The Broederbond was a secret Afrikaner organisation founded in 1919 that became a major instrument for organising and consolidating Afrikaner nationalist power. Its leadership came chiefly from professional, political, religious, and intellectual circles, and it influenced policy, labour organisation, cultural mobilisation, and the National Party’s ideological development.
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The Story
Founded by Henning Klopper in 1919, the Broederbond became a central organisational force in Afrikaner nationalism. It went underground in 1922 and remained largely concealed from public view until the late 1970s, apart from occasional exposure in the press. Its secrecy distinguished it from the National Party, even though the two became closely connected in the consolidation of Afrikaner political power.
The organisation drew its leadership primarily from professional, political, religious, and intellectual circles. After J. B. M. Hertzog withdrew from politics in 1940, the Broederbond’s influence grew, particularly in the Transvaal. Its role was not limited to electoral politics: it helped create networks that linked cultural institutions, churches, economic bodies, and political activists.
In 1944, the Federasie vir Afrikaanse Kultuur, described as an offshoot of the Broederbond, hosted a conference that presented the new vision of Christian National policy. The programme defined the nation in white and Afrikaans terms and argued that its first duty was to preserve its own life. This ideological formulation provided foundations for the National Party’s programme during the following generation.
The Broederbond also helped organise white labour and economic activity. It established the Spoorbond for white railway workers in 1934 and later took over the Mine Workers’ Union in 1948. Through associated organisations, it sought to redirect Afrikaner workers away from class solidarity and toward Afrikaner consciousness, while supporting institutions intended to strengthen Afrikaner economic independence.
The Broederbond was a secret Afrikaner organisation founded in 1919 that became a major instrument for organising and consolidating Afrikaner nationalist power. Its leadership came chiefly from professional, political, religious, and intellectual circles, and it influenced policy, labour organisation, cultural mobilisation, and the National Party’s ideological development.
Continue exploring
The Story
Founded by Henning Klopper in 1919, the Broederbond became a central organisational force in Afrikaner nationalism. It went underground in 1922 and remained largely concealed from public view until the late 1970s, apart from occasional exposure in the press. Its secrecy distinguished it from the National Party, even though the two became closely connected in the consolidation of Afrikaner political power.
The organisation drew its leadership primarily from professional, political, religious, and intellectual circles. After J. B. M. Hertzog withdrew from politics in 1940, the Broederbond’s influence grew, particularly in the Transvaal. Its role was not limited to electoral politics: it helped create networks that linked cultural institutions, churches, economic bodies, and political activists.
In 1944, the Federasie vir Afrikaanse Kultuur, described as an offshoot of the Broederbond, hosted a conference that presented the new vision of Christian National policy. The programme defined the nation in white and Afrikaans terms and argued that its first duty was to preserve its own life. This ideological formulation provided foundations for the National Party’s programme during the following generation.
The Broederbond also helped organise white labour and economic activity. It established the Spoorbond for white railway workers in 1934 and later took over the Mine Workers’ Union in 1948. Through associated organisations, it sought to redirect Afrikaner workers away from class solidarity and toward Afrikaner consciousness, while supporting institutions intended to strengthen Afrikaner economic independence.