Figure 1.--"Gawie se Perel" is is an excellent example of old Afrikaans Christian youth literature. Not too sure of my translation but it's something to the effect of: 'Gawie's (a boy's name) Good Deed". Judging by the quality of the color photograph of the cover, it seems to be from the late 1940s or early 50s.

Afrikaans is the language developed by the Dutch settlers in South Africa. Both English and Afrikaans continue to be spoken in South Africa, but the black majority strongly prefers English, in part because most associate Afrikanns with Apartheid. A South African reader tells us, "Afrikaans literature is very much alive, vigorous and pursued with great enthusiasm." The Afrikaaner churches have palyed a promonent role in Afrikaans children's literature.

The Language

Afrikaans is the language developed by the Dutch settlers in South Africa. The language is easy to understand by Dutch people. According to a Dutch reader, " Afrikaans tickles one's funny bone, because it seems such a primitive, child-like language, derived from 16th century Dutch, enriched with some native African and Malayan words. But they always make up new words that make a lot of sense, like refrigerator = ijskassie (ice box) , automobile = wa (from the word wagon), etc." HBC of course has a Dutch glossary, but not one on Afrikaans for clothing related terms. We suspect that the clothing terms are quite similar. Both English and Afrikaans continue to be spoken in South Africa, but the black majority strongly prefers English, in part because most associate Afrikanns with Apartheid.

Literature

A South African reader tells us, "Afrikaans literature is very much alive, vigorous and pursued with great enthusiasm."

Children's Literature

Gawie se Perel is is an excellent example of old Afrikaans Christian youth literature. Not too sure of my translation but it's something to the effect of: 'Gawie's (a boy's name) Good Deed". A Dutch reader tells us, "Gawie se perel" should translate to "Gawie's pearl". A strange title, because one does not associate a boy with pearls, but I think the author meant something of value for that boy." Judging by the quality of the color photograph of the cover, it seems to be from the late 1940s or early 50s. The book is published (no date) by C.U.M. , an Afrikaans Christian publishing company. The Afrikaaner churches have played a promonent role in Afrikaans children's literature. The booklet is from the "Speelmaats" series (Playmates) and features a story of life skills and good values.

Clothing

The cover here displays a typical example of primary school boyswear of the day. Though not clear in the photograph, the boys are wearing brown leather lace-up shoes. Generally as a rule, Afrikaans schools favoured brown leather shoes. The black trousers look typically from the 1940s and the boys are wearing long sleeve shirts and pullovers. No doubt a posed photograph as due to the temperate summer weather, it's unlikely the boys would have been so overdressed for such a hot day. Nowadays, primary school children's dress is far lighter and are allowed to go to school barefoot.

Created: February 15, 2003
Last updated: February 15, 2002