Glossary

Glossary

acolyte – an assistant or follower

ad hoc – formed only for a particular purpose; (Latin) literally, to this

Afrikaner Broederbond - a secretive, all-male organisation of the Afrikaner elite which had a strong influence on Afrikaner economic, political, cultural and religious life during most of the twentieth century. It was particularly influential in politics during the decades following the National Party’s takeover in 1948.

agent provocateur, pl. agents provocateur – a person employed to associate with individuals or groups, usually those suspected of opposing the state, for the purpose of inciting them to commit acts that will make them liable for punishment; (French) literally, provoking or instigating agent

amnesty – an official pardon for people convicted of political offences; an undertaking by the authorities to take no action against specified offences during a fixed period

Cold War – the state of political hostility and distrust existing between the Soviet Union and its allies on the one hand and major Western powers, particularly the USA, on the other

commando – a community-based reserve unit of the SADF whose main task was district protection; functioning only in white communities, particularly during the apartheid period

compact – a formal agreement or contract between two or more individuals or groups

complacent – uncritically satisfied with oneself and one’s achievements

contested – challenged or disputed. An issue is contested if different people put forward different, sometimes conflicting, points of view about it.

coup d’etat – a sudden, violent overthrow of an existing government; (French) literally, blow of state

crossing the Rubicon – point of no return. Origin: The Rubicon was the name of a small river marking the boundary between ancient Italy and Gaul (now France). When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his army, he committed himself to war with the Gauls.

de facto – in fact; existing in fact; often contrasted with de jure, in law

dispensation – the political system prevailing at a particular time

encapsulate – express a great deal of information briefly and clearly

enmity – hostility

euphoria – a feeling of intense happiness

fair contestaton – a fair process of settling disputes or arguments

fiscal – relating to government revenue, especially taxes

frontline states – historically, any Southern African country actively supporting the liberation movements in their struggle against apartheid. In the 1970s several black-ruled states joined together to co-ordinate their responses to apartheid South Africa. They included Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and, from 1980, Zimbabwe.

Government of National Unity (GNU) – a coalition government formed after the 1994 elections consisting of the African National Congress, the National Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party

gross domestic product (GDP) – the total value of goods produced and services provided within a country during one year
interim – provisional, temporary

litmus test – a test that shows the true nature of what is being tested. This phrase comes from the world of chemistry; litmus paper is coated with a dye that turns red in contact with acids and blue in contact with alkaline solutions.

moratorium – a temporary prohibition of an activity

paradigm shift – a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions

parameters – a limit or boundary which defines the scope of a particular process or activity

promulgation – put a law into effect by making it widely known through official proclamation. An Act does not acquire the force of law just by being passed by the majority of the members of Parliament; it cannot take effect as law until it is promulgated. In South Africa this is done when the President signs the Act of Parliament and it is published in the Government Gazette.

proportional representation – an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them in the election. Contrast this to the constituency-based system, where the representative of the party that wins the majority of votes cast in a specified area is elected to the legislature.

psyche – the human soul, mind or spirit (pronounced “sigh-key”)

recuse – to excuse oneself because of possible bias, conflict of interest or lack of impartiality (used especially of a judge)

redress – a remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance

scrupulous – diligent, thorough and attentive to detail

sham – pretence; something that is not what it appears to be

stereotype – an image or idea of a particular type of person or thing that has become fixed because it is widely believed and not necessarily because it is true

ubuntu – a spirit of fellowship and compassion, especially as associated with African society; (Xhosa and Zulu, literally humanity, goodness)

Umkhonto we Sizwe – the armed wing of the African National Congress; (Xhosa and Zulu) literally, Spear of the Nation

universal franchise – the right of all adults to vote in political elections

volkstaat – a separate state for ethnic Afrikaners