Paul Kruger en die toekoms: Romantiek en verligting in die verstaan van die Suid-Afrikaanse verlede

Abstract

SJP (Paul) Kruger (1825-1904) is still regarded as an outstanding figure in the popular South African historical consciousness. Different people have different conceptions of him. This discussion is based on the viewpoint that Kruger embodied the system of values in existence, also in South Africa, during the romanticism of the early nineteenth century. His philosophy of life was opposed to the ideas of the Enlightenment. More nuanced terms of expression and an exploration of certain future perspectives are put forward in order to create an understanding of Kruger and his times.