The Education of White Elites in South Africa

Abstract

One of the best indicators of the character of an elite is its educational background. From this it can be determined whether elite positions are available to all in open competition or whether they are earmarked for only a few with a certain social and educational background. The high proportion of British elites, for example, who, until very recently had attended the English public schools and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge points to Britain being a case in the latter category. Elites which demonstrated such a uniformity as the British in their educational background could justifiably be referred to as a ruling class. This is because, apart from being drawn from the same social stratum, they would have had an educational experience which specifically prepared them for elite status. The effect of attending certain schools and universities would be to ensure a uniformity of values, outlook and behaviour (life-style) necessary to a ruling class. This examination of educational background contributes greatly to an understanding of the character of the elite itself. In addition, it is a feature of such select schools and universities that close personal relationships are established which persist into later life. These contribute to the closed network of extremely important personal relationships which often characterises an elite. The purpose of this paper is to identify such schools and universities as were outstanding in the education of the elite and describe their characteristics.