The Roots of African Nationalism in the Cape Colony: Temperance, 1866-1898

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Periodical article

Title:	The Roots of African Nationalism in the Cape Colony: Temperance, 1866-1898
Author:	Mills, Wallace G.
Year:	1980
Periodical:	International Journal of African Historical Studies
Volume:	13
Issue:	2
Pages:	197-213
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	The Cape South Africa
Subjects:	nationalism alcohol policy History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Religion and Witchcraft
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/218873
Abstract:	Among both White and Africans in the Cape Colony temperance was an important, even burning issue. For the White, the main battleground was that of prohibition to 'natives' or to 'the colored classes', and various motives of paternalism and self-interest brought together missionaries and churchmen settlers and employers the political 'friends of the natives', and government officials. For Africans, temperance involved opposition to the consumption not only of the more potent European wines and liquors (especially brandy) but also of the mildly alcoholic traditional utywala ('Kaffir beer'). The temperance movement among Africans in Cape Colony was a manifestation of postmillennial Christianity. The elimination of liquor was seen as a step towards the realization of the millennial society. The temperance movement also served as a training ground in organisation, leadership and political activities, and in both this and in its vision of a just society, it is not a distortion to view it as a precursor of African nationalism. Notes.