Hendrik Verwoerd - Return To South Africa

Return To South Africa

Verwoerd returned with his wife to South Africa in 1928 and was appointed to the chair of Applied Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch where, six years later, he became Professor of Sociology and Social Work. During the Great Depression, Verwoerd became active in social work among poor White South Africans. He devoted much attention to welfare work and was often consulted by welfare organisations, while he served on numerous committees.

His efforts in the field of national welfare drew him into politics and in 1936 he was offered the first editorship of ‘'Die Transvaler’', a position which he took up in 1937, with the added responsibility of helping to rebuild the National Party of South Africa (NP) in the Transvaal. Die Transvaler was a publication which supported the aspirations of Afrikaner nationalism, agricultural and labour rights. Combining republicanism, populism and protectionism, the paper helped "solidify the sentiments of most South Africans, that changes to the socio-economic system were vitally needed".

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