Die rol van die Saamwerk-Unie in die beslaggewing van Afrikaanse taaleksamens in Natal, 1917-1928

摘要

>The role of the Co-operative Union in establishing Afrikaans language examinations in Natal, 1917-1928
This article deals with the role of Afrikaner Nationalists who had striven to develop the selfassertiveness of their compatriots by means of promoting Afrikaans. Their attempt was aimed at obtaining an equal position to the deeply-rooted British tradition in Natal. The Co-operative Union (“Saamwerk-Unie") consequently had taken up position in the midst of the language problems. The Union made a deliberate attempt at promoting the development of Afrikaans by means of establishing the first language examinations in Afrikaans. This examination system evoked greater interest with every passing year and resulted in a clash between the Co-operative Union and the South African Language Union. The Language Union, with its Dutch language examinations, was the embodiment of the Dutch influence, while the Co-operative Union promoted Afrikaans at grass roots level. A compromise between the two organisations thus had to be made. A joint Examination Commission was therefore established in 1928. Consequently, the new cultural pattern which had been launched by the Co-operative Union was acknowledged in the ranks of the Afrikaner.