The Afrikaner Broederbond arose from Dutch-speaking Afrikaners in response to a number of circumstances.
- Afrikaner people had lost independence in the Anglo-Boer war, which ended in 1902, and although the South African constitution stated that both white groups, the English and the Afrikaners, had equal rights, in actuality the Afrikaners were treated as inferiors.
- The English treated the Afrikaners and their language contemptuously, viewing them as lesser citizens. Because of these attitudes and inequalities there was a threat of civil war between the English and Afrikaans speaking groups in early 1918.
It was in part a response to this, that D.H.C. du Plessis, D. Naude, H. Klopper and others began to hold meetings to discuss what should be done to protect Afrikaner interests. They decided to form a pro-Afrikaner organization called Jong Suid-Africa, the first meeting of which was held in May of 1918. This name was subsequently changed in June of 1918 to the Afrikaner Broederbond, which means Association of Brothers.
W.A. DeKlerk states in The Puritans in Africa: A Story of Afrikanerdom (London: Rex Collings 1974), that "the Afrikaner Bond had come out of the Afrikaans Language Movement." It was not until 1921 that the Bond became a secret society, in response to persecution of members, primarily those in the civil service, who had a great deal to lose if their activities became known to the English.
Membership in the Afrikaner Broederbond
The Broederbond's motto was 'Wees Sterk', meaning 'Be Strong', and it looked for members who would embody that motto.
- Only men belonging to the Afrikaner ethnic group were eligible
- All were white males over the age of twenty-five, who were practicing Calvinists.
- The contender must strive "for the external existence of a separate Afrikaner nation with its own language and culture", give "preference to Afrikaners", uphold "Afrikaans in his home, in his job and in the community at large", be a Protestant, have "nothing in his person, character or behavior that precludes him from brotherhood", be "principled, faithful and cautious", be financially stable, and be "willing to take part actively, regularly and faithfully in all the functions and activities of the Bond."
The functioning members of the society voted on the new candidates; only if there was an unanimous vote would a new member be accepted into the Brotherhood.
- All who were chosen were at the top of their occupations, and rural members were taken from the local Afrikaners who were in high social standing.
- Urban members were chosen from the civil service, youth leaders, attorneys and the like.
Characteristics of Broeder members
Theoretically, all members of the Bond were equal. There were ten traits that laid out the relationship between individual members and the members and the Bond itself. In Brotherhood of Power: An Expose of the Secret Afrikaner Broederbond (Bloomington: Indiana University Press 1978) J. Serfontein describes these traits as follows:
- "We must regard each other as kindred souls."
- Pertaining to his interaction with other brothers "a member must be loving, sympathetic and tolerant."
- "...have an appreciation for a Broeder in your association with him..."
- Have complete trust in one another.
- "...realise that Brotherhood means to serve."
- "...always be prepared to take the initiative in the battle of the volk..."
- Be self disciplined.
- Take a sincere interest in each other.
- "...know, appreciate and respect each other's abilities, however weak."
- "...keep the faith in the guidance and of destiny by and Almighty Father and in the justice of the Afrikaner cause."
All members were expected to exhibit these traits.
Organization of the Afrikaner Broederbond
Additional Source:
B. Bunting The Rise of the South African Reich. [London: Penguin Books Ltd. 1964]
