Die motief, struktuur en funksionering van die Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging

Abstract

At the start of this scientific inquiry the problem, the topicality, the methodological justification, the delimitation of the field of study and the structure of the dissertation were outlined. Subsequently it was indicated that the Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging* (The Transvaal Teachers' Association) fills a very special place as an independent association within the school system of the Transvaal at one level and the educational subsystem for Whites in the Republic of South Africa at a more general level. The Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging is part of the Federal Council of Teachers' Associations and of the South African Teachers' Council for Whites. Together with the other White teachers' associations the Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging renders service towards the promotion of the White teaching profession and of the status of the teacher in this country. The Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging has its own history, but it is so intricately interwoven with the cultural-historical development of the Christian Afrikaner nation that no division of the various historical facets is possible. The Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging makes a contribution in the establishment and the promotion of Christian Afrikaner culture, but it has also at the same time developed a unique mode of existence, supported by a particular view of life, which in this instance is the principle of Christian nationalism. Specific religious ground motifs have also been identified. A distinction was made among five ground motifs that are discernible in Western philosophy. These ground motifs have had an influence on the cultural-historical development of the Afrikaner nation. The humanist ground motifs and the religious ground motif of Creation, Fall and Redemption have been identified as the dominant moving powers in the course of White South African history. The Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging, it has been found, is religiously linked to the God of the Bible, and is therefore founded in, determined and directed and guided by the religious ground motif of Creation, Fall and Redemption. The organizational structure and the functioning of the Transvaalse Onderwysersvereniging carry the stamp of its religious ground motif. It has been determined that this association has a firm, well-structured organization and that it has made significant contributions over a wide front (professionally and culturally) , and that it is continuing to do so.