A Short History of SERVAMUS
By Elna Botha
This article was sourced in its entirety from the Commemorative Issue of SERVAMUS, January 1997, Vol 90 Issue 1 (p 16 – 22). It was originally compiled and written by Elna Botha. The editor of SERVAMUS has granted Hennie Heymans permission to republish this article in an electronic web format.
© Servamus Copyright Reserved
To retrace the history of SERVAMUS is a mammoth task. For 90 years the magazine has provided amazement, anger, laughter, frustration, sadness, amusement, fascination, awe, pride, humility … One needs only read some of the articles in the editions of the magazines over the years to realize how the importance of self-expression and communication makes it possible for a magazine to survive for so many years. People are fascinated by the doings and feelings of others and if there is anything running through the history of SERVAMUS like a golden thread, it is this interest that people take in their fellow humans. It explains why even today the most popular articles are those dealing with human achievement (sport) and fallability (crime). But let’s begin in 1907 …
|
The Nongqai made its first appearance in 1907 as the Natal Police Magazine and spanned 54 years. Although the oldest magazine in South Africa was the African Journal, published in February 1824, the Nongqai counts among the earliest magazines in South Africa - even the Huisgenoot only started in May 1916.
It is said that the name, Nongqai, originates from a Zulu expression. The Natal Mounted Police were known as Nongqua meaning “one who is constantly on the move” or “wanderer from place to place”. Much speculation about its name was published in the earliest copies of the magazine: Vryheid, 18 June 1907
Dear Sir, There are several opinions regarding the origin of the word “Nongqai”, the most probable is that which was given by the great authority on native matters, Sir Theophilus Shepstone, who believed it to be a simply a name taken over from an old Cape corps, the rank and file of which were Hottentots. They no doubt derived their name from their head dress, which was a metal helmet, and on occasions these helmets were cleaned up sufficiently to glitter in the sun, and to “nqaisa”. The foregoing explanation was given to me by Mr Arthur Shepstone, CMG, who had it from his father. |
|
In the Cape history mention is made of a corps of Hottentot solders in the early part of the last century in connection with the rebellion which led up to the Slagter’s Nek affair, when they shot a Boer named Bezuidenhoudt. History does not mention any Zulu regiment of this name, but Dinizulu had a bodyguard which were called his “Nongqai” after the Zululand Police. Yours, C W Lewis
Cliff House, 191, Prince Alfred Street, 28 April 1907 Dear Mr Mardall, Since writing to you on the word “Nongqai” - none of which satisfied me as to its derivation – I have, after a great deal of search come to the conclusion that the name of your Corps has been taken from the words “Gqalinyanga”, or “Gqainyanga”, both the same, only in different dialects, which is the name of the evening star rising in the east about sunset, and, translated, means the moon watch, or, if you like, night watch. It has been pluralised into “Onongqai”. I do not think you can get nearer, and is not given it disparagement, but the reverse - I remain yours sincerely, J W Shepstone. In SERVAMUS of February 1988 the following was published in Uit toeka se dae…/Yesteryear, compiled by Const G J Joubert:
“The Nongqai.” Meaning of “Nongqai” (Zulu): “The King’s Watchman.” |
SERVAMUS Commemorative Issue, January 1997, Vol 90 Issue 1
|
In the early copies of the Nongqai one can see that the same issues we are grappling with at the present had to be addressed then: advertisements, competitions, the tone of reporting, sport reporting, length of articles submitted, shooting … and even making the magazine available to the commercial market. And it happened as follows:
We have decided that we cannot publish the Nongqai oftener than once a quarter. The Staff, which consists of the Editor, Sub-Editor and Artist could not cope with a more frequent production, in spite of urgent and flattering requests to do so …
The offer to insert advertisements for exchange, etc, has not come up to expectations. We shall, however, give it another trial … The competitors for the price of £1 1s., which we offered for the best short story submitted each quarter, have not been numerous up to the present, but we hope to do better next quarter …
Short stories should be of from about 1,200 to 2,000 words in length … Amongst the suggestions for conducting the magazine the idea of advertisements has been brought forward. We are, however, adverse to advertising unless financially obliged … We may also now mention that the lines on which we wish to conduct this magazine are non-critical, non-political and non-denominational, and we request respondents and contributors to note these …
We thank all those energetic men who are supplying us with notes, but district correspondents should make their reports pithy and to the point. Reports on districts should never exceed 800 words in length. Special sporting or shooting notes, of general interest, can be sent in for “Sport” or “Shooting” columns …
So many requests for the Nongqai having been received from the public, we have decided to place a limited number of copies on the market. Copies, price 6d., may now be obtained from Messrs. Leake, Booksellers, etc., at 156 and 267, Church Street, Pietermaritzburg. And appreciation: To the many kind people who have sent us words of praise on the first issue of the Nongqai, we accord our hearty thanks, and it may interest you to know that we have sold 1,130 copies.
A History of the Natal Police written by W J Clarke, CC proves grimly that there’s nothing new …
1874: The newly-raised Force was employed in patrolling the Langalibalele Location, which had been the scene of a rebellion. At the conclusion of the trouble in Weenen County, the Force was moved down to Alfred County to enforce the payment of a fine imposed on upon another rebellious chief.
1876: Removal of a rebellious tribe from Alexandra County to Pondoland.
1877: The Police formed the escort to the Special Commissioner, Sir Theophilus Shepstone, and were the only troops with him when he proclaimed the Annexation of the Transvaal. The men were practically laagered up in Pretoria for some time expecting an attack from the Boers. At the end of May, the 13th Regiment arrived to relieve the Police, who returned to Pietermaritzburg.
1877: Another Detachment of the Police was despatched to Weenen County to suppress an insubordinate chief.
The offer to insert advertisements for exchange, etc, has not come up to expectations. We shall, however, give it another trial … The competitors for the price of £1 1s., which we offered for the best short story submitted each quarter, have not been numerous up to the present, but we hope to do better next quarter …
Short stories should be of from about 1,200 to 2,000 words in length … Amongst the suggestions for conducting the magazine the idea of advertisements has been brought forward. We are, however, adverse to advertising unless financially obliged … We may also now mention that the lines on which we wish to conduct this magazine are non-critical, non-political and non-denominational, and we request respondents and contributors to note these …
We thank all those energetic men who are supplying us with notes, but district correspondents should make their reports pithy and to the point. Reports on districts should never exceed 800 words in length. Special sporting or shooting notes, of general interest, can be sent in for “Sport” or “Shooting” columns …
So many requests for the Nongqai having been received from the public, we have decided to place a limited number of copies on the market. Copies, price 6d., may now be obtained from Messrs. Leake, Booksellers, etc., at 156 and 267, Church Street, Pietermaritzburg. And appreciation: To the many kind people who have sent us words of praise on the first issue of the Nongqai, we accord our hearty thanks, and it may interest you to know that we have sold 1,130 copies.
A History of the Natal Police written by W J Clarke, CC proves grimly that there’s nothing new …
1874: The newly-raised Force was employed in patrolling the Langalibalele Location, which had been the scene of a rebellion. At the conclusion of the trouble in Weenen County, the Force was moved down to Alfred County to enforce the payment of a fine imposed on upon another rebellious chief.
1876: Removal of a rebellious tribe from Alexandra County to Pondoland.
1877: The Police formed the escort to the Special Commissioner, Sir Theophilus Shepstone, and were the only troops with him when he proclaimed the Annexation of the Transvaal. The men were practically laagered up in Pretoria for some time expecting an attack from the Boers. At the end of May, the 13th Regiment arrived to relieve the Police, who returned to Pietermaritzburg.
1877: Another Detachment of the Police was despatched to Weenen County to suppress an insubordinate chief.
|
In lighter vein there was much entertainment to be found in the Correspondence column:
“Bedelia” - Oh! Mr Editor, What nerve you’ve got You publish “Bee” and censure me, Which I think is rather rot. “Editor”- Oh! My “Bedelia,” Tho’ prudish we are not To publish yours about your games, Would be a trifle hot. and in Random Reports from the World Without:
The number of umbrellas found deposited in Scotland Yard, London in one week recently was nearly 2,000. There seems to be an epidemic of losing umbrellas in the world’s greatest city, and the worst part of this, however, is the identification. The majority of the umbrellas are so much alike that the Scotland Yard Lost Property Office has issued an appeal to the public to inscribe their names or initials on their umbrellas. Regular columns that may be found in virtually every copy of the old magazines are District News, Headquarter News, Sport, In Lighter Vein and Correspondence.
|
|
As far as language was concerned many Latin phrases were used and in general quite a high level of education was anticipated in the reader as phrases and expressions were very complex and rather formal.
|
|
Die latere uitgawes van die Nongqai toon ‘n verandering in die tydskrif aan, waar rubrieke soos Gevangenisnuus, My Tjorrie en Ek, Polisie in die Nuus en kortverhale deur alombekende Afrikaanse skrywers soos Kas van den Berg gepubliseer word. Daar word ook baie meer in Afrikaans geskryf. Die volgende interessante skets word in die Maart 1961 uitgawe gepubliseer:
|
|
In April 1961 word die Nongqai die Justitia, ‘n publikasie van die Departement van Justisie, die S A Polisie en Gevangenisse.
Sy verkoopprys is 20c en lewensduur drie jaar. Die volgende is ‘n aanhaling uit die voorwoord geskryf in hierdie eerste uitgawe van Justitia, deur sy Edele Adv F.C. Erasmus: Dit is vir my besonder aangenaam om Justitia geluk te wens met hierdie eerste pragtige uitgawe. Die blad word verwelkom as ‘n orgaan wat die moontlikhede inhou om samewerking tussen die departemente Justisie, Polisie en Gevangenisse nog verder uit te bou. So ‘n stap word as belangrik beskou aangesien die drie departemente met die regsbedeling van ons land gemoeid is.
|
Die styl pas dan ook aan om hierdie klemverskuiwing te akkommodeer, soos die volgende voorbeelde van rubrieke en kunswerk aandui:
|
To a certain extent this tendency was also followed by the SARP, of which the first edition appeared in November 1964 as The Magazine for the South African Police.
It was sold at 20c per copy for 12 years. The subtle change to more reporting and columns in English and more photographs and sketches is noticeable: |
|
Articles sympathetic to the policeman’s plight are published (Are the Police Human?) and international new of police around the world provide interesting anecdotes:
|
A wine farmer in Treviso, Italy, recently bought an insect sprayer which was promptly stolen from him while he lunched in the town. He reported the theft, bought another sprayer, went to the station to take a train home and was promptly arrested. The Police seeing the hurrying man with a sprayer mistook him for the thief.
and After a thief had stolen several bottles of milk from the stoep of a house in Virginia, U.S.A., a Virginian tobacco planter rigged up a metal band on his front door post so that the milkman could slip it around the neck of the bottle. Next morning when he went to unlock the bottle he found it empty – except for a straw. |
New informative columns also make an appearance:
|
The ever popular stories (such as Murdered by her best friend’s brother) are found in the guise of something resembling a possible forerunner of today’s Crime Series. There is also the comic strip called Konstabel van der Tronkhuizen, which is said to have been extremely popular among children of all ages.
|
|
SAP Tydskrif vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie verskyn in Maart 1976 vir die eerste keer. Sy lewensduur is drie jaar en hy word teen ‘n verkoopprys van 30c verkoop.
Die volgende aanhaling kom uit die eerste uitgawe van die SAP in Maart 1976:
Redaksioneel Na aanleiding van die kompetisie wat in die Mei 1975 uitgawe van die SARP aangekondig is het die Direksie na deeglike oorweging besluit om die naam “SARP” met ingang 1 Maart 1976 soos volg te verander: SAP Tydskrif Magazine. Die aanvaarbaarste naam wat voorgestel is, nl. S.A. Polisie Maandblad - S.A. Police Magazine - is ingedien deur a/o W.J. Visagie, Stasiebevelvoerder, Houtbaai en word die prysgeld van R25,00 gevolglik aan hom toegeken. Die uitgewersmaatskappy - SARP-Uitgewers - en posadres bly onveranderd. |
Hierdie redaksioneel word tweetalig gepubliseer. In rubrieke soos Van Heinde en Ver word nuus van persoonlike aard oor lede in die SAP hanteer en Uittreksels uit Hofverslae word steeds gepubliseer. Die algemene styl van die SARP word voortgesit in die SAP.
|
Die afgelope 18 jaar voltooi SERVAMUS (wat beteken “Ons dien”) die siklus van 90 jaar waar die blad in April 1979 sy verskyning maak en aanvanklik teen 35c (inklusief) verkoop word as SA Polisietydskrif. Vandag staan SERVAMUS bekend as ‘n polisiëringstydskrif, wat al die verskillende dissiplines wat verband hou met die polisie insluit, met ‘n inklusiewe verkoopprys van R4,97.
Die naam van die tydskrif beklemtoon die klemverskuiwing na diens wat oor die jare in die polisie plaasgevind het. ‘n Tydskrif staan in elk geval in diens van sy lesers - want om gelees te word is waarin sy bestaansreg lê … Maar kom ons kyk na die verandering wat SERVAMUS in die afgelope 18 jaar ondergaan het. Die vroegste uitgawes spog alreeds met ‘n aantal nuwighede soos ‘n briewerubriek wat tweetalig aangebied word en ‘n Book Review in Engels wat dekking verleen aan publikasies sooos The Law of Privacy in South Africa deur D J McQuid-Mason. In 1988 word die rubriek die Boeknoek genoem en die publikasies wat bespreek word lyk ‘n bietjie anders … Kyk ook na die verandering van Ons Vrouerubriek na Vrouepraatjies/Femme Talk:
|
|
Bilingual articles become the order of the day and Changes in the Force, Movies and Pollex become regular columns. The following excerpt was taken from another regular, Uit Toeka se Dae/Yesteryear:
|
Examples of articles published in these years are: ‘n Medalje vir elkeen, Daar’s ‘n groot fees, Onwettige immigrante-eenheid, Flood!, Om dankie te se, ‘n Legende in eie tyd, Stimulating Course, Polisie se trots …, The great parade,“’n Deeltjie van ‘n ster” and Message in a bottle. The magazine was generally structured around its articles, columns, contact, sport and the women’s page. Some regular columns featured were Police around the world, Chaplain’s letter, Tweede Kommissaris/Genl.-Maj. I.P. de Villiers, Uniform en Geskiedenisreeks, Ons Generaals, Heroes column, Polisiepraatjies en pensketse, Ons beskerm en ons dien, At home with: …and Veranderings in die Mag.
SERVAMUS has also borne testimony to structural changes in the police, as the article about the amalgamation of the SAMR and the SAP in the SERVAMUS of February 1988 indicates. In recent times we have had the amalgamation of the police agencies of the TBVC states and self-governing territories with the SAP to form the new SAPS. The general trend towards a Service rather than a Force has also been visible in the editions of SERVAMUS over the years. Today we have a trendy magazine with layout styles and a general design which place it head and shoulders above other magazines in the same stable. 
|
© Servamus Copyright Reserved
© Servamus Copyright Reserved
SHARE THIS PAGE
