AFRIKANER RESEARCH LIBRARY
The library of the Heritage Foundation began in 2001 when the Hertzog Trust collection arrived on loan at the Voortrekker Monument. At that stage, the administrative and professional staff were still housed in the house on the grounds. From that moment, Mrs. Estelle Pretorius (the first librarian) actively began to set up a library.
The Afrikaner Research Library is situated in the Erfenissentrum. It is open for public visit Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00, and every second Saturday of the month (February to November) from 08:00 to 13:00.
When the library moved to the Heritage Centre in 2008, the library immediately received many donations from benefactors and the Gauteng library services. The library’s collection began to gather historical themes such as the Great Trek, The Rebellion of 1914–1915, the Voortrekker Monument and the Afrikaner Republics, to name just a few. The collection expanded to the historical value behind the Afrikaner heritage sites such as Bloedrivier, Vegkop and Slagtersnek. Information about famous Afrikaner figures, for example Koos de la Rey and Paul Kruger, is collected with Great Trek heroes such as Andries Pretorius and many more.
When the history of heritage sites and heroes is not enough, the library also collects themes such as the origin of towns and cities within the Republic and themes concerning the culture, music, language and literature of the Afrikaner. Because it is the Heritage Centre’s policy to collect only Afrikaner history themes, the library only collects art and literature that have contributed greatly to Afrikaner development.
The Genealogical Society of South Africa’s North Gauteng Branch houses its entire collection of books at this library. It serves as a major attraction for genealogists, researchers and anyone who would like to trace their family history.
While the Heritage Centre can be proud of its book collection, it can also boast a large collection of magazines, including Die Ster, Panorama, Huisgenoot and Die Jongmens, to name just a few. Along with the magazines, the library also houses a collection of state newspapers and debates, dating from the era of Natalia, Transvaal, Orange Free State and the Cape Colony.
The library may have started with the Hertzog collection, but it has grown to eventually create a research centre for anyone who wants to learn more about his or her history and to create a haven for the Afrikaner story.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT RESOURCES
For any enquiries about available resources, contact Lizette lizette@kultuurtuiste.org.za
