself as being responsible for the defence of the country and its entire people and saw its role according to the military strategies of the time and in relation to the threat analyses, its responsibilities and its capabilities. More importantly, it was the SADF that warned the polical leaders that the solution to the conflict in South Africa was not to be sought through military means, but by political restitution. As early as 1981 the then Chief of the SADF reiterated in a briefing to the Cabinet it was incumbent on them to take the sting out of the revolution (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 1-23). General Malan, the then Minister of Defence, stated in parliament on 17 May 1981, “it is not the task of the South African Defence Force or Armscor to impose a specific political model for the country (Malan 1997, 12);

• The SADF was above the Law: At no stage was it the official policy of government that the SADF or its members were above the law (De Beer 2009). When Lieutenant-General Joffel van der Westhuizen was accused of ordering the murder of Goniwe and others, he was on trail in the high court in Port Elizabeth for almost one year (1992). During the amnesty process several policemen applied for amnesty for these murders. (De Beer, 2009) Furthermore, the military did not attempt a so-called “silent coup’ in order to play the predominant role. The members of the SADF clearly understood that the SADF could only be part of a solution, and not an end in itself. The SADF did not function in a vacuum, or of its own designs. It operated with adequate direction from the government and Parliament.

• The SADF managed a covert Third Force: There are constant allegations that the SADF was involved in the creation of a sinister and shadowy body, the so-called Third Force. Despite the persistent propaganda to the contrary, no Third Force ever existed. During 1985 the possibility was investigated to establish a Third Force (next to the SAP and the SADF) “which task would exclusively be to deal with unrest and counter revolutionary matters.” (Malan, 1997,51) The matter was discussed but never accepted or implemented. In the early nineties the phrase Third Force was once again created and ascribed to Military Intelligence Division (MID). The so-called Steyn Report further strengthened this perception. Lieutenant-General Steyn was appointed by the then State President, F.W de Klerk in November1992 to investigate the intelligence activities of the SADF (SANDF Nodal point 1997, 6-3; De beer 2009). Two days earlier Judge Goldstone (16 Nov 92) raided the offices of a MID covert collection office in Pretoria. He was of the opinion that he found the heart of the Third Force. In December 1992 Steyn briefed the State President and in the light of the negotiations with the ANC, Mr De Klerk decided to act decisively and gave instructions that 23 officers should be dismissed. Investigations by the SA Police and Attorney General of the Transvaal found “no evidence….. not even a shred that could be accepted in a court of law” (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 6-12 ; De Beer 2009). Several officers wrote a letter to the State President requesting a Court Martial to clarify the aspects, which they were being accused. This was not done and civil applications were instituted. The cases were settled out of court (De Beer 2009). Major-General Chris Thirion was not interested in money and requested a press statement by Mr de Klerk clearing his name and reputation. This was done.
• Koevoet was a part of the SADF. This perception is also incorrect. The former SA Police established Koevoet in 1979 and was not part of the SA Army. (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 6-3).

8. CONCLUSION:

In conclusion it needs to be stressed that the SADF was a professional, disciplined and well trained force. Those who served in the SADF were honorable and decent men and women. In the Additional Submission to the TRC the former Chiefs of the SADF took responsibility for the SADF actions and stated clearly that they “will in no way … load it on the shoulders of our subordinators where they carried out their tasks with discipline and in the execution of our instructions – and in the same way we will not follow the dishonorable path to pass all responsibility upwards to the politicians” (SANDF Nodal Point, 1997, 9). General Malan said in his submission to the TRC, “I respect them (SADF soldiers) and shall stand by them. I do not expect you to necessarily agree with all that was done by the SADF. Neither do I expect the family and friends of people who died in SADF operations to forget. My appeal to you and to them is only to accept the bona fides of the members of the SADF involved. I hold no brief to speak on behalf of MK, but I am prepared to accept that, as an organization, it also acted bona fide in the furtherance of its ideals.... We have to accept, that, irrespective of the methods used, both sides performed their duties, bona fide, in what they perceived to be service to their respective political masters.” (MALAN, 1997

The struggle claimed many lives on both sides of the struggle. On the SADF side, both Permanent Force members, as well as National Service Men, lost their lives. MK, APLA and SWAPO lost some of their best cadre’s and comrades. This created hate and division. Every life is valuable, and the loss of colleagues, family members, friends and comrades, are regretted. The actual experience of a soldier gives some insight into his psychological attitude. General Malan said in his submission to the TRC: “The emotions generated by contact with enemy fire, the loss of comrades and the shock of land-mine detonations negatively influence the judgment of the most reasonable and rational individual. War, in whatever form, has a degrading effect on most civilest of men. On the other hand, one experiences the apparently strange anomaly that, although opposing forces in war zealously strive to destroy each other, they, shortly after cessation of hostilities, exhibit an incomprehensive propensity to accept and forgive. This is precisely what has happened here in South Africa. Members of the SADF, MK and APLA shortly after the democratic elections worked shoulder to shoulder, as comrades-in arms, towards the success of the SA National Defence Force – the past forgotten” (Malan 1997). This originates solely from battle experience and a mutual understanding of the circumstances of conflict. Subsequently this characteristic assisted the new South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to establish a peacekeeping operational force in collaboration with other international organizations (United Nations) and militia (De Montfort, 2007).

• We salute the fallen in the Revolutionary War (armed struggle) in Southern Africa ! Let us remember them…
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amstrong, S. 1989. In search of Freedom. The Andreas Shipanga Story. Gibraltar: Ashanti Publishing.

Arnold, T. 1961. Der Revolutionaire Krieg. Pfaffenhofen. Verlag Pfaffenhofen

Bouch,RJ. (Red) 1977. Infantry in South Africa. Pretoria. Documentation Service of the SADF.

Christopher, A. & Gordievsky, O. 1990. KGB – The Inside Story. New York: Harper Perennial..

De Beer, KJ. 2009. Interview with Major General J.A. (Bertus) Steenkamp (Rtd).

De Montfort, PJ. 2007. A Model of Co-operative Education on Peace Support Operations in Africa. Unpublished D Tech Dissertation. Central University ogf Technology, Free State. (http://www.aherouwc..ac.za Retrieved: 2010-06-06).

Geldenhuys, J. 1999. Die wat Wen – ‘n Generaal se storie uit ‘n era van Oorlog en Vrede.Pretoria. Protea Boekhuis.

Gromyko,A. 1988. International Congress of African Studies. Africa in Soviet Studies, Annual 1988. Moscow. Nauka Publishers ,

Hamman, H. 2001: Days of the Generals. Cape Town: Zebra Press.

Kosukhin, N.D.1989. The Historic Importance of Socialist Orientarion. Africa in Soviet Studies, Annual 1988. Moscow. Nauka Publishers ,.

Majola, S.1986: The Beginnings of People’s Power. The African Communist, No 106, Third Quarter.

Malan, M.A. de M. 1997. Submission to the TRC. Pretoria. Unpublished.

Malan, M.A.de M. 2006. My lewe saam met die SA Weermag. Pretoria. Protea Boekhuis.

Radio Freedom, 2 March 1990. Voice of the ANC and Umkhonto We Sizwe, the People’s Army.

SANDF Nodal Point. 1995. (First) Submission to the TRC IRO the former SADF. Pretoria. Unpublished

SANDF Nodal Point. 1997. Additional Submission to the TRC with regard to the former SADF 1997. Unpublished.

Schalkwyk, P. 1997. Minutes of the Infantry Symposium 30 August 1997. Pretoria. Unpublished.

Steenkamp, J.A. 1976. Die Verdedigingstelsel van die Vrystaatse Republiek, 1854-1899. Ongepubliseerde MA.UV.

Steenkamp, W. 1989: South Africa’s Border War. Gibraltar: Ashanti Publishing Ltd.

Steenkamp, J.A. 1991. Disinformation - The War of Words. Armed Forces.

Südafrikanische Kommunistischen Partei. 1984: Dokumente zur Geschichte, 1915-1980. Berlin. Dietz Verlag.

Turkatenko, A. 1979. South African Imperial Plots and Miscalculations. Novosti Press Agency. Moscow.

Umzebenzi, 1989. Pamphlet.

US Department of State 1985, Contemporary Soviet Propaganda and Disinformation. Virginia. Airlie.

Velthuizen, A.G. 1994. Applying Military Force for Political Ends in South Western Africa. Ongepubliseerde MA, UNISA.

Wick, C.K. 1988. Soviet Active Measures in the Era of Glasnost. Washington. United States Information Agency.

SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE: INTELLIGENCE

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SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE

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SHORT COURSE IN EXCEL: CUT; BFX

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SESOTHO SHORT COURSE (Southern Sotho)

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LECTURER TRAINING; UNIVERSITY OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE

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RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITY WITWATERSRAND

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RESEARCH AWARD: FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT

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TEACHING CERTIFICATE: BFN TEACHER's TRAINING COLLEGE

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TEACHING CERTIFICATE: BFN TEACHER's TRAINING COLLEGE

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UNIVERSITY OF THE ORANGE FREE STATE BA CERTIFICATE

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BA (HONS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOFS)

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MA DEGREE: DR DF MALAN AS MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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PhD THESIS: SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS

2010-10-27T04:49:00.000-07:00

CURRICULUM VITAE: DR KAREL J DE BEER

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CURRICULUM VITAE

Doctor Karel Johannes De Beer

FEBRUARY 2011

CURRICULUM VITAE

Doctor Karel Johannes De Beer
(Ph.D: MA (cum laude) BA Hons: (H.P.T.C)

Surname De Beer

First Names Karel Johannes

Residential Address 6 Bruwer Street
Fichardtpark
Bloemfontein
9301

Postal Address Private Bag X20539
BLOEMFONTEIN 9300

Email and Blog Address kbeer@cut.ac.za; and www.kareldebeer.blogspot.com

Telephone Number 082 789 7357

Date of Birth 1946/05/26

Identity Nr 4605265003089 - South African Citizen

Gender Male

Marital Status Married

Drivers Licence Yes

Language Proficiency Afrikaans/English/Dutch (Reading knowledge of German)

Health Good

Academic History

Secondary Schooling

School J.B.M Hertzog High School
Years Attended 1959-1963
Qualifications Obtained Matric
Subjects Afrikaans, English, German Special (for University exemption), History, Science, Geography and Book keeping

Tertiary Education

Institution Bloemfontein Teacher's Training College
Years Attended 1967-1969
Qualification Obtained Student in English and Woodwork courses
Higher Secondary Education Diploma, Technical subjects.
Subjects Afrikaans, English, Technical Drawing, Woodwork, History of Pedagogy, History, Geography, Nature study, Education and Religion, Psychology

Institution University of the Free State
Years Attended 1974
Qualification Obtained BA
Subjects Political Science III, Bible Studies III, Afrikaans Netherlands I, German I, English I, Geography I, Psychology I

Institution University of the Free State
Years Attended 1974
Qualification Obtained BA Honours 1974.
Subjects International Relations
State Philosophy
Politocology

Institution University of the Free State
Years Attended 1978
Qualification Obtained MA (cum laude)
Title Dr DF Malan as Minister for Foreign Affairs

Institution University of the Free State
Years Attended 1980
Qualification Obtained Ph.D.;
Title The Diplomatic Strategy of Dr Hilgard Muller as Minister for Foreign Affairs against the Total Onslaught of the Republic of South Africa.

Further In-Service Training

 Management Course for School Head Masters, Education Centre, Bloemfontein 26 May 1988.
 Special Joint Course (16/90) at the SANDF- College, Pretoria, 7-18 May 1990.
 Orientation course for newly-appointed lecturers, Bureau for Academic Support, University Free State, Bloemfontein 20-25 February 1992.
 Course on Research Methods (EXPD 701), Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 11-13 May 1992 and 8-10 June 1992.
 Courses in Southern Sotho, Nov 1995 and May – July 2002, Technikon Free State.
 Short attendance courses in MS Word, Power point and Excel.
 Accredited Certificate Course for Distance Education Practitioners NQF Level 5 (120 Credits) UNISA. Student number 7171-003-5 CDEPO1-Q (With Distinction)
 Assessors Course, NQF Level 5, Tsela Training Consultants, 2008-08-25, Bloemfontein, Certificate number: AC/08/OAO1942, EDTP SETA.
 Moderators Course, NQF Level 5, Seoposengoe Training Consultancy, Certificate number: 2008/11/DRKAJO/MOD SOR number198405, EDTP SETA.
 Registered at the Local Government Sector Education Training Authority (LGRS-A1101-1431);
--ETQA ID 597;
-- Qualification ID’s 50205 & 48965.

Membership of associations and appointments

Public Relations Institute of South Africa (1989-1992).
Political Science Association of South Africa (1990-2000).

South African Academy for Science and Arts (1980-2002).

Strategic Management Society of South Africa (Johannesburg 1990).

SA Association for Research and Development in Higher Education (Co-ordinator for Distance Education Research in the Free State and Northern Cape regions, (1991-1996).

\National Research Foundation, Human Science Research Council, Pretoria, (1995- 2005). Log in 460 526 5003 08 9 NRF Online Support.

Executive Management of the National Distance Education Organisation of South Africa (NADEOSA) Co-ordinator of the National Forum for Satellite Campus Directors and Regional Learning Centre Managers (2000- 2005) .

Interim board director: Harmony Jewellery School (2002-2003).

Category C-member: “Erfenisstigting” (2004 - present).

Governmental appointments

Founder member of the Technikon of the Orange Free State and appointed by the Minister of National Education as the First Secretary of the Board of Control, 1979-1981.

Main co-ordinator of the literature study group for Political Science as a school subject on the ad hoc curriculum committee of the Department of Education and Culture, 1986-1989.

Research member of the Commission for Distance Education in the Northern Cape, Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA), November 1994.

Research projects

Oral history in South African Politics and SA Foreign Relations (1910-1977).

The Free Enterprise System in South Africa, 1978.

Bibliographies on South African Political History in the Periodical Literature since 1902.

Youth Preparedness curriculum for the Orange Free State Department of Education 1984-1989.

Political risk analyses in Southern Africa (1989-1991).

Institutional Self-evaluation in Higher Education (1991).

UNESCO-project (UNITWIN) on Higher Level Distance Teaching for Technikons in Southern Africa; Lesotho and Mozambique (1993-2000).

Quality Assurance in Higher Education (1993-2004).

The Training and Research Programme of Correspondence Instruction in Peace-keeping Operations for Africa, United Nations Institute for Training and Research with special focus on political literacy (civil education) for communities in southern Africa. (1997 – 2009).

Conflict resolution via Open and Distance E-Learning (ODEL) and Open Education Resource (OER) support in open civil education (Political Literacy) community programmes in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada.

Book publications with International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN)

Secondary works (Afrikaans titles):

Co-author: The National Party, Part 4, 1934-1940, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, 1986.

Co-author: Gen. JBM Hertzog - His Strife and Struggle, Volumes 2 + 1, Johannesburg, 1987.

Co-worker: The South African Biographical Dictionary, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, 1984-1985.

Author: Diplomatic Schooling of the Youth in South Africa, Acta Academica, UOFS, Bloemfontein, 1987.

Author: A Pocket Guide to Black Political Groupings, Cape and Transvaal Book Printers, Parow, 1991 (ISBN 0-620-15707-0).

Co-worker: Published report of the biennial congress of the South African Association for Research into Higher Education, Bloemfontein, September, 1992.

Co-worker: A Guidebook for Teaching-Learning Assistants in the Guardian Tutor
Programme, Bureau for Academic Support, University Free State, February 1993.

Co-worker: Technikon Free State – A Historical Structural Analysis. A Case Study in Philosophical Ideas. Political and Philosophical Influences on Technological Higher Education. Lategan, L. and Smit, K. (editors) The Landscape for Ideologies in South African Higher Education: Context and Contents. Number Two. Technikon Free State. Bloemfontein. ISBN: 0-620-24812-2.

Co-author : Learning to live Together: using distance education for community peacebuilding. Editors: T. Munro (Common wealth of Learning) and R. Baksh (IDRC) Publisher: Commonwealth of Learning. 1055 West Hasting Street, Vancouver. Web: www.col.org ISBN 978-1-894975-35-3.

Publications in international journals in selected conference papers, cd-rom with on line references, magazines and newspapers

NB: *ACCREDITED PUBLICATIONS ARE INDICATED WITH AN ASTERISK *

Altogether 25 academic articles were published respectively before 1990 in the Journal for Contemporary History, Creata, Acta Diurna Historica, Acta Academica, Parade and various other Afrikaans educational periodicals).

 De Beer, KJ: Editor of the Journal for Contemporary History,* UOFS, 1982-1983.
 De Beer, KJ: Representative of the Orange Free State Department of Education for Creata, journal for gifted child education in South Africa, 1987-1989.
 De Beer, KJ. 1984. "The Geneva Conference on South West Africa/Namibia of January
1981", Journal of Contemporary History*, is quoted by the Official Year Book of the Republic of South Africa, 1984, p. 275.
 De Beer KJ on editorial staff: Learning and Teaching, UOFS, 1991-1993.
 De Beer KJ on editorial And Research Committee, South African Journal Of Higher Education*, Bureau for University Teaching, University of South Africa, Congress Edition, 1992.
• De Beer, KJ. 2006- 2007. Co-worker for the internal magazine of the Unit for Academic Development, WHAT’s UP?. Central University of Technology, Free State.

De Beer, K.J. 1984. "Constitutional Development in the Republic of South Africa", *World Review*, Volume 23 no, University of Queensland, Australia. August, 3.

De Beer, K.J. 1986. "Netherlands and South Africa", in No Church Money for Violence (Dutch title), Volume, 34, Amsterdam, Holland. September.

De Beer, K.J. 1987. “The Total Onslaught on South Africa", *World Review*, vol. 26 no. Australia. June. (The paper was published by the University of Queensland, Australia, after it could not be delivered to the American Security Council Foundation, Boston, Virginia, due to the USA boycott on South Africa during that period).

De Beer, K.J. 1992. “Institutional Self-Evaluation", Review in Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education*, no. 2, Ruttonjee House, Hong Kong. September.

De Beer, KJ. 1992. Introduction of the lecturer and tutor development programme at the University of the Orange Free State (South Africa). Discourse. Newsletter of the TLSC, Rhodes University. 3(ii), pp.2-19.

De Beer, KJ. 1992. Onderwysgroep bereik mylpaal. Democracy in Action. Journal of the Institute for a Democratic Alternative for South Africa, 6 (vii), pp. 27.

De Beer, KJ. 1992. Mondelinge Evalueringspraktyk. Didaktikom. Blad vir Universiteitsonderwys. Potchefstoomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys, 13(i), pp. 17-21.
De Beer, K.J. 1993. “Guidelines for the use of Oral Evaluation", NASD, *Journal of the National Association for Staff Development*, No. 29, Southgate College, London. June.

De Beer, K.J. 1994. "A Form of Distance Teaching At the Technikon OFS, Qwaqwa and Northern Cape" in Adey, D., et al. State of the Art in Higher Education, Ninth biennial congress of the SA Association for Research into Higher Education, Cape Town, June.

De Beer, K.J. 1995. "Educational Development through the Community College in a Developing Region of South Africa", *Community College Journal of Research and Practice* Volume 19, No 2, University of North Texas, United States of America. March.

De Beer, K.J. 1995. "Distance (contact) teaching at the Technikon OFS branches." in Selected conference papers of the 17th World Conference of the International council for Distance Education, Birmingham, United Kingdom. June.

De Beer, K.J. 1995. "An Introduction to bridging education at the Technikon Free State" in Putting the Student First; Learner-Centred Approaches in Open and Distance Learning, Open University of East Anglia, Cambridge, United Kingdom, July.

De Beer, K.J. 1996. “Quality Assurance in Distance Education Programmes at Technikon Free State” in Quality Assurance in Distance Education, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, September.

De Beer, K.J. 1997. “UNESCO’s UNITWIN-project for Distance Teaching in Southern Africa” in Selected papers on CD-ROM of the ICDE*, Penn State USA, June.

De Beer, K.J. 1997. “A Case Study of the Convergence between Distance and Conventional Education” (Co-worker of Le Roux, P G) in Collected Conference Papers; The Convergence of Distance and Conventional Education: Patterns of Flexibility for the Individual Learner, Open University Cambridge, United Kingdom, September.

De Beer, K.J. 1998. “UNESCO and Higher Distance Education in Sub-Saharan Africa” in On the Threshold, published conference papers of the World Federation of Technology Organisations 1998 International Symposium, Cape Technikon and UNESCO, Cape Town.

De Beer KJ. 1998. in *The International Who’s Who in Distance Learning*, Verlag Publishers, Am Hofgarten, Bonn.

De Beer, K.J. 1999. “Learner Support in Course Delivery At the Technikon Free State and Technikon Southern Africa” in Pan Commonwealth Forum On Open Learning Case Studies, *Empowerment through Knowledge and Technology*, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 1-5 March. Reproduced in 2000 by the Distance Education Centre, The University of Southern Queensland, Australia, May.

De Beer, K.J and Langholtz, H.J. 1999. “United Nations Peacekeeping Distance Instruction For Sub-Saharan Africa” the 19th World Conference On Open Learning And Distance Education. The New Educational Frontier: Teaching and Learning in a Networked World. Vienna. Austria. Selected Papers on CD-Rom, ICDE. June 20-24*

De Beer, K..J. 2000. “Co-operative Education on Peacekeeping Training” CD-Rom, Technikon Natal, SASCE Conference Durban. April.

De Beer, K.J. and Thulare S.M. 2001. Africanisation of Higher Level Distance Education Through United Nations Structures, *Conference proceedings of the 20th World Conference on Open and Distance Education*, Düsseldorf, Germany, April 01-05. (CD. Rom)

De Beer, K.J. and Langholtz H.J. 2003. Co-operative Training of African Peacekeepers through Correspondence Instruction. INTERIM, Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 2, Number 1. Technikon Free State (ISSN 1684-498x)

Selesho, J.M. and De Beer, K.J. 2003. Total Quality Management for Technikon’s and Off-Campus Programmes. INTERIM, Interdisciplinary Journal, Year 2 Number 1. Technikon Free State. (ISSN 1684-498x)

Selesho, J.M. and De Beer, K..J. 2003. Building Quality into Academic Programmes using Quality Models. INTERIM, Interdisciplinary Journal, Year 2 Number 1. Technikon Free State. (ISSN 1684-498x)

Badenhorst J.J.C. and De Beer K.J. 2004. The Role of Blended Learning in Supporting Learning in Higher Education. INTERIM, Interdisciplinary Journal, Year 3 Number 1.Central University Free State. ( ISSN 1684 498 )

De Beer, K.J. and Matshebula, M.R. 2004. In Search of Universal Guidelines for the Management of a Satellite Campus for Higher Education. INTERIM, Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 3. Number 1. Central University Free State. (ISSN 1684-498)

Duvenhage, C.J. and De Beer, K.J. 2006. Research on Quality Assurance at the Regional Learning Centre Kimberley, Central University of Technology, Free State. INTERIM. Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 5. Number 1. Central University of Technology, Free State. (ISSN 1684-498X)

De Beer, K.J. 2006. Fredericks, B. and Bohloko, G. (2006) The In-Service Training of Correctional Services Staff At The Satellite Campus and Regional Learning Centre, Kroonstad. INTERIM. Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 5. Number 2. (ISSN 1684-498X)

De Beer, K.J. 2006. Open Access Retention and Throughput at the Central University of Technology, Free State. *South African Journal of Higher Education*. Vol. 20. No 1. ( ISSN 101-3487)

De Beer, K.J. and Bezuidenhout, J. 2006. The Context of Open Learning. *Progressio*. UNISA.

Mohele, I. and De Beer, K.J. 2007. The Use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in E-Service Delivery and Effective Governance in South Africa. INTERIM. Year 6 Number 2 ( ISSN 1684-498 X)

De Beer, KJ. 2007. Articles and Papers in: African Higher Education Research On-Line (AHERO) http://ahero.uwc.ac.za

De Beer, K.J. and Langholtz, H.J. 2005. Peacekeeping Instruction. SA Soldier. The Official Monthly Magazine of the Department of Defence. June and July, pp. 43-45.

De Beer, KJ. 2006. Open Access Retention and Throughput at the Central University of Technology, Free State. *South African Journal for Higher Education*. University Stellenbosch.

De Beer, KJ (2007) Assess article on “Political Transformation: an Ideological Framework, an Analytical Reconstructivist Perspective”. *KOERS*. Bulletin for Christian Scholarship. University of North West.

De Beer, K.J. 2007. Assess article on “African Trends in Politics…”. *KOERS*. Bulletin for Christian Scholarship. University of North West.

De Beer, K. J. 2007. Assess article on : “ A Post Polokwane ANC…*KOERS*. Bulletin for Christian Scholarship. University of North West.

De Beer, K.J. and Hofffman, M.J. 2007. An African Study of Astronomical History in The Northern Cape. African Skies / Ciex Africains. No.11, July. Cape Town. ISSN 10278389.

De Beer, KJ 2008. Assessed respectively two articles for the *Journal New Generation Sciences* at the Central University of Technology, Free State.

Esterhuizen, HL, De Beer, KJ and Baird. 2008. The Historical Development of Supplemental Instruction at the Central University Of Technology, Free State. INTERIM. Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 7 No 2.

De Beer, KJ. 2009. E-Learning at the Central University of Technology, Free State, PROGRESSIO. ISSN 0256-8853 Vol 31 (1&2). UNISA. Pretoria.

Baird, N. and De Beer, KJ. 2009. Why Podcasting In Open Higher Distance Learning ? INTERIM. Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 8. No. 2. Central University of Technology, Free State. Bloemfontein.

Pachagadu, S. and De Beer, KJ. 2009. Academic literacy program model design INTERIM. Interdisciplinary Journal. Year 8. No. 2. Central University of Technology, Free State. Bloemfontein.

Academic lectures; congresses, papers, posters and public speeches

A variety of 25 public speeches were delivered by De Beer, K.J. at various academic and cultural events with political science and educational purviews since 1980 up to date.

De Beer, K.J. 1978-1985. Co-ordinator for the C.R. Swart annual seminar in International Relations. Department: Political Science. University of the Free State.

De Beer, K.J. 1987-1989. Speaker on political literacy lectures in gifted child education re: State Philosophy, Politicology, International Relations and Strategic Studies. Centre for Gifted Child Education. Deale Road. Bloemfontein.

De Beer, K.J. 1992. Member of the Congress Committee for The Eighth Biennial Conference of the SA Association for Research and Development in Higher Education (SAARDHE), 1-2 October, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.

De Beer, KJ. 1992. Presentation on Politics in Education, Bophuthatswana Teachers Association, Thaba Nchu, 2 October.

De Beer, K.J. 1994. Presentation on A Tutorial system in Affirmative Action for Public Administration Students at Technikons, Research Colloquial of the South African Association for Political Studies, 6 October, Broederstroom.

De Beer, K.J. 1994. Political Leadership Programme Lectures for the Hans Seidel Stiftung at the Institute for multi-party democracy. Workshop 06. 26, 27, 28 August 1994, Bloemfontein Civic Centre; 18-20 November in Kimberley and May 1995 at Aliwal North.

De Beer, K.J. 1995. Workshops of the pre-and post international conferences of the University of Birmingham (25-26 June) and the Open University of East Anglia, Cambridge (3-5 July) respectively on Research and Development of Distance Education and learner centered approaches to Distance Education.

De Beer, K.J. 1995. Convenor at the annual conference for the SA Association for Political Studies, University of Stellenbosch, 27-29 September.

De Beer,K.J. 1996. Convenor at the annual conference for the SA Society for Cooperative Education, 14 March , Technikon Free State.

De Beer, K.J. 1997. Paper on “Partnerships in Quality Assurance at Technikons”, The 11th Biennial SAARDHE Congress, 18-20 April, Johannesburg.

De Beer, K.J. 1997. Panel moderator: “How does the independent entrepreneur of Open Distance Learning negotiate in the International marketplace?”, 18th World Conference of the International Council for Distance Education, The Pennsylvania State University, USA, 5 June.

McGreal,R (Canada). presented a paper on behalf of Mostert, J W and De Beer, K.J. 1998. “An integrated Flexible Learning System for the Free State Consortium for Higher Education” 14th Annual Canadian Association for Distance Education Conference, Athabasca University, Canada, 21 – 24 May.

De Beer, KJ. 1999. “The convergence between distance and conventional education in a developing South African region” at the 11th Biennial Congress of the South African Association for Research and Development in Higher Education. The Reconstruction of Higher and Further Education in South Africa and the Role of SAQA and the NQF. Peninsula Technikon. 29-30 June to 1 July.

De Beer, K.J. 1999. “UNESCO-Africa and the world technological university movement” An International seminar on the concept of a Technological University Transforming institutions of higher learning into technological universities. Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa 27-28 October.

De Beer, K.J. 1999. Artefact: “A New Railway Ladder Track.” Innovations for Development Association. Research and Development. Sweden/South Africa Partnership. Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency. Swedish Embassy. Pretoria. 24 November.

De Beer, K.J. 1998. “UNESCO and Higher Distance Education in Sub – Saharan Africa,” World Federation of Technology Organisations 1998 International Symposium; On the Threshold, Cape Technikon and UNESCO, Cape Town.

De Beer, K.J. 1998. “Global Imperialism through Distance Education” South African Political Society Colloquium, Hammanskraal Campus of the University of Pretoria, 9-11 September.

Mostert, J W and De Beer, KJ. 1998. A proposed flexible learning mode for the further and higher education institutions of the Free State. LINKS/SAAD/SAARDHE CONFERENCE, University of the Free State Bloemfontein, 24 September.

Frey, B. Presented a poster on behalf of De Beer, KJ and Langholtz, HJ 1999. “Bend your Swords into ploughshares.” Out of Africa Technikon Research and Development Expo. South Africa House. London. 15-16 September.

Phatang, J.S.S. and De Beer, K.J. 2000. “ A Southern African model in Distance Education in a developing South African sub-region” 2nd National Conference of the National Association for Distance Education Organisations of South Africa, Pretoria, 6 August.

De Beer, K.J. 2001. Chairing a workshop at the SAARDHE Conference at the University Free State, 21 March:

• Globalisation and higher education restructuring in South Africa: is democracy under threat?
• Quality in higher education issues in the examination of dissertations and theses (Workshop).
• Is the proliferation of private colleges spelling doom for South African public higher education?

De Beer, K.J. and Thulare, S.M. 2001. “Africanisation of Higher Level Distance Education through United Nations structures” 20Th World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Education, Düsseldorf, Germany, 01-05 April.

De Beer, K.J. 2001. Chairing parallel sessions of the NADEOSA 2001 Conference at the University Witwatersrand, 28 August:

• Assessing the significance of research on web-based learning
Rita Kizito, University of South Africa;

• How supportive is “support”?-
A.D. Elliott and N.A. Corry, University of the Witwatersrand;

• Supporting distance learners: meeting the information needs-
Nyameka Jabane, University of Fort Hare; and

• Fabulous freebies on the internet: cost effective online teaching and learning environments
Linda van Ryneveld, Technikon Pretoria.

Duvenhage, C. and De Beer, K.J. 2002. Quality Assurance at Technikon Free State Distance campuses. International Council for Distance Education (ICDE). “Canadian ACED Conference, May. “

Sedibe, E.M. and De Beer, K.J. 2002. ICDE. Career choice through Educational Television. Canadian ACED Conference, Australia, May.

De Beer, K.J. 2002. Chairing workshops at the Transformation Education for Development Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa, 29 July – 2 August:

• Reaching the unreached: Indian experiences;
• Training of trainers towards capacity building for distance training of state and local government functionaries;
• The centrality of learner support in open and distance learning: A paradigm shift in thinking;
• Modelling learner support systems for open and distance learning;
• Using ICT in open and distance learning to curb neo-elitism and build human infrastructure;
• Designing an online learning environment for participatory management of displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation; and
• Evaluation of open/networked e-learning.

De Beer, K.J. 2004. Chairing a workshop at the Annual Conference of the National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning of South Africa. August. Johannesburg:

• Curriculum responsiveness in programme materials development for distance teacher education.

Selesho M. and De Beer, K.J. 2003. Building Quality into Academic Programmes using Quality Models, International Conference on Quality Assurance, University Western Cape,
1 July 14-16.

Mathebula, M.R. and De Beer, 2003. In Search of Universal Guidelines for the Annual Conference of the National Association for Distance Education Organisations of South Africa (NADEOSA), Management of a Satellite Campus for Higher Education, Johannesburg, August 27-28. (Cf. NADEOSA. Website: www.nadeosa.org.za Pre-workshop documentation.)

Badenhorst, JJC and De Beer, K.J. 2004. Supporting higher education using e-learning within a multimode delivery system. 21st ICDE World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Education. Lifelong Learning in the Networked World. The Open University of Hong Kong. 18-21 February.

Langholtz, H.J., De Beer, KJ and Mostert, J.W. 2004. Co-operative training of African peacekeepers through Correspondence instruction. SASCE- Conference publication: Plenary session. Tswane University of Technology. Pretoria. 6 April.

Badenhorst, J.J.C. and De Beer, K.J. 2004. Blended Learning at the Central University of Technology, Free State. E/merge 2004 Conference. Blended collaborative learning at Southern Africa. 28 June – 10 July.

Nel,J. and De Beer K.J. 2004. National Institutes For Higher Education or Eduparks For Extended Higher Education Services or Satellite Campuses: Quo Vadis? Interim. Central University of Technology, Free State.

De Beer, K.J. 2005. Charing sessions at the 11th Association of African Universities, University of Cape Town. 21-25 February:

• Quality Assurance Monitoring of Transnational On-Line Teaching;
• Access Efficiency and Equity Considerations of the World Bank’s African Virtual University;
• Access Limitations and the AVU; ODEL Solutions; and
• Workshop to establish an African Universities Quality Assurance Network (AUQANET).

De Montfort, P.J. De Beer, K.J. , Mostert, J.W. and Langholtz, H.J. 2005. Curriculum on Global Peace Support Operations; A Work-Integrated Learning Model For African Higher Education Institutions And The United Nations Institute For Training And Research. World Association for Co-operative Education (WACE) World Conference. Boston. USA.29-30June.

De Beer, K.J. 2005. Open Access, Retention and Throughput at the Central University of Technology, Free State. SAARDHE Conference. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban. 26-29 June.

De Beer, K.J. and Mostert, J.W. 2005. Poster: Collaboration for higher education distance education through United Nations structures in Africa. SAARDHE- Conference. University Kwazulu-Natal. Durban. 26-29 June.

De Beer, KJ. 2005. Rapporteur: Governance and Civil Society. Inaugural Annual Conference of the African Council of Distance Education (ACDE). University of South Africa. Pretoria. 9-12 August.

K.J. de Beer (author) and M.J. Hoffman (co-worker). (2005) An Africanised Study of Astronomical History in the Northern Cape, South Africa, for Purposes of
Secondary and Higher Education Programmes in Tourism Management. African Astronomical History Symposium. Cape Town. 8-9 November.

De Beer, KJ. and De Montfort, PJ. 2006. A Model of Co-operative Education on Peace Support Operations in Africa. South African Association for Co-operative Education (SASCE) International Conference, Vaal University of Technology.17-18 April.

De Beer, KJ and Fredericks, B. 2006. The In-Service Training of Correctional Service Staff at the Kroonstad Satellite Campus of Correctional Services. South African Association for Co-operative Education (SASCE) International conference, Vaal University of Technology. 17-18 April.

Baird, N. and De Beer, K.J. 2006. Podcasting in Higher Education. NADEOSA conference, CSIR, 23-24 August.

De Beer, K.J. and De Montfort, P.J. 2006. Curriculating Peacekeeping Operations Support courses. African Curriculation conference. UNISA. 19-20 September.

Hay, H.R. ,Van der Merwe and De Beer, K.J. (co-worker) 2006. Factors Influencing The SA Higher Education Landscape: A Case Study. HELTASA Conference. TUT. 26-29 November.

De Beer, KJ and Badenhorst, J. 2007. Online Assessment for Co-operative Education, HELTASA Conference. CUT. 18-21 November.

De Beer, KJ. 2007. Chairing parallel sessions on the Developing Students cognition, skills and knowledge for Higher Education Achievements & Enhancing the analytical skills of scholars. HELTASA Conference. CUT. 18-21 November

De Beer, KJ. and De Montfort, PJ. 2008. Open and Distance E-Learning Support for Peacekeeping Operations.5th Pan-Commonwealth Forum. University of London. 14-16 July. http://www.wikieducator.org/pcf5:Community /Needs/Co-operative Education.

De Beer, KJ. 2008. Chairing workshop sessions at the NADEOSA Annual Conference. Innovation in Open and Distance Education. University of Pretoria. 17-18 August.

De Beer, KJ and De Montfort, PJ. 2008. A Curriculum Model for Co-operative Education on Peace Support Operations in Africa. Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association for Southern Africa (HELTASA). Rhodes University, Grahamstown. 01 December.

De Beer, KJ and Mokoma, B. 2009. A case study of work integrated learning (WIL) of the Central University of Technology Free State (CUT) in the largest geographical province of South Africa, Northern Cape. Round Table Session. 16th World Conference on Cooperative Education and Work Integrated Learning (WACE). An International Dialogue in Vancouver, June 23-26.

De Beer, KJ and De Montfort, PJ. 2009. Community needs for Co-operative Peacekeeping Training with Open and Distance E-Learning (ODEL) modes and Open Education Resources (OER) on the African Continent (II). Colloquium on Creating Sustainable Empowering Learning Environments through Scholarship of Engagement. School of Education. North-West University. Potchefstroom Campus. 21-22 August.

De Beer, K.J 2009. Review article for Journal for New Generation Sciences: Conceptualising stakeholder relationships in education as “expansive learning”: A case study from animal health education, Central University of Technology, Free State.

De Beer, K.J. 2009/10. Reviewer of papers; WACE CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG 2010. Email: m.hansford@neu.edu www.waceinc.org

Pachagadu, S., Baird, N. and De Beer, KJ. 2010. Audio as support medium at a higher education institution Poster session at the NADEOSA International Conference, University of the North West. Potchefstroom. 6-8 September

Baird, N. and De Beer, KJ. 2010. Audio as medium for content distribution (giving access to knowledge) Paper at the Open-Ed Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 3 October.

Pachagadu, S., Baird, N. and De Beer, K. 2010. Audio as support content delivery medium at a South African higher education institution. Poster session at the ICERI-Conference, Madrid, Spain. 15 October.

Baird, N. and De Beer, KJ. 2010. DEVELOPING A CLASSROOM FOR THE FUTURE (ENGAGING STUDENTS IN LEARNING.) Paper at the ICERI-Conference, Madrid, Spain. 17 October.

De Beer, KJ 2011. . Reviewed article for Journal of Educational Studies. Perception of high school learners of teaching as a profession. University of Venda. (January).

Assessor and external moderator

Several post-graduate candidates in Political Science were assessed and moderated for their Masters and Doctoral studies for the Department Political Science, University Free State (1980-2008 and up to date)

Co-examiner for Drs J Chadinha for a tentamen to the doctoral studies of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Orange Free State,1983

Co-examiner for Drs F Malan for a tentamen to the doctoral studies at the Department of Political Science at the University of the Orange Free State, 1985.

Co examiner for: a D. Tech-dissertation of Drs J Bezuidenhout (020158963) on Distance Education, Faculty of Human Sciences, Technikon Free State (2002-2004 )

Study leader for: a D. Tech –dissertation of Col. PJ De Montfort on Peacekeeping Training in the SANDF, Faculty of Management Sciences. Central University of Tech, FS (2004- )

External moderator for: a D Ed-dissertation of M.J. Sesemane on the Overload in Hypermedia. Faculty of Nursing and Education. Johannesburg University (2005).

External moderator for a PhD dissertation of J A Smiles on Transformation and Democratisation of South African Sport in the new Constitutional Dispensation, with special reference to Rugby as a Sport code. Department of Political Science. University of the Free State. (Candidate still in the process of completing his dissertation in 2010--).

Study leader for S Jonkers for a doctoral thesis in Governance (2010- ) (Research protocol still under review).

Co-assessor for the following candidates’ Magister Artium in Political Science and Government and Political Transformation:
Student: JSS Phatang
University Free State

MA dissertation: MGT 791 dissertation demarcation of the new municipality boundaries: A case study of Mangaung Local Council and Motheo District.
Student: Mr PTL Fink
Student nr: 2001040571
University Free State

MA dissertation: Programme in governance and political transformation MGT 791 The reconstruction and development programme in the Northern Cape: Success or failure?
Student: Samantha Titus
Student number: 2001048236
(University of the Free State)
University of the Free State/Department of Political Science

MA dissertation: Governance in South Africa: A critical analysis of the underpinning value system
Name of student: M.S. Phera
Student number: 2001046156
Module: MGT 791
Lecturer: Prof D Wessels/External Examiner Dr KJ de Beer
Date of submission: 28 February 2003. University of the Free State/Department of Political Science

MA dissertation: Co-operative government and intergovernmental relations: A Central Thrust for Political Transformation in the Republic of South Africa.
Name of student: R.M. Moropa (NAMP)
Student number: 2001104344
Supervisor: Prof D P Wessels/External Examiner Dr KJ de Beer
Date of submission: 17 February 2003
University of the Free State/Department of Political Science

MA dissertation: The electoral system of South Africa – A critical assessment.
Name of student: RM Moleme
Supervisor: Prof DP Wessels/External Examiner. Dr KJ de Beer
Date of submission: November 2003.
University of the Free State/Department of Political Science

Hons Scription: The role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) In Advancing The NEPAD Objectives: A Case Study.
Name of student and number: DA Kganare, 2000054508
Supervisor: Mr NL Combrink / External Examiner Dr KJ de Beer
Date of submission: July 2004.
University of the Free State/Department of Political Science

MA dissertation; A Critical Analysis of Political Decay in Zimbabwe.
Name of student: D.P. Thulo
Student number: (?)
Lecturer: Mr J. Smiles / External Examiner Dr K.J. De Beer.
Date of submission: 1 August 2005. University Free State /Department of Political Sciences.

MA dissertation: Local Governance in Lekwa-Teemane Municipality.
Na Name of student: MG Kegakilwe 2003058670
Lecturer: Mr JD Joubert / External Examiner Dr KJ De Beer
Date of submission: 9 January 2006. University Free State /Department of Political Science.

MA dissertation: The Transition to Democracy: The Case of Taiwan 1980-2005.
Name of student: I Scheurkogel.
Lecturer: Dr Tania Coetzee.
Date of submission 31 April 2006. University Free State /Department of Political Science.

MA dissertation: Political Transformation and Affirmative Action in SA: A Critical Assessment
Name of student: NJ Mkoena
Lecturer: Prof A Duvenhage
Date of submission 20 November 2006. UOFS. Dept Political Transformation.

Short post graduate assignment on the : “Political Transition in the SA Government”
Name of student: OP Mokobo (2003058910)
Lecturer:: Prof A Duvenhage
Date of submission: 17 September 2007 UFS Programme for Governance and Political Transformation

MA dissertation: Public Participation in Transformational Municipal Government in Limpopo: A Conceptual and Comparative Assessment
Name of student: ND Matumane (2005136235)
Lecturer: Dr T Coetzee
Date of submission: October 2007. UFS Programme for Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: An Investigation on the Implementation of BEE in the North West Province Department of Roads and Public Works: A Case Study
Mr JD Thibedi (2001048244)
Date of submission: November 2007. UFS Programme for Governance and Political Transformation.

Assessed presentation for B Tech practicals, 2007. An Evaluation of Immobilization Devices for Head and Neck Radiation Therapy at the Universitas Annexe. Prestige Research Day. Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. CUT.11 October.

MA dissertation: Provincial Border Demarcations in the North West Province: An Analysis of the Impact on Democratic, Economic and Service Delivery Imperatives.
Name of student: LD Mcameni (2005038845)
Date of submission: 15 April 2008 UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation

MA dissertation: The Separation of the Ruling Part from the State: With reference to the ZANU-PF and the ANC
Name of student: TSB Vukaphi (2004202178)
Lecturer: Dr T Coetzee
Date of submission: 7 November 2008. UFS. Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: An application of Paul Lederach’s Pyramid model
Name of student: Mr. K Tladi (2000038105)
Date of submission: 10 December 2008. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: The political decay in the Eastern Cape: An assessment of political instability, economic decline and social disintegration.
Name of student: JS Toko (2003058860)
Date of submission: 8 January 2009. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: Local Governance in the Bophirma District: An Assessment of Autonomy, Accountability and Effective Service Delivery
Student: Confidential due to arbiter case
Date of arbitrating: 10 January 2009. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: Study of the Educational system in South Africa during Apartheid and up till present (focus on Black Africans): Is it preparing Black Africans to participate in Government?
Student: AN Eyth (2008099034)
Date of submission: 04-01-2010. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: Institutional leadership—Challenges in a Democratic South Africa: A Case Study in the Xhariep District
Student: D Hlabahlaba ( 1996592265)
Date of submission (Still in progress) UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA dissertation: The Impact On Historically Disadvantaged Public Primary Schools Since The Democratic Elections In The Vryheid District (KZN)
Student SV Mbuli (2009075918)
Study Leader: Mrs. M Malatje.
Date of submission: 24-11-2010 UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA-dissertation: Free Education Vis-à-vis the Role of School Governance.
Student: KJ Moshotle (1997715303
Study Leader : Dr. T. Coetzee.
Date of submission: 1-12-2010. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA-dissertation:Employer and Employee Relationship as Regulated by Labour Relation Act 66 of 1995.
Student: R. Motingwe.(2008087187)
Study Leader: Ms. Dalton-Brits
Date of submission: 03-01-2011. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA-dissertation:
Student: BB Lubisi (2009115680).
Study leader: Ms Dalton-Brits.
Date of submission: 03-01-2011. UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

MA-dissertation:
Student: M.S.D. Dosoudil (200313014) The Role of Street Committees in Deepening Democracy and Good Governance; The Case of the Emfulei Local Municipality
Study leader: Dr. T. Coetzee
Date of submission: 2011-01-31 UFS Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.

Miscellaneous

Sport

Organiser of swimming galas: Seals swimming club; 1967-1969. Teacher's College Rugby, 1967-1969.
Free State soccer coach for Bloemfontein primary schools, 1980-1982.
Club Centurion, SA National Defence Force, Tempe Military Base. 1992-

Employment History

• Operations and Intelligence Clerk
Air Force Gymnasium, Pretoria
1964

• Teacher in Technical subjects.
Brebner and Technical High Schools
Bloemfontein
1970-1975

• Senior Lecturer/Research Worker South African political history and foreign relations at the Institute for Contemporary History, University (INCH), University of the Orange Free State (UOFS) (1975-1986).

• Head of the Department for Political Science and Head External Relations Bloemfontein Educational Centre for Gifted Child Education;
Bloemfontein

 Civilian Appointment as First Military Official in the South African Defence’s Military Intelligence Headquarters, Pretoria (1987-1991)
.
• Senior Researcher
Bureau of Academic Support,
1991-1993.

• Director Distance Education,
Central University of Technology, Free State
July 1993 – 2005

• Director: Director Academic Support and Research,
Academic Development and Support
Central University of Technology, Free State
2006 - present

References

Dr B.C. van der Merwe
Director: Teaching and Learning
Central University of Technology, Free State
Tel: 051 – 507 3444
E-mail: bvdmerwe@cut.ac.za

Prof A. Duvenhage
Director Research: Sustainable Social Development
Tel: 018 – 299 1111
E-mail: Andre.Duvenhage@nwu.ac.za

Dr T. Coetzee
Programme Director: Programme in Governance and Political Transformation.
Faculty of Humanities
University of the Free State
Tel: 051 – 401 2628
E-mail: coetzeet.hum@ufs.ac.za

DATE: 2011-02-14

MODERATOR: ETDP SETA : SOUTH AFRICA

2010-10-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

ASSESSORS CERTIFICATE: SAQA

2010-10-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA: DISTANCE LEARNING

2010-10-27T04:16:00.000-07:00

DEVELOPMENT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION AT CUT

2010-10-27T04:08:00.000-07:00

DISTANCE EDUCATION: IMPERIALISM

2010-10-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

OPEN LEARNING AT CUT

2010-10-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

BEAR FOR A PET

2010-09-21T01:03:00.000-07:00

TD POTGIETER AND THE TECHNICON FREE STATE

2010-09-17T06:10:00.001-07:00

The father of the idea for a college for advanced technical education in Bloemfontein, South Africa, came from TD Potgieter (Uncle Pottie) during the late seventies. He was a member of the Orange Free State Provincial council and started to canvas among fellow politicians as well as community leaders for such an institution. Eventually he succeeded in his ground work and today the city of Bloemfontein can boast with the Central University of Technology, Free State that grew out of his idea. (http:www.cut.ac.za).

GERRIT WESSELS AND THE SEVENTH DAY CHURCH MUSEUM

2010-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

My friend Gerrit Wessels of Boshof informed me that it was the WESSELS-FAMILY and not the DE BEER's who brought in the seventh day Adventist denomination to Kimberley. We hope to get the full story later on.

HISTORIC SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST MUSEUM

2010-09-01T03:30:00.000-07:00

My friend, Gerrit Wessels of Boshof, told me about the link between his family and the seventh day Adventist church denomination in Kimberley. His mother is also a descendant of the Kimberley-De Beers. He showed me the church in the photograph and promised me to write the full story how the Wessels-family brought in ministers from Anmerica to Kimberley. As soon as he has given me the full story, I will publish it on my Blog.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH MUSEUM

2010-08-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

Gerrit Wessels corrected the information about the De Beers and this church museum and said that it was the Wessels family who brought in the pastors from America.

Seventh Day Adventist Church; Kimberley (ERRATA)

2010-08-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

In my previous publications, the reader can read all about the original De Beer who's name perpetuated in the famous DE BEERS DIAMOND COMPANY. When I visited his grave in the Boshof district in the Free State (South Africa), one of his descendants told me that he spent a great deal of his money that he received in selling his farm in Kimberley to Cecil John Rhodes, on some or other church denomination. In my research thus far, however, I am unable to establish whether he also gave money to this specific church.

DARKIES FOR IMAGE !

2010-08-30T05:24:00.000-07:00

AIR FORCE TRAINING: 1960 AND 1970

2010-08-30T05:17:00.000-07:00

SAAF

2010-08-30T05:10:00.000-07:00

SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE 1964

2010-08-30T05:01:00.000-07:00

SA AIRFORCE GYMNASIUM 1970

2010-08-30T04:57:00.000-07:00

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRFORCE WEEKEND PASS

2010-08-30T04:50:00.000-07:00

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRFORCE GYMNASIUM 1960

2010-08-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

DE BEER's BEHIND THE MAGALIES MOUNTAIN RANGE

2010-08-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

BREBNER PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOL

2010-04-22T02:42:00.001-07:00

In 16 bloemsnippets.blogspot.com of March 2010 we read a bit of history of the
Brebner High and Primary School:
Before 1900, the history of this school seems to be a bit vague and uncertain, what can be established, however is
that before the Anglo – Boer War, a so – called Railway Camp School was opened.
During the period 1900 – 1903, while Mr Sargant was Superintendent of Education this school was incorporated
with the new Railway Government School with a Mr C W Dunnet as principal. The new school was housed partly in
wood and iron buildings in Glen Road and partly in the upper story of the Hostel for Apprentices in Bree Street,
which had been opened in 1898. The ground floor of this building was occupied by the police.
In June 1904, the roll had reached 586 and plans were drawn for the new buildings on the old Show Grounds in
Glen Road. The foundation Stone of the new building was laid by the Lieutenant – Governor of the Free State, Sir
Hamilton Goold – Adams, on the 16th February 1906 and the school was formally opened by Earl Selborne, the
High Commissioner of South Africa on 2nd July 1906, under the new title, Brebner Schools.
The name was in honour of Dr John Brebner. This Scotsman was the first Superintendent General of Education of
the Orange Free State, and he did pioneering work in restoring quality education to the province as well as unifying
education in schools.
A highlight was the moving of the school to its present modern buildings and spacious grounds in January 1975.
The hostel was to move a few months later and the buildings were officially opened on 21 October 1975.
Brebner had eight head masters. In 1994, the present headmaster, Mr A W Taylor, took on the challenging
responsibility of heading this dynamic and vibrant school and leading it on its destined path of change (Marie & François Fouché, hrbloem@gmail.com).

(Very interestingly, Dr. John Brebner previously assisted the Boer Republic of the Orange Free State to transfer this little republic's money to Russia where it was kept until after the Anglo Boer War in 1902. They used some of the money to start their own newspaper, The Friend, in Bloemfontein to uplift the conquered people in the new British territory. This initiative inter alia gave subsistanance for the establishing of the Afrikaans National Press from which newspapers like Die Burger, Volksblad, Oosterlig and a periodical, Huisgenoot sprung up. The Afrikaanse Nasionale Pers has since been converted into MEDIA 24 which also has shares in Multi-Choice etcetera. A variety of periodicals such as YOU, SARIE and newspapers like Beeld and some of the biggest Sunday newspapers in South Africa, namely RAPPORT, belongs to this huge media conglomerate).

BREBNER PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOL

2010-04-22T02:42:00.000-07:00

16 bloemsnippets.blogspot.com March 2010
A bit of History
Brebner High School
Before 1900, the history of this school seems to be a bit vague and uncertain, what can be established, however is
that before the Anglo – Boer War, a so – called Railway Camp School was opened.
During the period 1900 – 1903, while Mr Sargant was Superintendent of Education this school was incorporated
with the new Railway Government School with a Mr C W Dunnet as principal. The new school was housed partly in
wood and iron buildings in Glen Road and partly in the upper storey of the Hostel for Apprentices in Bree Street,
which had been opened in 1898. The ground floor of this building was occupied by the police.
In June 1904, the roll had reached 586 and plans were drawn for the new buildings on the old Show Grounds in
Glen Road. The foundation Stone of the new building was laid by the Lieutenant – Governor of the Free State, Sir
Hamilton Goold – Adams, on the 16th February 1906 and the school was formally opened by Earl Selborne, the
High Commissioner of South Africa on 2nd July 1906, under the new title, Brebner Schools.
The name was in honour of Dr John Brebner. This Scotsman was the first Superintendent General of Education of
the Orange Free State, and he did pioneering work in restoring quality education to the province as well as unifying
education in schools.
A highlight was the moving of the school to its present modern buildings and spacious grounds in January 1975.
The hostel was to move a few months later and the buildings were officially opened on 21 October 1975.
Brebner had eight head masters. In 1994, the present headmaster, Mr A W Taylor, took on the challenging
responsibility of heading this dynamic and vibrant school and leading it on its destined path of change.
Nunsseenssee IIII
16 to 20 March
Eunice High School is once again presenting a musical show.
The show is directed by Dr Niel van Niekerk.
Starring Bea van der Vyver, the teachers and pupils of the school.
Tickets cost R60 each and can be purchased from
Mary Paine at the school between 07:30 and 14:30 Monday to Thursday
and 07:30 and 14:00 on Friday.
Book early so as not to be disappointed.
Switch off the lights of your home on 27 March from 8:30pm – 9:30pm.
Spread the message to your friends and family.
Send us the names of friends and
family that you would like to wish
happy birthday. You can also send
in announcements of weddings,
engagements and the arrival of a
baby. Send an email to
hrbloem@gmail.com with your
name and the person’s name
(names of couple)
Cjsuiebz!Xjtift!
!Wfskbbsebhxfotf!
!
Baie geluk aan Pieter Rossouw met sy verjaardag - 15 Mar
Baie geluk aan Luan Awerbachmet sy verjaardag - 18 Mar
Diiee 22001100 SSoomeerrball
in Bloemfontein!
Vrydag, 26 Maart 2010
18:30 vir 19:00
Ilanga Estate
R300 per persoon / R3 000 per tafel
Formeel
Daar is iets omtrent hierdie aand...
Lewendige orkes tesame met Arco Musica en
Bloem se eie Liefling, Thabo Pitse!
Dit beloof om 'n swierige, stylvolle,
sintuiglik-stimulerende affêre te wees,
met bykans geen formaliteite nie..!
Opbrengs ten bate van Vrystaat Versorging in Aksie
Kontak:
Marieta by 082 558 3170
marketing@freestatecare.org.za of
Werner by 084 583 3889
vmsquared@gmail.com
faks: 0866 109 317
Bloem Snippetss!
CD’s met die Bloem Snippets van nr. 1 tot nr. 50
is nou beskikbaar teen R20 per CD.
Bloem Snippets nr.1 to nr. 50 are
now availble for purchase at R20 per CD.
Indien u belangstel kontak ons by:
If you are interseted, contact us at:
Email : hrbloem@gmail.com
or
Phone Marie at: 082 7729369
Paaaassffeeeess 2010
Kom vier PAASFEES saam met
NG KERK PELLISSIER hierdie jaar op ‘n ander manier.
‘n Hele feesnaweek word beplan!!
DONDERDAG
1 April – NAGMAALSDIENS – 18:30
VRYDAG
2 APRIL - 19:30 - ONBESKAAMD
Kaartjies : R30 p/p beskikbaar by Comuputicket
SATERDAG
3 APRIL - 19:30 - RETIEF BURGER & orkes
Kaartjies : R50 p/p beskikbaar by Comuputicket
SONDAG
4 APRIL – 09:00 - EREDIENS, LOF EN AANBIDDING
Bochabela Strykorkes EN Violet Orchestra (van Belgie)
in teetuin na afloop van die diens
Beleef God se Grootheid saam met jou gesin.
Hy het gesterf en opgestaan vir my en jou!!
Navrae: Ella Kotze 083 452 4043
NG Kerk Pellissier – 051 422 4010
TALIISMAN
American a capella group
22 March 2010 at 20:00
ODEION
Admission: Free
Enquiries: Tel. 051 – 401 2504
Recipe / Resep
Vis-en-Groenbonegereg
(4 - 5 porsies)
5 ml botter of laevet margarien
2 uie, gekap
1 knoffelhuisie, gekneus
50 ml tamatiepasta
300 ml hoenderaftreksel
5 ml suiker
12,5 ml Worcestersous
Sout en varsgemaalde swart peper na smaak
12,5 ml mielieblom
300 g groenbone, gekerf of heel
500 g vismootjies, vel verwyder
Metode:
Verhit die botter of margarien en soteer die uie en knoffel daarin totdat dit sag is.
Voeg die tamatiepasta, aftreksel, versoeter en Worcestersous by en verhit dit tot
kookpunt.
Laat prut dit 'n paar minute lank en geur met sout en swart peper na smaak.
Maak die mielieblom met 'n bietjie koue water aan en voeg dit by.
Roer dit voortdurend totdat dit verdik.
Skep die groenbone in 'n oondbak, plaas die vismootjies bo-op en giet die sous oor.
Bedek die oondbak met 'n deksel en bak die gereg 30-45 minute in 'n voorverhitte
oond by 180°C.
Haal die deksel af en bak dit nog sowat 15 minute.
Sit voor met volgraanbrood.
Indien jy nie hierdie nuusbrief wil ontvang nie stuur ‘n epos aan hrbloem@gmail.com – stop brief
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter please send an email to hrbloem@gmail.com - unsubscrib
Die nuusbrief is saamgestel en versprei deur Marie & François Fouché
This newsletter is compiled and distributed by Marie & François Fouché
Contact us at hrbloem@gmail.com or phone at 082 772 9369

SANMARIé SCHLEBUSCH (née De Beer)

2010-04-22T02:01:00.000-07:00

My wife, Christa, in the photo was taken at a dance at the year end function of the matrics of the Brebner High School in 1971. I taught technical subjects at Brebner while my wife was teaching at Kruitberg Primary School. Christa is an excellent dance partner with a lot of patience with a former rugby forward like me and who could never get the steps right. But as the saying goes, the apple does not fall far from the tree because our daughter, Sanmarié, inherited her skills and love for dancing from mother Christa and even started her own school. After she also became a mother of two little darling dancing daughters, she scaled down the teaching only to pre-school kids. However, Sanmarié imports and distributes dancing shoes and other paraphernalia in the Free State province. For more info go to www.danceonline.co.za Their cousin Kallista de Beer is also a very talented dancer and who lives in Polokwane.

DIAMOND MINE FORSALE; SOUTH AFRICA

2010-03-26T01:55:00.000-07:00

De Beers Consolidated MINES (DBCM) intends to sell the JAGERSFONTEIN - Diamond mine in the southern Free State, most probably to an empowered group. This mine produced some of the biggest diamonds in the world, however, the mine dumps may be washed with modern technology for profitable smaller diamonds that may still be hiding in the old mine dumps. The JAGERSFONTEIN -Diamond mine was opened in 1870 and 13 million tons of soil was worked through for an average of 12,8 carat per tonnage. In 1893 the second biggest diamond in the world was mined, namely the EXCELSIOR. Another diamond, the JUBILEE of 650 carat was cut and polished from this mine into a 245 carat format. In may 1967, the EARTH STAR was found and converted into a 111carat precious stone (Cf. VOLKSBLAD, 23 March 2010).

Post Scriptum: See http://www.kaliedebeer.blogspot.com/ for photographs and how to view the site.

CAREL DE BEER'S WAR GRAVE AT MAGERSFONTEIN

2010-03-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

This tombstone of Boer soldiers who died on the battlefield at Magersfontein near Kimberley, is to be found in a monument site for all those who lost their lives against the British forces. However, the notorious Gen Koos De La Rey actually led his burghers into a victorious battle and conquered the Scottish regiments. The name spelled Carel since changed in some family routs to "Karel" spelled with a "K".

NORTH SCHOOL: BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA

2010-02-26T05:10:00.000-08:00

1953 Kindergarten photo for zooming. Kallie de Beer and friends way back in the fifties...This school was both a primary as well as a hybrid secondary school up to grade 9. It also educated both Afrikaans as well as English speaking pupils as a double medium school.

NORTH SCHOOL: BLOEMFONTEIN

2010-02-26T05:06:00.000-08:00

ELRIé SCHLEBUSCH's FIRST BALET CLASS

2010-02-26T04:56:00.000-08:00

My grand daughter Elrié, four years old, poses for her first balet class in Bloemfontein 2010-01-15.

Doorways for Open and Distance E-Learning in the Kingdom of Lesotho

2010-02-26T04:42:00.000-08:00

Learning to Live Together
using distance education for community peacebuilding

Rawwida Baksh and Tanyss Munro, Editors
Published by the
Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, 2009
3.
Doorways for Open and Distance
E-learning in the Kingdom of Lesotho

Kallie de Beer

Overview

The focus of this chapter is on some possibilities for using open and distance e-learning
(ODEL) for peacebuilding education in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho is a landlocked
state entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. In 1868 (when it was
called Basutoland), it was declared a protectorate of the British Government together
with Botswana (then Bechuanaland) and Swaziland. This secured the survival of the
Basotho as a political entity, though they lost a significant amount of land (Odendaal,
2000). After independence in 1966, the country was challenged by conflict involving
resources, electoral systems, behaviour of the political elite, youth alienation, questioning
of the legitimacy of government and incompetent management of civil/military
relations (Tladi, 2009). The country’s geographic location within South Africa has also
contributed to its instability, particularly during the apartheid period.
Sustainable civic education is currently necessary to assure long-lasting peace and
prosperity. Post-conflict reconstruction includes the process of rebuilding the political,
security, social and economic dimensions of a society emerging from conflict. It also
involves addressing the root causes of the conflict and promoting social and economic
justice as well as the rule of law (Murithi, 2006). ODEL could provide a means to reconcile
conflicts and transform adversarial norms. The National University of Lesotho
(NUL) at the town of Roma was founded on distance education, which was linked to
the other protectorates of that time. Today, NUL is linked through a wider distance education system to Maseru (the capital), Leribe and Thaba Tseka. Other opportunities
for ODEL include the Meraka Institute’s Digital Doorway and the widespread coverage
of radio broadcasting.

The Nature of the Lesotho Conflict

During the apartheid era Lesotho became increasingly subjected to pressure because
of sheltering and protecting African National Congress (ANC) activists, now in the
South African Government, as well as refugees, and because it had established ties
with communist governments. Both of these actions were perceived as direct political
threats to the apartheid regime (Mwangi, 2007 in Mwangi, 2009). South Africa closed
the border in 1986, leading to economic disruption and a subsequent coup by the military,
which ran the country for the next seven years.

In 1995, the army staged another coup, removing the democratically elected
leader and putting King Letsie III in his place. Three years later demonstrations and
civil unrest following elections that were widely perceived as corrupt led to looting in
Maseru and the closure of the Bank of Lesotho. A key feature of the crisis was “intense
rivalry between élite-dominated political parties over access to state power and state
resources within a worsening environment of poverty, unemployment and limited economic
options” (Santho, 2000). An army mutiny meant that soldiers were unable to
control the chaos, and rumours of another coup brought in troops from the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) to stabilise the situation.
As a member of the Southern African Custom Union (SACU), Lesotho also
became increasingly economically dependent on South Africa since the latter determined
the customs rates and operated the system to protect its own economic interests
(Jaster, 1992; Mbeki and Nkosi, 1992; Mwangi, 2007 in Mwangi, 2009). The country
is two-thirds mountainous, lacks arable land and has little mineral wealth. Its main
source of income for many years was migrant labour in the South African gold mines;
this has had devastating effects on the country’s social fabric, leaving rural areas with
few working age men and high rates of HIV and AIDS (Odendaal, 2000). Its key asset
now is water, which is pumped to South Africa. During the 1998 political unrest, South
African soldiers went to “secure” the Katse Dam even though it was far from the unrest
areas, killing 11 Lesotho soldiers (ibid.).

Persistent political problems that have adversely affected Lesotho’s transition
toward and consolidation of democratic governance have included inter-party conflicts,
born of a focus more on adversarial relationships and on personalities and power, and
less on substantive policy debate; intra-party conflict leading to factionalisation and
splits within established political parties, thus fostering a culture of contentious and
divisive politics; tensions between traditional and elected leaders at local government level (because elected and appointed local councils are assuming roles traditionally
exercised by chiefs and because the role of the chiefs has had to be redefined); and tensions
between principal chiefs and political parties in parliament, as the relationship
between the two still needed creative elaboration (Mwangi, 2009).
A recent research document on the changing attitudes towards democracy in the
country, however, describes a transformation of its democratic practices. It reflects on
three surveys on political attitudes and values conducted in 2000, 2003 and 2005.
The outcomes show that, overall, Lesotho’s Government appears to be politically stable
and that democracy is regarded as a worthy political dispensation. It supports civil
freedom, and there is a growing feeling of trust in the public and government sectors
(Afrobarometer, 2006).

Using ODEL to Enhance Peace

A number of ODEL initiatives have been started in the country. The University of
South Africa (UNISA), the largest distance education institution in southern Africa,
initiated a plan for an electronic network for the region that could be managed
from Maseru. Unfortunately, this project failed due to lack of sustainable financial
support (Mostert, 2009). Momentum was still ongoing when the New Partnership
for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) e-learning project was launched in 16 African
countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho,
Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda.
However, bureaucracy in the clearance of equipment at airports caused delays in setting
this up (Ochieng, 2007).

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) promotes ODEL in the country by supporting
active participation from Lesotho in the Virtual University for Small States of
the Commonwealth (VUSSC) initiative (COL, 2006). COL is also supporting numerous
representatives from Lesotho to attend professional development programmes,
forums and policy development initiatives.

In the context of the SADC Protocol, which has already opened academic exchange
agreements, the Southern African Regional Universities Association was established
in 2005. This Association as well as the Association for African Universities (AAU) reiterated
their commitment to enhance peace on the continent at the 11th AAU General
Conference held in Cape Town in 2005. Commitments were also made at this conference
by both the former President of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, and the Minister
of National Education, Ms Naledi Pandor, to assist the networking process of the AAU
within the NEPAD agreement of the African Union (AAU, 2005). The consensus is
that ODEL provides the only strategy to align and support existing structures, including
the African Council for Distance Education, which was formally launched in 2004.

The media and other civil society organisations have played
a positive role in conflict management and democratisation,
particularly during the pre- and post-election periods.

Dr. Mwangi of the NUL confirms the existence of civic education and some forms of
conflict management in Lesotho: “The media and other civil society organisations have
played a positive role in conflict management and democratisation particularly during
the pre- and post-election periods. The country’s Independent Electoral Commission
(IEC), for example, has conducted civic education programmes especially on voter
education through radio, which are aimed at conflict prevention. Civil society organisations
such as the Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (LCN) have
also conducted civic education programmes dealing with conflict management through
various forums such as the electronic and print media, conferences and stakeholders
workshops” (Mwangi, 2009). There was also a short-lived Partners in Conflict Lesotho
Project (see box).

There have been several adult basic education training (ABET) schemes in
Lesotho. ABET aims to provide writing and reading skills as well as academic language
proficiency short courses at grassroots level. For example, when international
concerns constructed the Katse Dam and the Malibamatso Hydro-electrical Scheme,
American distance educators taught English through ABET at Thaba-Tseka and Leribe.
Eventually these ABET centres were linked to the distance education programmes of
the NUL at Roma and its Institute for Extra-mural Studies (IEMS) in Maseru (de Beer,
1995).

It is at the grassroots level that traditional community leaders (read decision
makers) represent the ordinary citizens of most southern African societies. The local
level can be analysed as a microcosm of the larger conflict, with communities often
split into conflicting groups along lines of identity. There is often deep-rooted hatred
and animosity in such communities, which can spill over into daily conflict. ABET
programmes could be implemented to reach far-off communities with ODEL delivery
systems and open education resources (OER) materials.
The Partners in Conflict in Lesotho Project
The Partners in Conflict in Lesotho Project, a sustained programme for civil society,
peace and capacity building, began in 2001 as a partnership initiative between
NUL’s Department of Political and Administrative Studies and the University of
Maryland’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management
(UMD-CIDCM), in response to a request for assistance from the Lesotho Ambassador
to the United States. Primary funding through 2003 was provided by the
US Government’s Education for Democracy and Development Initiative (EDDI).
The Project Director, the Head of Department of Political and Administrative
Studies of NUL, was supported by an interdisciplinary team of professionals representing
the University Departments of Education, Law, Sociology and Political
and Administrative Studies. The Project was linked to the National University
Administration, various NGOs, multilateral and bilateral organisations, the
Government and other political actors such as political party leaders and chiefs.
During its first two years of operation it directly engaged a number of stakeholders,
including different political parties represented in parliament, ministries
(particularly the Ministry of Local Government) and others such as the police
(Ministry of Home Affairs), local chiefs, principal chiefs, community councils,
District Secretaries, various NGOs, the parliament, the media, officials of NUL
and the funding agency EDDI. However, it collapsed due to a number of administrative
reasons (see ACCORD, 2008).

The Digital Doorway of Meraka and Motataisi

The Lesotho Government’s policy on information and communications technology
(ICT) (2005) clearly states that ICTs provide ways and means to empower both women
and children and furnish them with skills to become decision makers. Three years
after this policy was announced, significant progress was made when the Motataisi
Foundation, a non-profit public-private organisation consulted with the Meraka
Institute of South Africa to extend their Digital Doorway project into Lesotho.

The Lesotho Government’s policy on information and communication
technology (ICT) (2005) clearly states that ICTs provide
means and ways to empower both women and children and furnish
them with skills to become decision makers.

The Meraka Institute of the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR),
Pretoria, is funded by the South African Department for Science and Technology and
falls within the perimeter of the NEPAD e-policy of the South African Department of
Foreign Affairs. Meraka’s aim is to provide education via GPRS (low cell phone frequency
signals) to computers contained in robust housings (see picture). The Digital
Doorway is a free-standing computer terminal that allows 24-hour access while content
can be customised according to community needs. These outdoor solar-powered
machines have already been distributed all over southern Africa. Although not linked
to the Internet, they have immense potential for programmes that include peacekeeping
or conflict resolution modules – for example, on V-Books via a CD or DVD.
After the Meraka Institute obtained funding from the Commonwealth Secretariat
for the Government of Lesotho’s Education for All policy (Ntsekhe-Nzima, 2009), it
launched a pilot project in collaboration with the Commonwealth Connects Programme
in the little Ha Tsolo community near Maseru during 2008. The computer is installed
at the gate of the Coordinator’s home. The vision is “to populate the Motataisi with
content from government ministries, international best practice[s], educational and
training material[s] and also providing micro-service opportunities to the community”
(Ntsekhe-Nzima, 2009).

At first, questions were raised by the citizens of Lesotho – who had recently
experienced the military intervention by the South African National Defence Force
mentioned earlier – whether this machine was part of some obscure intelligence operation
or a political ploy to buy votes. However, substantial progress was reported to the
Commonwealth Secretariat on the milestones reached, as well as completion dates of
Digital Doorway implementation, basic training in accessing content and the sustainability
of the project (Digital Doorway, 2009). In her report presented to the Secretariat
and the Meraka Institute in February 2009, the Coordinator referred, inter alia, to the
following:
• That there were no other outlets to access information,
especially civic information on rights and governance;
• The need for information on local government; and
• Issues about birth certificates and social services provided
by the Government.

The project plans to locate the outdoor computers where they will be highly visible,
while the content will be created in partnership with NUL and with the expertise of
South Africa. Solar power and batteries are part of the implementation; if the site has
no cellular signal, the nearest place for accessing a signal will be pinpointed for downloading
purposes. Drawbacks are that Meraka personnel are often called into Lesotho to address
technical problems because of the lack of local expertise. Electricity and Internet connection
are also problematic, as well as keeping the learning content relevant.

Cell phones, radio and mobile learning

Cell phone networks in Lesotho are concentrated in the bigger urban areas with their
use being limited in the mountainous rural areas. Using cell phones for learning will
be the way for future investment in Africa to explore wider delivery for ODEL instead
of more expensive web-based teaching and learning (COL, 2009). Cell phones will
soon have the processing possibilities of current desktop PCs. Equipped with powerful
digital cameras and interactive features, they can display digital video and audio files.
The fastest growth of cell phones in the developing world has been in sub-Saharan
Africa at some 77 million. However, 90 per cent of Africans in 2006 still lacked access
to a phone and 98.5 per cent were without Internet access (ICDE, 2009).

According to Mwangi (2009), “Lesotho has about 53,100 telephone lines and about
456,000 cellular mobile telephones in use. Its telephone system can be described as a
rudimentary system consisting of a modest but growing number of landlines, a small
microwave radio relay system and a small radiotelephone communication system. The
mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding. Maseru district accounts for 71 per
cent of the telephone lines, leaving the other nine districts to share the remaining 29
per cent. Public telephones are only found in urban areas, confirming that telephone
communication is very limited in the rural areas. The country has several radio stations
and one state-owned television station. There are about 83 Internets hosts and
about 70,000 Internet users. Radio plays a key role in promoting various development
initiatives. The broadcasting service covers about 75 per cent of the country with the
larger percentage in the urban areas. In the last decade the Government has issued a
number of radio licenses for private radio stations that have extended listeners’ choice
considerably.”

For learners in remote areas of Lesotho it would be possible to upload their MP-3
players or new technology cell phones at kiosks or post offices with learning materials
on civic education. This technology would also enable citizens to participate in the
political process. Transparency and accountability to the rule of law could be enhanced
through such an e-Government system (Government of Lesotho, 2005).

However, the digital divide is still too wide to claim any tangible successes in
e-learning, particularly for conflict resolution. More research is needed on how radio,
SMS texting and other electronic delivery modes could build peace by and for people
in communities.
Conclusion and recommendations

• The Motataisi Foundation

The way forward with the Meraka Institute’s Digital Doorway and the Motataisi
Foundation should include collaboration with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) to take civic education to the remote parts of Lesotho (Digital
Doorway, 2009). Fragmented actions of Desk-South Africa and Desk-Lesotho at the
Commonwealth Secretariat – in collaboration with Canada’s International Development
Research Centre (IDRC) plus the US Peace Corps Lesotho and the United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – have to be combined into a focused effort to involve all the
relevant players, such as the Open Learning Systems Education Trust (OLSET) of South
Africa. There is an excellent opportunity to partner with the Motataisi Foundation and
Wireless Africa. The Executive Director of OLSET has said that he welcomes negotiations
for civic education with conflict and peacekeeping modules (Naidoo, 2009).

• E xploring other methods of content delivery

Another method of content delivery that should not be ruled out is the use of Intelsat 10
(Baird, 2009). This satellite has a footprint across southern Africa and could be used to
transmit information to key locations. With satellite decoders or receivers at specified
locations such as libraries, schools or clinics, information could be distributed quickly
to these venues. Because of the high prices of bandwidth and low penetration of technology
into Lesotho, this could be a viable alternative.

Cell phone technology can also be used to inform participants of the dates and
times of new content being made available and where. Cell phones can also be used
to distribute short information snippets and to enhance the learning experience of
these participants by giving them the ability to ask questions through the sms system.
Feedback can then be easily given.

• A ccreditation of peacekeeping modules

Lack of civic education can be a contributing factor to many local conflicts. Broader
conflict resolution skills are a real need to solve disputes and conflicts so that that they
do not result in violence and corruption, especially at grassroots levels. Unfortunately
there are no accredited modules available. Consequently state subsidies cannot be
claimed under the Skills Development Act in South Africa, while unaccredited qualifications
elsewhere are not recognised for promotion of government officials, for example,
Correctional Services staff (de Beer, Fredericks and Bohloko, 2008). Accreditationof the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) PeacekeepingOperations Correspondence Instruction (POCI) for higher education institutions orvocational colleges in southern Africa is therefore a priority.
• B est practices quality civic education content

ODEL teaching and learning material should be unbiased without political indoctrination
and should, inter alia, promote the idea that “it is incompatible differences which
give rise to conflict … it is not the objective incompatibility that is crucial but rather
the perceived incompatibility” (Deutsch, 1991). Too often, conflict at the community
level is precipitated by inaccurate stereotypes, and the hypothesis is that the increased
knowledge resulting from increased contact between rival parties will reduce prejudice
levels. This makes sense because fear is a major cause of prejudice. In the case of the
other, we have “a fear of the unknown, a fear of the unfamiliar. If fear is the father of
prejudice, ignorance is its grandfather” (Stephan and Stephan, 2000, p. 38, quoted in
Spies, 2009).

References
AAU (Association of African Universities) (2005). AAU Newsletter, 11(1). www.aau.org/
newsletters/vol11no1.pdf
ACCORD (2008). Conflict Trends. Issue 2. Durban.
Afrobarometer (2006). Surveys. www.afrobarometer.org (Retrieved 9 February 2009).
Baird, N. (2009). . Private e-mail correspondence with the Instructional
Designer, Multimedia, Central University of Technology (CUT), South Africa.
COL (Commonwealth of Learning) (2006). “COL Activities in 2003–2006: Lesotho.” www.
col.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/Lesotho_03_06.pdf (Retrieved 9 February 2009).
COL (Commonwealth of Learning) (2009). “EdTech News.” Connections. 14(1). Vancouver:
Commonwealth of Learning.
de Beer, K.J. (1995). “Distance (Contact) Teaching at the Technikon OFS branches.” Selected
Conference Papers of the 17th World Conference of the International Council for
Distance Education. Birmingham, UK, 26–30 June.
de Beer, K.J., Fredericks, B. and Bohloko, G. (2006). “The In-Service Training of Correctional
Services Staff at the Satellite Campus and Regional Learning Centre, Kroonstad.”
INTERIM: Interdisciplinary Journal, 5(2).
Deutsch, M. (1991). “Subjective Feature of Conflict Resolution: Psychological, Social and
Cultural Influences.” In Vayrynen, R. (ed.). New Directions in Conflict Theory. London:
Wales Press.
Digital Doorway (2009). “Computer Literacy through Unassisted Learning Project of the
Meraka Institute.” Pretoria, South Africa: Council for Science and Industrial Research
(CSIR).
Government of Lesotho (2005). “ICT Policy for Lesotho.” Maseru: Government of Lesotho.
www.lesotho.gov.ls/documents/Lesotho_ICT_Policy_Final.pdf
ICDE (International Council for Open and Distance Education) (2009). “Global Trends in
Higher Education, Adult and Distance Learning.” Oslo: ICDE.
Mostert, J. (2009). . Private e-mail correspondence with the
Economic Advisor to the Northern Cape Provincial Government.
Murithi, T. (2006). “Towards a Symbiotic Partnership: The UN Peace-building Commission
and the Evolving African Union/NEPAD Post-conflict Reconstruction Framework.” In
Adebajo, A. and Scanlon, H. (eds.). Dialogue of the Deaf. Johannesburg: Jacana Media.
Mwangi, O. (2009). . Private e-mail correspondence with Dr. Mwangi,
Department of Political and Administrative Studies, National University of Lesotho.
Naidoo, G. (2009). . Private e-mail correspondence with the Executive
Director, Open Learning Systems Education Trust (OLSET).
Ntsekhe-Nzima, P. (2009). “The Motataisi Foundation: The Lesotho Digital Doorways.”
Evaluation report presented to the Commonwealth Secretariat and Meraka Institute.
Ochieng, Z. (2007). “NEPAD’s E-learning Project Faces Major Obstacles.” www.nationmedia.
com/eastafrican/current/News/news04060714.htm (Retrieved 11 February 2009).
Odendaal, A. (2000). “Peacebuilding in Lesotho: An Analysis of Political and Social Conflict
in Lesotho and the Role of the Centre for Conflict Resolution.” http://ccrweb.ccr.uct.
ac.za/archive/staff_papers/odendaal_lesotho.html (Retrieved 11 May 2009).
Santho, S. (2000). “Lesotho: Lessons and Challenges after SADC Intervention 1998.” In
Philander, D. Monograph No 50, Franco-South African Dialogue. www.iss.co.za/Pubs/
Monographs/No50/Chap8.html (Retrieved 14 May 2009).
Spies, C. (2009). Radio Broadcast on Conflict Resolution. South African Broadcasting
Corporation. 5 January.
Tladi, T. (2009). “A Critical Analysis of Conflict Transformation in Lesotho: An Application
of Paul Lederach’s Pyramid Model.” Unpublished MA Dissertation, University of the
Free State, Bloemfontein.

BEARS, NAMES AND MYTHS

2010-02-22T05:41:00.000-08:00

Donald Dewey (1991, Michael Friedman Publishing Group Inc, Great Britain) compiled an interesting coffee table book on bears. His research covers facts over the past forty million years, including the animal behavior of the various species, references to bear insignia in sport, art, religion and myth. One of the major characteristics is their territoriality (Ibid., p. 22). According to the author the bear is one of the most homely animals, however, could mark a territorial range over hundreds of square kilometers. Astral myths speculates whether bears are from the heavens. Subsequently Eastern and Western myths can be traced back to the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations, inter alia described by the Greek myth of Kallisto and Athems Ibid., p.34). Early Christian writings and folklore refer to the characteristics of the bear as typical sins that man should avoid, namely greed, gluttony, hiding in lurking places, lust, sloth and as an anti-intellectual symbol (Cf. ibid., pp. 56-63). Dewey quotes storytellers who describe the bear as a instrument of God’s wrath : “…Jeremiah’s observation in Lamentations that God in his anger was like a bear lying in wait…also in the Book of Hosea’s testimony of divine pique:’ I am the Lord your God…they forgot me… (so) I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs’ “(Ibid., pp. 62-63). In 2 Kings 2.24 God instructed bears to tear apart the children of Bethel who mocked the aged prophet Elisha (Ibid., p63). Christianity eventually adapted relevant references to the “good” qualities of the bear (Cf. ibid., p64).
The former Soviet Union used a bear “Misha” as an emblem at the 1980 Olympics while Russia was also depicted as the bear at the back door during the Cold War era. Numerous cities around the world used the bear as an emblem in some way or other as far back as 1200 (e.g. Berlin’s coat of arms Ibid., p.79).The Danish coat of arms also displays a standing bear in the left quarter of the shield. Many names referring to this animal could be configurated with the Teutonic stem “ber” in the word “bear”. For example the capitol of Switzerland, Bern, and which could be traced in my blog elsewhere. Other words are bier/beer, barley, berth, berg, bereave “but also such cognates as iron, feral, fertile and ferocious “ says Dewey (Ibid., p. 79).
From Kindergarten stories based on bears and their cubs, cuddling little toy teddy bears up to the bear and bullish stock markets either refer to the day dreams of children or the harsh reality that business cannot sell the skin of a bear before it is shot…and thereby hangs a tale still to be told.

KALLIE AND KAREL DE BEER BLOGS

2010-01-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

Dear readers, the original http://www.kareldebeer.blogspot.com address has since been restored, however, the new kalliedebeer.blogspot.com, also contains some information about the De Beer family roots of the author.

MY CANADIAN TRIP: 2009

2009-06-17T03:10:00.000-07:00

During a previous visit to universities in Canada, I was introduced to some state of the art on-line education systems that our Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) could also use in Open and Distance E-learning (ODEL) especially in the Northern Cape Province with its vast distances. Subsequently we invited experts such as Stephen Downs and Rory MacGreal to visit our in house conferences and moderated post doctoral studies on this subject matter. In my intended visit we hope to finalise research of online conflict management methodologies not only for the Northern Cape where our peacekeeping soldiers are trained, but for the whole of southern Africa. The aim is to construct an on-line civic education system both for Adult Basic Education, primary and secondary learners as well as students at universities who really need to become politically literate. In my next blog, I hope to publish some more about the b book publication of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in Vancouver.

COLESBERG KOPPIE: KIMBERLEY DIAMONDS

2009-06-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

The site upon which Kimberley is built has had several names. First, as farmland, it. was known as Bultfontein, When sub-divided, one portion 1 retained the original name, the other being re-named Vooruitzicht. Both portions neighbour Dorstfontein farm, better known as Du Toits Pan. Vooruitzicht was dubbed De Beers by diggers when that mine was first discovered on the farm in 1871, it being easier to pronounce than Vooruitzicht. When, in July, 1871, yet another mine was discovered only a few hundred yards distant from De Beers diggings, it promptly received the name De Beers New Rush. This proved Loo much of a mouthful and within weeks it had been shortened to New Rush. Just under what circumstances diggers came to call it Colesberg Kopje, other than that Fleetwood Rastornc, from Colesberg Town, discovered the new diggings, is uncertain. Though a lew diggers attempted to give it the name of Gilfillan, because a man of that name had earlier on pitched his tent under a large spreading kameeldoorn tree just after De Beers was discovered, the name never stuck. It remained Colesberg Kopje insofar as diggers were concerned until the township of Kimberley was established.
As the town grew, and the mines deepened, Colesberg Kopje gave way to the Kimberley Mine, though De Beers on the same farm retained its name. Gradually all the names previously in use were dropped. Today the world knows only of Kimberley, the diamond city in the Republic of South Africa. It is doubtful whether the majority of its citizens know of the various names it has had.
Few even know of more than the five mines, Kimberley Mine, De Beers Mine, Du Toits Pan Mine, Bultfontein Mine, and the Wcsselton Mine-which once was called the Premier Mine - yet scattered in a close group around the city are a number of others, among them St. Augustines, Otto's Hope, Taylors Kopje and Kamfers Dam. This last was earlier known as Roodedain. The first Premier Mine later became the Wesselton Mine, the name Premier being given to the great diamond mine close to Pretoria, from which the largest diamond ever found anywhere in the world, the -f. Cullinan, was recovered. There were other mines of lesser importance scattered around Kimberley.
The Governor, after his hasty visit to the diamond country, returned to the Gape, stopping overnight at Hope Town, where the citizens of that small plaec entertained him royally. They arranged yet another dance in his honour. Sir Henry, when thanking them, said he had enjoyed himself, but wondered why the ladies were so modestly and chastely dressed for such an
100
Many fine diamonds were found in (he rich gravels of the De Itccis mine in 1073.
The earlier openwork Dii Toil's Pan Diggings give place lo an ever deepening diamond mini-
and butten,at from 2s. 6d. to 5s. a pound, depending on its quality. Gi> was always plentiful and, therefore, cheap, springboks selling at 7s. Gd. am. 8s. and wildebeest at from IOs. to 15s. each. Boer meal cost 42s. per 200 pounds weight, mcalic-mcal 30s., and kaffircorn meal 25s. per 200 pounds.
Forage could never be fully supplied, and farmers received up to 2s. 6d. per bundle of four pounds in weight if of good quality. Lemons were cheap at 10s. a hundred, and these were bought on a large scale by hotels and canteens. There were buyers other than diggers, and great quantities of wool, hides and skins were bought by traders. Diggers spent their money on karosses and leopard skins. Well breyed jackal skins found eager buyers. Men returning home were the chief purchasers of the skins and feathers, to show to their folks at home.
Although there were a great many fistic encounters - and the blood often flowed freely - nobody seemed io use firearms for settling disputes. ..■ The salerooms were overstocked with discarded revolvers which had been brought to the diamond fields by newcomers who had probably read about the bad old days on the California^ goldfields. Men arrived on the diggings carrying them openly, but within an hour or two after descending from the mall carl discarded them for good. It did not take longer than that short period of time for them to realise they were drawing attention to themselves as being raw hands. They were ragged unmercifully by the older diggers and frequenters of the canteens they ventured into, their goodnatured tormentors advising them to get rid of their "hardware" as quickly as possible. Among the many men arriving on the diamond fields was a photographer named Gray, who had a studio, if it could so be called, ■•-in a building on the Market Square. The world is indebted to him for many hundreds of excellent photographs he took over a number of years which today enable us to see what the various diggings, the camps, and the growing townships of Kimberley and Beaconsfield were like then.
Among the photographs he took in 1872 was a scene of Main Street, Kimberley, showing a sodden earth roadway, a few galvanised iron houses, stores, and business places of the buyers and professional men. Wagons and carts stand around, horsemen move along the roadway, natives laze and sit smoking big pipes, and dogs slink about seeking food. In 1876, during an < excessive snowstorm, he photographed streets and houses covered with snow. The road is still rough, and there are no trees visible. One of his pictures shows the home of the De Beer brothers to be flat-roofed, galvanised, lacking a verandah or stoep, and the front wall arising cleanly from the surrounding
206
open veld. Today this old building has a verandah and stoep, and the front wall has been raised a few feet higher than its original level and this addition has the appearance of a roughly built parapet.
Though he was not the Erst of the diamond buyers Moritz linger was an early comer to ihe diamond fields. On arriving in South Africa he first established himself in Port Elizabeth as a buyer. It is likely he found the competition of the Petits and A. Mosenthal too much for him. At one period on ihe diggings he annoyed diggers, and probably lost on the deal, by them not coming to him with their diamonds, when he meanly asked them to pay him a fee of one shilling on each letter he carried with him on his several business trips to the seaport.
In the early days men were very independent, no matter what their social position was. They held that every man was equal. A man could be down on his luck one day, and by the help of a twist of a spade, or the stroke of a pick, he might be a rich man next day. All men on the diggings were gamblers, and gamblers as a rule don't put on side with each other. Life on the diamond fields was one great gamble for them all.
The ill-dressed individual was often the better born and bred. The gaily caparisoned "gentleman" was more often than not a prig and scum, an illicit diamond buyer and seller, a gambling rogue who fleeced the innocents, who salted worthless claims then disposed of them to newcomers, or jumped good ones whenever the opportunity offered.
In the Blue Post bar, kept by Wilson, Beit and Rhodes every morning took their mixture of champagne and stout. "Ah", Rhodes was often heard to say as he quaffed his draught with enjoyment, "Ah! It makes a man of you". It was in this bar that a rather disconsolate digger was standing moodily leaning against the counter, looking as doleful as an undertaker's shop with the shutters up, and evidently very low in the purse at the moment. There entered a gloriously arrayed fellow, a very great swell indeed, just arrived from England, who thought no end of himself. He was, no doubt, a goodhearted man, for after eyeing the sad-faced digger he went up to him and said, "You poor devil. Have a drink".
The moody one said unenthusiaslically, "All right", and had it.
"Poor devil. Have another", repeated the Englishman.
The digger again consented. This went on until the recent arrival had treated the man to seven tots. Yet the new chum was game, and for the eighth time gave the same polite invitation.
"Pooi devil. Have another?1'
207
THE STORY OF DE BEERS
wirh both elbows on the table and his mouth slightly open. " He had a habit when thinking, of tubbing his chin gently with his Forefinger. His manner and expression suggested that the larger part of his brain was dealing with something of which nobody else had cognizance. . . ,"
Gradually, however, camp life had focused his ideas on three objectives : (a) the necessity of bringing all the diamond claims under one control, thus not only making mining safer but also regulating the industry by equating the diamond output with world demand;
(b*) the acquisition of great wealth to enable him to prosecute large territorial schemes, (While not entirely Imperialistic at first, these schemes certainly became Imperialistic) ; and (f) the achievement of political power so that the objectives involved in
(a) and (£) might be the more easily realized.
The average worker in the mines at Kimberley, limited as to outlook, perturbed by the gradual fall in the price of diamonds but ignorant of the cause of it, still went on over-producing, working his claims strenuously against his neighbour and, as already indicated, by digging into his foundations, making diamond finding difficult and dangerous. The need for combination, centralization, increased from day to day.
In 1873, Rhodes had linked his De Beers holding with that of Rudd, and the two bought up other claims. In 1874 they were joined by Robert Graham, who participated in the purchase of Baxter's holdings in De Beers with Runch-man, Hoskyns and Puzey, who came in later, Orhers who combined in the purchase of claims in De Beers were Dunsmure and Alderson; also Stow, Compton and English. These three combines spread themselves gradually over the best De Beers claims. Their eventual union, advocated by Rhodes, led to the formation of the De Beers Mining Company, Ltd., with a capital of £200,000." In the meantime there remained outside, among others, the
1 The first activities of the Dc Beets Mining Company which took step* leading to the consolidation of the four mines, De Beers, Kimberley, Bultfontein and Duroitspan were concerned with the De Beers Wine. Included in its early holding were the claims in De Beers Mine owned by Stow, English and Compton, who remained on its board of directors during the whole of its life, and when it was absorbed hy De Beers Consolidated Mines, they joined the board of the Utter 48
RHODES AS DIAMOND MAGNATE AND POLITICAL POWER
Victoria Company in which J. Ferguson was prominent, the Elma Company 1 which belonged to Thomas Shiels and others, and the United Diamond Mining Company,
The De Beers Mining Company prospered. By March, 1885, it was the outstanding company at Kimberley and the leading concern within die De Beers Mine. Its capital was then £841,550. It seems strange to think that at one time the Rhodes-Rudd partnership had the offer of the whole of the De Beers Mine for £6,000 hut were unable to finance it and therefore dropped the scheme.
To sum up : In pursuance of Rhodes's first objective, he and Rudd had sponsored the preliminary combines which led to the formation of the De Beers Mining Company with a capital of £200,000.
Rhodes, now twenty-seven, took a step along the road towards the attainment ;. of his third objective, namely the achievement of political power. Griqualand West was formally annexed to the Cape Colony, and Rhodes was elected to represent the diamond constituency of Barkly West in the Cape Parliament.
In the Cape Parliament he soon stamped his will on current political thought.
The new-comer evinced no undue deference to the tried champions of debate.
Like young Disraeli facing the veteran Palmers ton he flashed a compelling sword.
1 He brought a broader vision into Parliament. He became a herald of new power.
Not long was it, indeed, before his ranging spirit—ever broadening and advancing—measured itself against the full strength of the prejudices of the British and the Cape Governments. He saw that Kruger, in pursuit of not unnatural ambitions of territorial expansion, intended to block the road that led to the north by annexing territory which extended across it, an early symptom of this being the establishment of the small Scellaland and Goschen republics, the latter containing the town of Rooi Grond, where Mafeking now is. Public men were presently to witness with wonder the extraordinary persistence with which this young man fought the President's intention, gradually compelling Downing Street to recognize that unless a Protectorate were declared by Britain over Bechuanaland, all the east-west territory immediately north of the Cape
Company. To-day chc sons of two of them—R. Philipson-Stow and Dr. A. G. W. Compton— are on the board, as is also H. P. Rudd, son of Rhodes's partner, C. D. Rudd, Wtd one of the founders of the I k Beers Mining Company.
To mark (he fact that the De Beers Mining Company was tht leader in die policy of the consolidation of the diamond mines, the name " Pe Beers " is perpetuated in the ritte of De Beets Consolidated Mines.
49
a. I*

Dr. K.J. De Beer 6 Bruwer Street Fichardt Park Bloemfontein
9322
2000-01-05
The Chief Director
Public Relations/Corporate Affairs
DE BEERS
Johannesburg 2001
RE: NEW CORPORATE IMAGE
With relerenee to your research regarding the De Beer logo, I include my research findings for your possible interest- 1 will be also interested to do further research about the origin of the De Beer family name in collaboration with your new venture to establish a new corporate logo.
Yours sincerely

DR. K.J. DEBEER

MALCOLM JOHANNES MATTHYS DE BEER

2009-06-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

From: Malcolm [malcolm.debeer@everitt.co.za]Sent: 06 June 2009 09:38 AMTo: De Beer KallieSubject: de Beer
Hi Kallie

It is with interest that I read your research on the de Beer genealogy. This is something that I wanted to do some years back but never got started. Recently I felt the urge to trace the steps of my fore’ fathers, where did they come from; and who were they!

My name is Malcolm Johannes Matthys de Beer born 30 September 1937 in Nkana Northern Rhodesia. I would appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction so that I can start the family tree. My email is malcoldb@vodamail.co.za

Kind regards
Malcolm de Beer
082 776 9998

MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT

2009-06-03T05:58:00.000-07:00

QUALIFIED MODERATOR FOR POST GRADUATE CANDIDATES

2009-06-03T05:47:00.000-07:00

WP DE BEER PASSED AWAY ON MY BIRTHDAY

2009-06-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

2009-06-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

MR. WILLEM PETRUS DE BEER

2009-06-02T03:58:00.001-07:00

HOW I REMEMBER MR. WILLIE DE BEER OF THE BLOEMFONTEIN TEACHER’S TRAINING COLLEGE

Uncle Boet, as we use to call him, was an example per excellence of an English lecturer. My vocabulary falls short to describe this role model of many an aspirant teacher. Especially in the Free State province of old when Afrikaans was the predominant language of this South African region which mainly consisted out of farmers and a concentration of miners in the Gold Fields. Afrikaans church going people with little exposure to the English versions of the Bible…In addition to that, there was only the Afrikaans daily news paper all over the province, namely “Die Volksblad” with one small English newspaper in Bloemfontein, namely The Friend. Sunday Newspapers, eg. The Sunday Times, were condemned by the church. Free Stators mainly listened to the Afrikaans radio station and Afrikaans soapies of those times, also in Afrikaans over Springbok Radio. The political status quo was to vote for the ruling National Party (NP) and not for the South African Party (SAP) that supported the British in World War II against the Germans. Afrikaners who did not sign an oath of loyalty to the war effort of South Africa were retrenched from their jobs in the government and private sectors during the Gen. JC Smuts ruled SAP government and before the NP took over after World War II. Consequently there was an anti British feeling among Afrikaners and subsequently not in love with the English language at all…And hereby hangs a tale…

Willem Petrus De Beer, an English teacher, who was brought up in a SAP orientated home due to his mother’s (auntie Trien) relations with the Squires and Steyn elite families most certainly got a chip from the proverbially English block. He took violin lessons while his mother also played an old pedaled organ when guests visited them for tea on Sunday afternoons. His father, Uncle Willy de Beer, was my grand father, Karel Johannes de Beer’s brother. (Confer to earlier publications on my Blog). Uncle Willy was also a very fine looking gentleman who was a painter on passenger coaches of the notorious South African Railways (SAR). Notorious in the sense that the SAR was compared with the best passenger train travel in the world! The coaches were originally build with imported wood, e.g. Burmese teak, which painters varnished it with skills that they developed themselves for the perfect customised finishing imaginable. Uncle Willy also decorated his own house interior with the wooden doorframes, cupboards, ceilings and floors which were imported woods, such as Baltic and Oregon pine. Uncle Willy had a grey Ford Custom Line which was also taken care of as if it were to become a collection item. Neatly covered under a white sheet in the garage when it was not used to drive to church and back. He milked his cow, planted green vegetables, fruit trees with lovely flowers in the springtime and fodder for the cow. He was a staunched businessman and ran a butchery after his retirement to pay for his son’s university education at the University of the Orange Free State (UOVS). Uncle Boet also worked in the butchery during his free time and used a bicycle from their little plot in Shannon on the outskirts of Bloemfontein to varsity and back which was approximately 20 kilometers from their home.

Uncle Willy and auntie Trien had no children of their own and adopted a little boy whom they baptized in the conservative Reformed Church as Willem Petrus De Beer.
He was selected on the school’s learner council and enrolled at the UOVS to become an English teacher. He taught for a while in secondary schools and eventually became a lecturer at the Bloemfontein Teacher’s Training College (BOK abbreviation in Afrikaans). Until this very day, alumni of the BOK as well as other lecturers who lectured with him as young inexperienced appointments, still remember Mister De Beer as a role model of a good teacher and educator who gave them the necessary professional guidance. As earlier stated, English teachers had no easy task to “convert” Afrikaner students into the Anglo Saxon world of English literature...Afrikaners of those times found it difficult to pronounce English words and seriously got mixed up with the present, past and future tenses! They became totally lost, especially with the incorrect use of the verbs that changed in plural and singular use. Reading aloud in English was a nightmare for any Afrikaner student who came from the rural sub regions of the Free State province where their grandfathers still told them about the war monstrosities of the British soldiers against the over 26 000 women and children whom they indirectly neglected to die in concentration camps during the Anglo Boer War (!899-1902). Consequently, De Beer and his fellow lecturers had a very hard time to educate these students about Shakespeare and poets such as Milton, and William Woodworth. The Oxford dictionary was even scaring off students to use it instead of the Afrikaans/English dictionary with a lesser degree of proper English nomenclature.

However, Mister De Beer became the head of the English Department and set an example which nobody could ignore. Not even the most staunched country bum…De Beer never reprimanded students who were not attending or tried to make funny remarks. He just carried on in such a manner that the “jokers” grew ashamed about themselves and actually felt the disapproval of fellow students, remembers my wife, Christa, who also took English lectures under him. He was the real English gentleman. Always correctly dressed in a suit with the correct tie knot. The refection of his clean spectacles and neatly combed hair portrayed the image of an educationist to be respected at first sight. He knew his Anglo Saxon literature and could read poems with the correct intonation, enjambments between the verse lines, pronunciations, enunciations and exclamations. According to my wife, who originates from Johannesburg and who had a wider background in English than us in Bloemfontein, was impressed by the way Mister De Beer articulated with his deep (sonorous) voice --not as a show of--but to subconsciously imprint the correct example of how the English language should be taught. In short, he established a love for English poetry, drama and simultaneously fostered the calling of true primary and secondary school teachers. The love for the profession was part of his calling, namely how to dignify the inferiority complex Afrikaner students and how to develop their professional image as teachers and leaders in their respective communities.

The older generation colleagues, like my colleague Doctor Henry Esterhuzen, a linguist by profession, and those who are still in the world of teaching remember Willem De Beer as that ‘one of a kind gentleman’ who grew out of the dusty and dry Free State soil into an example of an “Oxford trained academic” without visiting England during his training at all…

Very interestingly, he always used a cigarette box and lighter as well as a cigarette holder when he meticulously started this ceremonial ritual in style when smoking in the tearoom. WP De Beer respected female company which was seriously imposed by his mother. He also did some research about the De Beer family history. Uncle Boet got married to Sheila and they brought up three boys. We hope to publish some comments about their father later on this Blog..

LOST DE BEER FAMILY

2009-05-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

This email is subject to a disclaimer which may be found on our website by clicking on this link: disclaimer. If you would prefer, the disclaimer can be emailed to you by clicking here.

Hi There

My fiancé and I are looking for his lost De Beer family. His name is Fredrick Conraad de Beer, born 10 August 1975. He has not seen or heard from his fathers in the last 10 – 15 years. His father’s name is Barend Frederick De Beer, birthday 30 May.

Unfortunately we do not have any more information .

Hope and trust that you can assist

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Anneline De Jager
Team Leader
Quality Assurance
Tel +27 11 758 8071Fax +27 11 758 7691Cell +27 83 239 8621annelined@medscheme.co.za www.medscheme.co.za
PO Box 1101Florida Glen 170837 Conrad RoadFlorida NorthRoodepoort 1709
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KIMBERLEY DIAMOND HOLE

2009-05-20T02:07:00.000-07:00

BIGEST HOLE DUG BY HAND FOR DIAMONDS

2009-05-20T01:27:00.001-07:00

From: POLLAPOLLO@aol.com [mailto:POLLAPOLLO@aol.com] Sent: 14 May 2009 01:18 PMTo: De Beer KallieSubject: Re: NEW RUSH DIAMOND MINE

Hi Kallie,
Thank you for your very quick response and for posting my email on Facebook and forwarding it to other possibly informed parties.

Please find enclosed scans of the three albumen photographs by Gray and their close ups, plus a water colour sketch by a Lieutenant Ferrier [believed to be later Captain Louis John George Ferrier 1840-1878] dated 1872, although annotated verso thus;-

Colesburg Kopje. Griqualand West.
Looking from end of South Staging
end of Mount Ararat on left
claims in the blue clay
March 1873

DIGGING THE BIGGEST HOLE BY HAND FOR DIAMONDS

2009-05-20T01:21:00.000-07:00