André Wessels

The Emergence of New Environmentalism in South Africa, 1988-1992

Efforts to improve and conserve the environment are not new to South Africa. The South Afiican environmental movement has a long history and included in its list of achievements are the proclamation of forest conservancies in the Knysna and Tsitsikama forests in 1856 and the passing of the Forest and Herbage Preservation Act (no 18 of 1856) in the Cape Colony;’ the founding of the first known environmental non-governmental organisation (ENGO) in South Africa, the Natal Game Protection Association, in 1883;2 the passing of the National Parks Act (no 56 of 1926) which provided for the creation of the Kruger National Park in 1926;3 the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (no 45) of 1965; and the formulation and enactment of the first general environmental policy (the Environmental Conservation Act no 100 of 1982) by the South African government in 1982.5 For most of its history, the developments within the environmental movement in South Africa reflected those that occurred on a national level elsewhere in the world, for example the first official game reserve, the Pongola Game Reserve, was proclaimed in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek in 1894, 22 years after the

South Africa's Grey Diplomats; Visits by South African Warships to Foreign Countries 1946 - 1996

The primary role of the South African Navy is to defend the Republic of South Africa, its citizens and interests. In times of peace the Navy has an equally important role to play, for example to conduct assistance operations, including diplomatic support. During the first 75 years of the history of the South African Navy (1922-1997), its warships took part in about 70 flag-showing cruises. In this article a review is given of the 68 flag-showing cruises by South Africas grey diplomats in the years from 1946 (when the South African Naval Forces were reconstituted) to 1996 (i.e. on the eve of the Navys 75th anniversary). The aim is to ascertain the nature, extent and value of the South African Navys diplomatic role.

Lord Roberts and the war in South Africa, 1899-1902

In this Army Records Society Anglo-Boer War centennial commemoration volume, 111 mostly hitherto unpublished letters written by or to Lord Roberts (Commander-in-Chief from 1899) and several other relevant documents are reproduced in full. The book offers an insight into the conduct of the war.

Did Adolf Hitler have syphilis

The evidence that Adolf Hitler might have suffered from incapacitating syphilis is reviewed. Rumors that he acquired syphilis from a prostitute at the age of 20 years, with possible re-infection during World War I, can no longer be verified. Evidence is that he was sexually rather inactive throughout his life. Suggestions that Hitlers cardiac lesion and complaints such as transitory blindness, tremor of his left arm and leg, recurring abdominal pain and a skin lesion of the leg were of syphilitic aetiology cannot be supported. Hitlers progressive mental and physical deterioration after 1942, his growing paranoia, fits of rage, grandiosity and symptoms of possible dementia would fit in neurosyphilis. There are, however, also other explanations for his terminal syndrome, and evidence that repeated clinical examinations did not show the characteristic signs of dementia paralytica or tabes dorsalis, swings the balance of probability away from tertiary syphilis.

Bloemfontein’s Greek community: historical background, emigration and settlement, ca 1885 - ca 1985

In this study a review is provided of the reasons why Greeks settled in Bloemfontein since about 1885, where these Greek immigrants came from, and how they travelled to Bloemfontein. Where possible, it is also indicated who they were. Their settlement in Bloemfontein is sketched against the background of the development of Bloemfontein as a city. In the light of the fact that thus far almost nothing has been written about the Greek community in Bloemfontein, and few archival sources could be traced, the research is primarily based on oral testimonies. Key words : Bloemfontein, Greece, Greek emigrations/diaspora, minority groups

Mao Tse-Tung (1893-1976)--his habits and his health.

Mao Tse-tung (Mao Zedong) was born of Chinese peasant stock in the twilight years of China’s imperial reign, which had lasted for more than 2 000 years. He lived to become paramount ruler over a quarter of the global population, and to establish the world’s largest Communist regime. His successes as revolutionary leader were, however, not matched by a comparable ability to develop and administer his new nation. Nathan 1 states that no other leader in modern history held so much power over so many people for so long, and in the end inflicted such a catastrophe on his country, as Mao did. It is estimated that he was responsible for the death of more than 70 million Chinese in peacetime. 2 This study concentrates on Mao Tse-tung as a person, and his habits and health problems.