Die bydrae van enkele liggaamlike opvoedkundiges tot die ontwikkeling van die vak in Suid–Afrika vanaf die begin van die twintigste eeu
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to document, systematize and analyse the contributions of some leading Physical Educationists to the establishment and development of Physical Education in South Africa. The main methodological approach used to realise this objective was the historical-analytical method, by which the data were systematized and analysed thematically and chronologically. With a view to the systematization of data, tilt! following main aspects were chosen according to which the contributions were analysed: • Training and instruction • Research and publications • Administrative and organisational aspects - in particular to Physical Educational and sports associations and professional journals. Although several factors were considered in determining the value of the contributions, the emphasis fell on the nature, extent and quality of the
contributions made in the fields already mentioned. To do research on only a few Physical Educationalists, a selection had
to be made from 35 leading persons in this field in South Africa. Information on the work, approaches and involvement of these 35 persons were obtained by personal interviews and correspondence, and by
studying documents, annual reports, minutes, journals, newspapers, dissertations and theses. After the relevant information had been gathered, the following criteria
were applied to analyse the contributions of the chosen persons and to select three of them for further study: 1. Training and instruction 1.1. Establishment and development of the subject 1.1.1. Administrative control over training and instruction 1.1.2. Institution of courses and subjects, as well as the compilation of syllabuses 1.1.3. Implementation and expansion of facilities and equipment
1.1.4. Methods of presentation and aids used
1.2. Personal influence 2. Research 2.1. Own research 2.2. Project leadership and assistance to students 2.3. Publications
2.4. Papers presented 3. Administrative and organising aspects 3.1. Associations for Physical Education 3.2. Sports associations.
3.3. Physical Educational journals. 3.4. Festivals and public appearances. 3.5. Other projects, such as fitness programmes and film production. The application of this set of criteria to the nature, extent and quality
of the work by the previously mentioned 35 persons facilitated the selection process, but still could not succeed in pinpointing only three persons for the study. For this reason, additional criteria were chosen according to which three persons could responsibly be selected. These criteria were connected with aspects such as the geographical regions
where the persons worked for the longest periods of time; the particular subjects or fields of interest in which they specialised; the specific fields in which they made their most important contributions; and the period in which they made the contributions.
On the basis of these additional criteria, the following three persons were selected: J.W. Postma, C.M. Smit and D.P.J. Smith. The contributions of these three persons to the development of the subject of Physical Education in South Africa were dealt with under the following headings: 1. Biographical sketch 2. Views on Physical Education and sport 3. Contributions to training and instruction 4. Research contributions 5. Contributions particular to Physical Educational and sports associations and professional journals. To provide the necessary background information and to get a dear picture of the position these three persons had in the history of Physical
Education in South Africa, as well as the conditions in which they had to work, one chapter was set aside for a survey of the development of Physical Education in South Africa between 1900 and 1982. Following
that, the contributions of J.W. Postma, C.M. Smit and O.P.J. Smith to the development of the subject were dealt with in separate chapters. During the study the following conclusions were drawn with regard to
the contributions of J.W. Postma, C.M. Smit and D.P.J. Smith to the development of Physical Education in South Africa. J W POSTMA: Postma's contribution should be viewed in the light of the circumstances
in which Physical Education was presented at that time. These were the formative years of Physical Education and Postma had to do pioneering work in various fields. Whereas certain aspects of the subject are nowadays
being taken for granted, Postma then had to fight for the subject's right of existence.
Postma's most important contribution with regard to the training of students of Physical Education was his management and the development of the Department of Physical Education at the University of Stellenbosch.
He made a special contribution to the institution and development of courses and subjects, as well as the drafting of syllabuses. He was responsible for the institution of the section of Tests and Measurements in the Physical Education course at the Department. The importance of including this section in a Physical Education course has since been realised by other educational institutions. It is therefore largely owing to Postma (as well as Smith) that Tests and Measurements (later called Evaluation) was included in the courses for Physical Education students in South Africa. Besides Tests and Measurements, Postma also contributed to other theoretical sections of the subject such as Anthropometry, Principles, Method and Organisation, and Administration. He expanded factual knowledge on these subjects at Physical Education Departments throughout South
Africa by means of publications and papers.
Postma also strove for the implementation of better training facilities, especially in research. He also saw to it that the most vital scientific reference works and journals were made available to Physical Education students. Postma was an enthusiastic lecturer and inspired his students. Postma's most important contribution in the field of research lies in the fact that he was one of the first Physical Educationalists in South Africa to begin research on the subject. Not only did he personally undertake many research projects, but he also inspired his students to do research and gave them valuable critical guidance in their work. The fact that Postma was an expert in the field of Physical Education as a whole, led to several publications on a wide spectrum of subsections within the subject. The large number of publications for which he was
responsible, ensured that his views on the subject were propagated throughout South Africa. His book Inleiding tot die Liggaamlike
Opvoedkunde should be seen as his biggest and most important research contribution to the development of the subject. Postma's involvement with Physical Educational journals and organisations in South Africa ensured growth in these two fields of the subject. Postma made a particularly valuable contribution to the development of the South African Association for Sport Science, Physical Education and Recreation. He was responsible in various capacities and in several fields for the establishment and development of this organisation. He can be
seen as one of the most important founder members of this body, which came to be known as SAASSPER, and which is highly esteemed. C.M. SMIT: As was the case with Postma, Smit had to pioneer and found the subject and had to fight for its development and survival. His contributions were especially in the following fields: the establishment and development of Physical Education at schools and Physical Educational organisations; the establishment and development of Physical Education and sport at the University of Pretoria; the development of the subject by means of research and publications, as well as through services rendered to Physical Educational and sports associations. With regard to the development of training and instruction as part of Physical Education, Smit did important work in two aspects. In the first
instance, he did pioneering work as the first organiser of Physical Education at the Union Education Department and the National Advisory Council for Physical Education (NACPE). He had the gigantic task of
establishing Physical Education at the widely diffused schools of the Union Education Department and to advise all voluntary physical culture clubs throughout the country. To succeed in this, he had to design new systems, present training courses, give professional advice, decide on the purchase and supply of Physical Educational and sports equipment, and manage several administrative affairs. One of Smit's biggest assets was his ability to instill in teachers and instructors his own knowledge, love and enthusiasm for Physical Education. During his involvement with the Union Education Department and NACPE Smit was responsible for the compilation of the national syllabus for Physical Education in South Africa. This can rightly be seen as one of Smit's most important contributions to improve the instruction of Physical Education in South Africa. Secondly, Smit made a great contribution to promote the training and
instruction of Physical Education in South Africa by the work he did as professor at the Department of Physical Education and as Director of the Institute for Physical Education at the University of Pretoria. He had to establish and manage both these departments. He was responsible for the creation of sport structures at the University of Pretoria, the planning and development of sport grounds, the purchase of equipment and for advertising sport clubs. As head of the Department of Physical Education, he had a big part in the instituting and developing courses and subjects, as well as in making adjustments and changes to upgrade the quality of training of Physical Education students. The standard of training was improved further by Smit's constant efforts to increase the quality of the facilities used in training. In this regard, special mention has to be made of the construction of the building in which the Department
of Physical Education is housed, and the building of the L. C. de Villiers Stadium and sport grounds. The efficient way in which Smit managed the Department of Physical Education led to the expedient and effective training of students. Apart from the efficient control which Smit had over the Physical Education building and its staff, he also made an effort to maintain good relation between the personnel and students. For example, he took the initiative in organising Physical Education tours and forming a Physical Education Society at the University of Pretoria. Because of the heavy work load that Smit had to bear during his employment
at the University of Pretoria and the Union Education Department, he had little time left for research work and publications. He tried
to expand his knowledge of the subject by studying publications, undertaking study tours and attending conferences on Physical Education. His contribution to research on the subject consisted of some research projects he completed on his own, as well as guidance to post-graduate students. With regard to publications, he was responsible
for some books (mostly as co-author) and several articles published in journals such as Physical Education and Vigor. Smit contributed his services to outside organisations. He was involved in the South African Association for Sport Science, Physical Education and Recreation from r its inception. During this time he acted as
chairman (1952) and worked on several of the organisation's committees. Apart from being involved in several branches of sport at the University of Pretoria, he also offered his services to national and provincial sport
bodies. D.P.J. SMITH: As was the case with Postma and Smit, Smith's contributions to the development of Physical Education in South Africa should be seen against the circumstances surrounding the subject at that time. Because the subject was not given recognition, Smith had to do pioneering work in many fields. He was one of the few Physical Educationalists who succeeded
in making a balanced contribution to each of the following aspects of the subject: training, research and services rendered to outside
organisations. Smith's contributions in the field of training are mainly related to his
involvement with the Potchefstroom Teachers' Training College and the Potchefstroom University. He was the first person to be permanently appointed as lecturer of Physical Education at the Potchefstroom University. In this capacity he was not only responsible for the training of
Physical Education students, but also for the organisation and presentation of advancement classes for teachers. In both cases Smith did pioneering work, especially in the establishment and development of Physical Education courses and subjects, as well as the compilation of syllabuses for these subjects. Because of his efforts to improve the quality and quantity of Physical Educational facilities and equipment at the College, the standard of instruction improved. During this time Smith was also
responsible for the organisation and presentation of several exhibitions related to Physical Education. In this way the public was introduced to the nature, content and methods of instruction of the subject, and prospective students were motivated and recruited. Smith's work as lecturer, marked by enthusiasm, energy and purposefulness in presenting the subject, played a definite role in improving the standard of training
at the College's Department of Physical Education. The contributions Smith made to training during his involvement with the
Potchehtroom University, can be summarised as follows: In the first place he established and developed the Department of Physical Education at the University. Due to his capable administration of the Department, the training of students could be effected successfully and effectively. In the second place Smith did pioneering work in the institution of courses and subjects, as well as the compilation of syllabuses. He saw
to it that the contents of the courses were scientific, applicable and practical. In the third instance, the quality of instruction which Smith offered his students was exceptionally high. Not only were his lectures
well prepared, systematic and of a high standard, but his method of presentation was also stimulating, interesting and very effective. His example had a positive influence on his students. In the fourth instance, the standard of instruction was improved due to the acquisition of better
facilities and equipment, which was largely the result of Smith's efforts. Smith's contributions in the field of research in Physical Education can be summarised as follows: He did pioneering work in establishing research in Physical Education
at the Potchefstroom University. He provided expert and inspired guidance to students in their own research projects. He maintained good contact with experts and remained informed on new developments in the subject by attending conferences and symposia. He was responsible for several publications which were scientific, orderly and polished. With regard to services rendered to outside organisations, Smith made large and valuable contributions. Apart from his involvement with organisations such as the Road Safety Council and the Church, Smith did extremely valuable work for Physical Educational and sports associations. He was involved in the research section and several committees of the Physical Educational organisation SAASSPER, and made valuable contributions during discussions at its conferences. In the field of sport, he offered his services in various capacities, such as coach, administrator,
selector, official and president, on club and national level. Although he was principally concerned with athletics and tennis, his assistance was valuable to sportsmen across the board. For him it was his life's work to be of service to sportsmen and sports women. He was also of service to the public through his involvement with several fitness projects. In the 1940's he presented exercise classes to the public in Parys, and during the 1960's and 70's he played a leading role in fitness
projects launched by the National Fitness Scheme. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the following three leading South African Physical Educationalists - J.W. Postma, C.M. Smit and D.P.J. Smith - had made valuable contributions to the development of Physical Education in South
Africa. Their contributions were analysed under the following headings: Training and instruction Research and publications
Administrative and organising aspects - in particular to Physical Educational and sports associations and professional journals. All three of them succeeded to a large extent in maintaining a healthy balance between these three aspects of their work. The researcher hopes that this study will give the Physical Educationalist of today new insight into the origins of this subject and that there will be a renewed appreciation of the work done by the pioneers of Physical Education in South Africa.
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