Shifting identifications in Dutch-South African migration policies (1910-1961)

This article examines the migratory movement from the Netherlands to SouthAfrica and the associated migration policies in both countries over the years1910 to 1961. Migration acts as a lens through which shifting constructions ofnational, transnational and racial identities can be observed. Depending onthe politicians in charge, the contribution of Dutch migrants to the SouthAfrican nation was alternately framed in terms of their white, civilisedEuropeanness (as opposed to black, uncivilised Africanness), and in terms oftheir alleged ‘kinship’ (stamverwantschap) with the Afrikaners (as opposed tothe British). Under the restrained immigration policy of the Nationalist Partyin the 1950s this gave Dutch immigrants a privileged position regardingadmission to South Africa, and it gave South Africa a special appeal ascountry of destination for Dutch emigrants. This changed only when theethnic identification with white Afrikaners, and European settlers in general,since 1960 gradually gave way to an internationally shared politicalidentification with the struggles of black Africans against apartheid. Bystudying the migration dynamics between both countries we may gain insightinto the making and unmaking of both Dutch and South African national andracial identifications, against the backdrop of a colonial heritage