Mis)representations of class and ‘race’ on and around die braak in Stellenbosch

Abstract

This is a historical narrative of recreational space in the 19th Century Stellenbosch, known as ‘Die Braak’. The development of sport in Stellenbosch dates back to 1866 and coincides with the influx of young white men who engaged with people across the racial divide on ‘Die Braak’ when they came into town for their studies at Stellenbosch Gymnasium, a forerunner of Stellenbosch University. The
methodological aim of this study was to decontextualise existing narratives in terms of race and class (mis)representations on ‘Die Braak’. A historical reinterpretation of the dominant narratives of Stellenbosch features in this article. Attention was directed specifically to historically marginalised minorities. The study covered a period from 1863–1886. However, several documented accounts point to there being sports activities in and around ‘Die Braak’ as early as the 1700s. Slight reference was also made to human and sport activity during the Stone Age period in the area referred to as Stellenbosch in the 21st century. In conclusion, the contribution of
marginalised groups, that is misrepresented in existing sport narratives of ‘Die Braak’ is placed at the centre of the research. This study thus intervened by providing new scrutiny of sport facilities in colonial society by rooting ‘Die Braak’ in a colonial context.

Keywords: History; ‘Die Braak’; Stellenbosch; Class; Race.