Rewriting South Africa's conservation history — the role of the Native Farmers Association

Abstract

A contention fundamental to this study is that, arising from the Eurocentric nature of South African conservation history, severe distortions and imbalances exist, particularly with regard to the role and perceptions of blacks. Scant attention has been paid to precolonial ecological practices and ideas. In addition, many studies in conservation history have romanticised the past, glossing over or omitting the contemporary socio‐political context. This study seeks to address some of these shortcomings by recounting the history of the Native Farmers Association, established in 1918. It is contended that the Association was the first organisation to espouse a formal conservation ethic among blacks, as opposed to traditional cultural mechanisms and beliefs which had the unplanned consequence of protecting the environment. It is further contended that, through its struggle to secure land rights and agricultural training for blacks, as well as its fight against racial discrimination, the activities of this orga...