REWRITING SOUTH-AFRICA CONSERVATION HISTORY - THE ROLE OF THE NATIVE FARMERS ASSOCIATION

A contention fundamental to this study is that, arising from the Euroc entric nature of South African conservation history, severe distortion s and imbalances exist, particularly with regard to the role and perce ptions of blacks. Scant attention has been paid to precolonial ecologi cal practices and ideas. In addition, many studies in conservation his tory have romanticised the past, glossing over or omitting the contemp orary socio-political context. This study seeks to address some of the se shortcomings by recounting the history of the Native Farmers Associ ation, established in 1918. It is contended that the Association was t he first organisation to espouse a formal conservation ethic among bla cks, as opposed to traditional cultural mechanisms and beliefs which h ad the unplanned consequence of protecting the environment. It is furt her contended that, through its struggle to secure land rights and agr icultural training for blacks, as well as its fight against racial dis crimination, the activities of this organisation represented a major p aradigmatic shift in the wildlife-centred, preservationist conservatio n ideology prevailing among non-government organisations at the time. As an organisation which embraced an integrated social, economic, poli tical and environmental perspective, the Native Farmers Association ma de a significant contribution to the development of a holistic environ mental ideology in South Africa.