Voortrekkers (youth organization)

The Voortrekkers is an Afrikaner youth organisation founded in South Africa in 1931.

In the words of its mission statement (as translated), "Die Voortrekkers (organisation) empowers the Afrikaners to be successful as positive citizens and dependable Christians."

The motto of the movement, "Hou Koers", translates as "Hold [your] Course". The values of the organisation are encapsulated in what is referred to as "The ABC".

The ten principles that guide the members of the movement are:

The founding of the Voortrekkers coincided with the growth of Afrikaner nationalism in South Africa, then a member of the British Commonwealth. In some ways it was an Afrikaans-language alternative to the largely English-speaking Boy Scout movement, with its British heritage.

The original concept of a youth movement amongst Afrikaners was formulated by Dr. C.F. Visser in 1913 in Bloemfontein. Dr. Visser appealed to the directors of the Boy Scout Movement (founded in 1907) to allow the Voortrekkers to be incorporated into the "broader church" under one international umbrella but this venture failed. The Scouts were in the main speakers of English and differences about the role of language lead to difficulties. There were further complications hinging upon religious declarations or beliefs and no agreement could be reached. The values and principles of the Voortrekker organisation were perceived, at the time, to be more nationalistic and religious in tone than those of the Scouting Movement programme.

In 1920, the first “Kommando” of the Voortrekkers (English equivalent: "Troop") was established in Bloemfontein at the Central High School. In 1923 two more kommandos were founded in Graaf Reinet (led by “Oom Japie Heese”) and in Niewoutsville (with “Oom Laubie” as leader). (Note: the term "Oom" in Afrikaans ("Uncle") is, amongst other things, an honorific and is equivalent to the "Colonel" in "Colonel Saunders" of KFC).

The official establishment of the Voortrekker movement dates from 30 September 1931. (This is distinct from the early endeavours of the informal movement established by Dr. C.F. Visser (also called “Vader (Father) Visser”, because he was seen as the father of the movement)). Dr. N.J. van der Merwe became the first "Hoofleier" (Chief leader) of the movement. Gen. J.B.M. Hertzog welcomed the first official Voortrekkers in the movement.

In 1939, the Voortekkers took part in the laying of the foundation stone at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. This event was widely celebrated by Voortrekkers and other Afrikaners, who walked with burning torches in many locations in South Africa.

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