SOUTH-AFRICA-L Archives

Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2002-01 > 1011921360


From: Andrew Rodger <>
Subject: [Re: [Cape town notables - 1832]
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 11:16:00 +1000
In-Reply-To: <20020124031717.928.qmail@cpdvg203.cms.usa.net>


Duits does mean German (and of course in Pennsylvania, Dutch means German),
but I believe Nederduits in Dutch and Afrikaans means Dutch. At least one
of the branches of the Calvinist Church (NOT the Lutherans) in SA is called
"Nederduitse" rather than "Nederlandse". I can never remember which of
these branches is the more "verkrampt", which is commonly called "Doppers",
etc. I attended one minor offshoot the DRC during a visit to the
Netherlands, and it was a very strange experience. They sang no hymns,
only psalms, in a number that was quite incredible until I realized they
were only singing a verse or so of each; the Minister was ensconced "ten
steps above contradiction" (i.e. in an overwhelmingly elevated pulpit), and
was a great waver-about of arms, and there were four separate collections
so that you could determine how much you would give to upkeep of the
Ministry, upkeep of the fabric of the building, the administration of the
denomination and wider work such as missions.

Andrew

>There was a reverend Beck of the NGK (Dutch Reformed Church) in the previous
>century. However, most of the Beck families in SA were of German origin and
>members of the Lutheran Church. (Recall that "Duits" means "German".
>"Dutch"
>would be "Hollands" or "Nederlands".)
>
>Perhaps you have stumbled on the first meeting of the SA Council of
>Churches!!
>
>Best wishes,
>Keith

Andrew Rodger ---


This thread: