Papers by Louis Grundlingh
Urban History
In the 1920s and 1930s, the all-powerful Johannesburg Council, comprising English-speaking middle... more In the 1920s and 1930s, the all-powerful Johannesburg Council, comprising English-speaking middle-class white males, realized the importance of providing leisure spaces and sport facilities for its white residents and prioritized the building of swimming baths in their suburbs. It was regarded as the ideal facility, supporting the growing demand for outdoor activity. The upswing in the economy in the 1920s and especially in the 1930s, expedited this endeavour, as it eased the financial expenditure. As a result, Johannesburg could boast 10 new swimming baths by the end of the 1930s. The council was adamant that the swimming baths should be on a par with international standards. This venture fitted comfortably into the larger project of transforming the economically vibrant Johannesburg into a modern city. In contrast, the first swimming bath for Johannesburg's black residents was only built in the mid-1930s, proving that racial considerations determined the council's provisio...
Historia, 2017
One of the aims of Johannesburg's British controlled town council after the South African War (18... more One of the aims of Johannesburg's British controlled town council after the South African War (1899-1902) was to provide open public leisure spaces for its white citizens. The establishment and development of Ellis Park as a major sport centre was one of these endeavours. In 1908 the council bought disused land in New Doornfontein, taking the first step towards achieving this grand vision, namely the construction of a swimming bath that met all the requirements for an international tournament. The First World War interrupted any further development but the 1920s witnessed impressive expansion to include tennis courts, cricket pitches and rugby football grounds. By the end of the 1920s the council and the Transvaal Rugby Football Union that was a key stakeholder in the development, could proudly claim that they had achieved their dream of establishing an international sports arena for Johannesburg. Ellis Park became a significant urban marker, a symbol of prestige for the fast growing city as well as in the transformation of Johannesburg's urban fabric into a modern city.
Historia, 1991
This article questions whether the common notion that the Second World War was a catalyst for the... more This article questions whether the common notion that the Second World War was a catalyst for the development of political consciousness amongst African soldiers who had participated in the war is also applicable to the 76 000 black South African soldiers. Changes in soldiers' attitude as well as in that of the government of General J.C. Smuts are investigated, and the nature and duration of these changes are emphasised. Specific reference is made to racial attitudes. Furthermore, the factors inhibiting change are highlighted. Ironically, it seems that both aspects -changes in attitudes as well as a lack thereof -might have given rise to the development of a political consciousness. However, to render any form of political consciousness effective solidarity amongst the participants was imperative. The question is whether any form of solidarity developed amongst these soldiers and, if so, at what level. Finally, an evaluation is made of the above-mentioned factors against the bac...
South African Historical Journal, 1991
Ever since the advent of recorded history man has engaged in warfare-so much so that it sometimes... more Ever since the advent of recorded history man has engaged in warfare-so much so that it sometimes seems that prevailing conditions of mankind, were merely interrupted from time to time by brief episodes of peace. This book records this phenomenon cyclically-from peace to outbreak, through campaigns, battles, sieges, invasions, retreats, surrenders, aftermath and return to peace.
South African Historical Journal, 1990
South African Historical Journal, 1999
Based on the Channel 4 documentary produced by the History Workshop at the University of the Witw... more Based on the Channel 4 documentary produced by the History Workshop at the University of the Witwatersrand and Free Film Makers, Soweto: A History is a remarkably rich and important account of the history of South Africa's largest black and most enigmatic city, ...
... Abstract Information. Breë veld van SA geskiedenis bondig bespreek. A concise history of Sout... more ... Abstract Information. Breë veld van SA geskiedenis bondig bespreek. A concise history of South Africa, Robert Ross : book review. Journal Title: Historia; Volume: Volume 45; Issue: Issue 2; Publication Date: 2000; Pages: p.535 - 537; Authors: Louis Grundlingh; ISSN: 0018229X; ...
Abstract: Approximately 76 000 black South Africans joined the Union Defence Force (UDF) during t... more Abstract: Approximately 76 000 black South Africans joined the Union Defence Force (UDF) during the Second World War, thus constituting one quarter of the active South African forces supporting the Allies' war effort. In addition, there were also a large number of unattested ...
New Contree
Following on the commitment of the Johannesburg Town Council and an increasing demand to provide ... more Following on the commitment of the Johannesburg Town Council and an increasing demand to provide facilities for exercise and relaxation, Johannesburg’s mayor opened the Town’s first public swimming bath on the 18th of January, 1909. Unease was felt in Britain about the health of urban residents at the time. These municipalities’ efforts of improvement reflected in the psyche of members of Johannesburg’s Town Council to ensure a healthy urban environment. One of the ways was to provide a swimming bath, as many viewed swimming as an ideal way to relax and exercise, especially considering Johannesburg’s warm climate. An additional, and potent, reason for a swimming bath was the belief that it would further contribute to the prestige of the Town. Financing the swimming bath, both in terms of its construction and maintenance, was always a concern. With this in mind, the Town Council initially proposed the conversion of the Berea disused reservoir but eventually, the Town Council decided ...
Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe
The great outdoor living room of the city": A survey essay on the thoughts and aims of urban park... more The great outdoor living room of the city": A survey essay on the thoughts and aims of urban park development in the late 19th and early 20th century in Europe and the United States of America
Africa and the Second World War, 1986
International Journal of African Historical Studies, 1992
The Union Defence Force (UDF), by virtue of its structure and operation, exercised much greater c... more The Union Defence Force (UDF), by virtue of its structure and operation, exercised much greater control over those who were involved in it than other organizations in South Africa. This in itself is not unusual, but it immediately acquires additional significance in the ...
New Contree a Journal of Historical and Human Sciences For Southern Africa, 2011
In what way are gay men actually harmful to society? "In what way are gay men actually harmful to... more In what way are gay men actually harmful to society? "In what way are gay men actually harmful to society?" Exploring the evidence on the feasibility of amendments to the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957
South African Historical Journal, 1980
South African Historical Journal, 2001
Transafrican Journal of History, 1992
Contree / [Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing, Instituut vir Geskiedenisnavorsing, Afdeling Streekgeskiedenis]
Die artikel ondersoek die aard van stigmatisering, diskriminasie en moraliteit in die Suid-Afrika... more Die artikel ondersoek die aard van stigmatisering, diskriminasie en moraliteit in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing nadat MIVNIGS ook hier sy verskyning gemaak het. Aanvanklik het godsdienstige fundamentaliste homoseksueles daarvan beskuldig dat hulle deur die virus besmet is omdat hulle homoseksueel is. Hierdie sienings is aangevul deur die middelklas waardes van die tyd wat epidemies met sedeloosheid vereenselwig het. Die regering sou feitlik niks doen om voorkoming van MIV in die homoseksuele gemeenskap te bekamp nie. Deur die "ander" (in hierdie geval die MIVNIGS-Iyer) te stigmatiseer en ook teen die persoon te diskrimineer, kon heelwat Suid-Afrikaners die Iyers en die hele vraagstuk rondom MIVNIGS ignoreer. 'n Nuwe kategorie van onderskeiding is so geskep: "ons" (die gesonde heteroseksuele gemeenskap) en "hulle" (die besmette homoseksuele gemeenskap). Stigmatisering en diskriminasie teenoor swartmense, wat alreeds lank in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks bestaan het, het teen 1987 'n nuwe dimensie bygekry toe die eerste swart heteroseksuele persoon as MIV+ identifiseer is. Die persepsie het nou toegeneem dat aile swartes vir die epidemie verantwoordelik gehou behoort te word. Hierdie rassistiese siening het baie daartoe bygedra dat enige anti-MIVNIGS program van die regering, hoe goed bedoel ookal, as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan legitimiteit in die swart gemeenskappe verwerp is. Gevolglik is niks effektief in die 1980s gedoen nie. Dit wi! voorkom of die hoofargument wei onderskryf kan word: dat stigmatisering van en diskriminasie teenoor gemarginaliseerde groepe, rassisme en homofobie so wei as 'n konserwatiewe moraliteit wat 'n sterk invloed uitgeoefen het, daartoe gelei het dat 'n guide geleentheid om MIVNIGS te bekamp, verlore gegaan het. R. Goldstein, "AIDS and the Social Contract" in E. Carter and S. Watney (eds), Taking liberties: liDS and cultural politics (London, 1989), p. 84.
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Papers by Louis Grundlingh