Die ontwikkeling van volksgesondheid in Brakpan, 1919-1945

M.A. (History)Public health as a phenomenon only developed in S.A. during the 20th century. These developments largely resembled the developments already prevalent in the Western World of the time. Public health as a concept was essentially the control of contagious diseases as well as the preservation of a clean and hygienic environment for the inhabitants of a certain area. However, the realities prevalent in South Africa during 1900-1945 contributed towards the fact that public health had to play a subordinate role in society. On local levels, political, social and economic factors contributed to the fact that the health of whites and blacks (who were forced together within the municipal boundaries of Brakpan) displayed divergent characteristics. The polarization that took place in the South African health services was largely due to the sanitation syndrome which form the basis of the apartheid legislation that was determined by the Native (Urban Areas) Act of 1923. The separation of residential areas necessitated the duplication of health facilities in order to make provision for the different groups and this situation led to the unequal treatment experienced by different races..