Jump to content

Dan Roodt: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Rv earlier V
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Rescued 2 archive links; reformat 2 links. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:USURPURL and JUDI batch #20
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|South African author, publisher, and commentator}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
Line 5: Line 6:
| image = [[File:Daniël François Roodt (cropped).jpg|200px]]
| image = [[File:Daniël François Roodt (cropped).jpg|200px]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|5|26|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|5|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Springs, Gauteng|Springs]], [[Gauteng]], South Africa
| birth_place = [[Springs, Gauteng|Springs]], [[Transvaal province|Transvaal]], Union of South Africa
| occupation = Activist, literary critic, writer
| occupation = Activist, literary critic, writer
| nationality = South Africa
| nationality = South African
| website = {{URL|http://roodt.org}}
| website = {{URL|http://roodt.org}}
| influences =
| influences =
Line 14: Line 15:
}}
}}


'''Daniel Francois Roodt''' (born 26 May 1957) is an Afrikaner author, publisher, and commentator.
'''Daniel Francois Roodt''' (born 26 May 1957) is a South African author, publisher, and commentator.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Roodt was born in the mining town of Springs, east of [[Johannesburg]], South Africa. He completed his schooling in Johannesburg, after which he enrolled for a [[Bachelor's degree]] at the [[University of Witwatersrand]].<ref name="a72497">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article72497.ece |title=Radical thoughts of a right-wing reactionary |publisher=Times LIVE |date=3 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724025700/http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article72497.ece |archive-date= 24 July 2010 |access-date=2010-07-28}}</ref> Roodt has six degrees, including a Ph.D. from the University of the Witwatersrand in Afrikaans, obtained with a thesis on the works of {{ill|John Miles (writer)|lt=John Miles|af|John Miles}} in 1994.<ref>Ondermyning in die prosa van John Miles: 'n postmoderne lesing. http://www.worldcat.org/title/ondermyning-in-die-prosa-van-john-miles-n-postmoderne-lesing/oclc/775690588</ref>
Roodt was born in the mining town of Springs, east of [[Johannesburg]], South Africa. He completed his schooling in Johannesburg, after which he enrolled for a [[Bachelor's degree]] at the [[University of Witwatersrand]].<ref name="a72497">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article72497.ece |title=Radical thoughts of a right-wing reactionary |publisher=Times LIVE |date=3 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724025700/http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article72497.ece |archive-date= 24 July 2010 |access-date=2010-07-28}}</ref> Roodt has six degrees, including a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand in Afrikaans, obtained with a thesis on the works of {{ill|John Miles (writer)|lt=John Miles|af|John Miles}} in 1994.<ref>Ondermyning in die prosa van John Miles: 'n postmoderne lesing. http://www.worldcat.org/title/ondermyning-in-die-prosa-van-john-miles-n-postmoderne-lesing/oclc/775690588</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Roodt lectured at the [[University of Durban-Westville]] for a while, and in 1985 left South Africa for France to avoid [[conscription]] in the South African Defence Force.<ref name="a72497"/><ref name="mond">{{cite web|url=http://www.oulitnet.co.za/mond/danroodt.asp |title=LitNet: Die mond is nie geheim nie |publisher=Oulitnet.co.za |date= |access-date=2010-07-28}}</ref>
Roodt lectured at the [[University of Durban-Westville]] for a while, and in 1985 left South Africa for France to avoid [[conscription]] in the South African Defence Force.<ref name="a72497"/><ref name="mond">{{cite web|url=http://www.oulitnet.co.za/mond/danroodt.asp |title=LitNet: Die mond is nie geheim nie |publisher=Oulitnet.co.za |access-date=2010-07-28}}</ref>


[[Times LIVE]] said that in the 1980s, Roodt was an anti-establishment anarchist, but that now "he is branded a right-wing reactionary" for his "vehement anti-ANC essays". Two of his literary works had been banned by the South African government in 1980, a time of strict censorship.<ref name="a72497"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Censored publications: ID 9905629|url=http://search.beaconforfreedom.org/search/censored_publications/publication.html?id=9905629|publisher=Beacon for Freedom of Expression|access-date=23 August 2014|quote=Main title: Sonneskyn & Chevrolet, Period of censorship: July 17, 1992 – March 5, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Censored publications: ID 9905677|url=http://search.beaconforfreedom.org/search/censored_publications/publication.html?id=9905677|publisher=Beacon for Freedom of Expression|access-date=23 August 2014|quote=Main title: Kommas uit'n boomzol, Period of censorship: October 2, 1992 – March 5, 1993}}</ref>
[[Times LIVE]] said that in the 1980s, Roodt was an anti-establishment anarchist, but that now "he is branded a right-wing reactionary" for his "vehement anti-ANC essays". Two of his literary works had been banned by the South African government in 1980, a time of strict censorship.<ref name="a72497"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Censored publications: ID 9905629|url=http://search.beaconforfreedom.org/search/censored_publications/publication.html?id=9905629|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140823062525/http://search.beaconforfreedom.org/search/censored_publications/publication.html?id=9905629|url-status=usurped|archive-date=23 August 2014|publisher=Beacon for Freedom of Expression|access-date=23 August 2014|quote=Main title: Sonneskyn & Chevrolet, Period of censorship: July 17, 1992 – March 5, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Censored publications: ID 9905677|url=http://search.beaconforfreedom.org/search/censored_publications/publication.html?id=9905677|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120041407/http://search.beaconforfreedom.org/search/censored_publications/publication.html?id=9905677|url-status=usurped|archive-date=20 January 2016|publisher=Beacon for Freedom of Expression|access-date=23 August 2014|quote=Main title: Kommas uit'n boomzol, Period of censorship: October 2, 1992 – March 5, 1993}}</ref>


After returning to South Africa in 1992, Roodt worked for Citibank until 1999, and in 2000 he co-founded PRAAG (Pro-Afrikaanse Aksiegroep, or Pro-Afrikaans Action Group),<ref name="a72497"/> which describes itself as an extra-parliamentary movement devoted to the rights of [[Afrikaner]]s.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191807/http://www.praag.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=23&Itemid=117 ]</ref> PRAAG also has a publishing division, which has published some of his recent works. Roodt has contributed articles to Focus, the journal of the liberal [[Helen Suzman Foundation]], columns to ''[[American Renaissance (magazine)|American Renaissance]]'', a [[white nationalist]] magazine, various scientific or academic journals in South Africa as well as a host of articles in South African newspapers. He has also appeared on television and radio talk shows in South Africa.
After returning to South Africa in 1992, Roodt worked for Citibank until 1999, and in 2000 he co-founded PRAAG (Pro-Afrikaanse Aksiegroep, or Pro-Afrikaans Action Group),<ref name="a72497"/> which describes itself as an extra-parliamentary movement devoted to the rights of [[Afrikaner]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.praag.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=23&Itemid=117 |title=Pro-Afrikaanse Aksiegroep - Wie is ons? |website=www.praag.org |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191807/http://www.praag.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=23&Itemid=117 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> PRAAG also has a publishing division, which has published some of his recent works. Roodt has contributed articles to Focus, the journal of the liberal [[Helen Suzman Foundation]], columns to ''[[American Renaissance (magazine)|American Renaissance]]'', a [[white nationalist]] magazine, various scientific or academic journals in South Africa as well as a host of articles in South African newspapers. He has also appeared on television and radio talk shows in South Africa.


In May 2011 Roodt stood for the [[Freedom Front Plus]] during the municipal elections as a candidate in Johannesburg, but was not elected.
In May 2011 Roodt stood for the [[Freedom Front Plus]] during the municipal elections as a candidate in Johannesburg, but was not elected.


Roodt is the deputy leader and spokesperson of South African right-wing political party [[Front National (South Africa)|Front Nasionaal]] formed in late 2013 which promotes [[separatism]] and Afrikaner [[self-determination]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Roodt|first=Dan|title=Afrikaners moet opstaan vir selfbeskikking|url=http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Afrikaners-moet-opstaan-vir-selfbeskikking-20140221|access-date=13 March 2014|language=Afrikaans|trans-title=Afrikaners must stand up for self-determination|newspaper=Rapport|date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313154529/http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Afrikaners-moet-opstaan-vir-selfbeskikking-20140221|archive-date=13 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Eckard |first=Lourensa |title=EFF dood as eis nie slaag |url=http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2014-03-05-eff-dood-as-eis-nie-slaag |language=Afrikaans |trans-title=EFF dead if demand fails |access-date=13 March 2014 |newspaper=Beeld |date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6QLguzCQo?url=http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2014-03-05-eff-dood-as-eis-nie-slaag |archive-date=15 June 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Godinho|first1=Thorne|title=Front Nasionaal stokes the embers of the Afrikaner right|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2014-04-24-front-nasionaal-stokes-the-embers-of-the-afrikaner-right|access-date=15 June 2014|work=Mail & Guardian|date=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615121535/http://mg.co.za/article/2014-04-24-front-nasionaal-stokes-the-embers-of-the-afrikaner-right|archive-date=15 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sunday newspaper Rapport reported on 8 February 2015 that Roodt had been "voted out of the party" without him being aware of it.<ref>Dan Roodt uitgestem http://www.netwerk24.com/nuus/2015-02-08-dan-roodtuitgestem</ref> He was quoted in the article as saying that "he would henceforth be devoting his energy to his publishing company, Praag... I am disillusioned with Afrikaner politics. I am finished with Afrikaner politics."
Roodt is the deputy leader and spokesperson of South African right-wing political party [[Front National (South Africa)|Front Nasionaal]] formed in late 2013 which promotes [[separatism]] and Afrikaner [[self-determination]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Roodt|first=Dan|title=Afrikaners moet opstaan vir selfbeskikking|url=http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Afrikaners-moet-opstaan-vir-selfbeskikking-20140221|access-date=13 March 2014|language=Afrikaans|trans-title=Afrikaners must stand up for self-determination|newspaper=Rapport|date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313154529/http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Afrikaners-moet-opstaan-vir-selfbeskikking-20140221|archive-date=13 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Eckard |first=Lourensa |title=EFF dood as eis nie slaag |url=http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2014-03-05-eff-dood-as-eis-nie-slaag |language=Afrikaans |trans-title=EFF dead if demand fails |access-date=13 March 2014 |newspaper=Beeld |date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313164725/http://www.beeld.com/nuus/2014-03-05-eff-dood-as-eis-nie-slaag |archive-date=13 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Godinho|first1=Thorne|title=Front Nasionaal stokes the embers of the Afrikaner right|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2014-04-24-front-nasionaal-stokes-the-embers-of-the-afrikaner-right|access-date=15 June 2014|work=Mail & Guardian|date=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615121535/http://mg.co.za/article/2014-04-24-front-nasionaal-stokes-the-embers-of-the-afrikaner-right|archive-date=15 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sunday newspaper Rapport reported on 8 February 2015 that Roodt had been "voted out of the party" without him being aware of it.<ref>Dan Roodt uitgestem http://www.netwerk24.com/nuus/2015-02-08-dan-roodtuitgestem</ref> He was quoted in the article as saying that "he would henceforth be devoting his energy to his publishing company, Praag... I am disillusioned with Afrikaner politics. I am finished with Afrikaner politics."


==Activism==
==Activism==
Roodt has strong views on the preservation of Afrikaans and Afrikaner culture, which has led to some controversy in the South African [[mass media|media]].<ref name="a72497"/><ref name="mond"/> He maintains a blog and the PRAAG website, commenting on issues in South Africa. Roodt also regularly writes letters regarding political matters to various South African newspapers and the literary [[e-zine]] LitNet.<ref name="Venter, A 2007. pp. 501-502">Venter, A. 2007. Book Review: ''Aweregs: politieke essays''. ''Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe'', 47(3):pp. 501-502.</ref>
Roodt has strong views on the preservation of Afrikaans and Afrikaner culture, which has led to some controversy in the South African [[mass media|media]].<ref name="a72497"/><ref name="mond"/> He maintains a blog and the PRAAG website, commenting on issues in South Africa. Roodt also regularly writes letters regarding political matters to various South African newspapers and the literary [[e-zine]] LitNet.<ref name="Venter, A 2007. pp. 501-502">Venter, A. 2007. Book Review: ''Aweregs: politieke essays''. ''Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe'', 47(3):pp. 501-502.</ref>

==Controversy==
{{POV|date=August 2012}}<!-- "Controversy" sections are generally inappropriate, particularly for articles about living people. Notable items should be integrated in appropriate chronological sections. -->
Roodt caused a controversy after creating an internet site about South African journalist, writer and activist [[Max du Preez]]. Roodt explained that he had set up the site 'so that everyone who has always wanted to say something about "this idiot and prat", but did not have the means, now has the opportunity'.<ref name="nuus1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nuus24.com/Content/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/1479/781e3207a1eb4375ae2eb325f7c643fe/10-01-2010-07-05/Du_Preez,_Roodt_kruis_swaarde |title=Du Preez, Roodt kruis swaarde: Nuus24: Suid-Afrika: Nuus |publisher=Nuus24 |date=10 January 2010 |access-date=2010-07-28}}</ref> When contacted by Afrikaans Sunday newspaper [[Rapport]] for comment, Du Preez replied that 'it only confirms what I suspected: That Dan has a [[Homoeroticism|homo-erotic]] fixation with me'.<ref name="nuus1"/> In May 2011, the domain name in question was seized by the regulator of South African web domain names, and given to Du Preez.<ref name="rapport.co.za">{{cite web|url=http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Max-du-Preez-kry-sy-naam-terug-20110528 |title=Max du Preez kry sy naam terug |publisher=Rapport |date=2011-05-28 |access-date=2012-08-29}}</ref> A judge ruled that Roodt had misused Du Preez's name as part of a slanderous campaign against the latter.<ref name="rapport.co.za"/> The website has since been offline.

In March 2010 Roodt advised Afrikaners to support the [[association football|football]] team of the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] instead of the [[South Africa national football team|South African team]] in the [[FIFA World Cup]], hosted by South Africa in June and July 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.praag.co.za/dan-roodt-magazine-178/7373-afrikaners-behoort-nederlandse-sokkerspan-te-ondersteun.html |title=Afrikaners behoort Nederlandse sokkerspan te ondersteun |publisher=Praag.co.za |access-date=2012-08-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327182417/http://www.praag.co.za/dan-roodt-magazine-178/7373-afrikaners-behoort-nederlandse-sokkerspan-te-ondersteun.html |archive-date=27 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In May 2010 Roodt travelled to Europe where he met with members of the Swedish Resistant Movement ([[Swedish language|Swedish]]: [[Svenska Motståndsrörelsen]]) a Scandinavian group which describes itself as a [[National Socialist]] organisation.<ref name="c605">{{cite web|url=http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Roodt-soek-in-Europa-steun-van-neo-Nazis-20100605 |title=Roodt soek in Europa steun van neo-Nazi's |publisher=Rapport |date=2010-06-06 |access-date=2012-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://patriot.nu/artikel.asp?artikelID=1244 |title=Ödets budbärare &#124; Nordfront.se |publisher=Patriot.nu |access-date=2012-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302173830/http://patriot.nu/artikel.asp?artikelID=1244 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Roodt was the subject of a report for ''[[The Daily Show]]'' entitled ''The Amazing Racists'' by comedian [[John Oliver]] in June 2010 in which Roodt made a number of prejudiced statements about black South Africans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2010-07-14-dan-roodt-sas-only-slightly-right-of-centre-xxx-intellectual-gets-the-daily-show-treatment/#.V41VVrh96Uk|title=Dan Roodt, SA's only slightly right-of-centre intellectual, gets The Daily Show treatment {{!}} Daily Maverick|website=www.dailymaverick.co.za|access-date=2016-07-18}}</ref> This led Oliver to satirically declare Roodt's views as representing “some of the finest examples of vintage bigotry.”<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/AfriForum-condemns-racist-Dan-Roodt-20141113|title=AfriForum condemns 'racist' Dan Roodt|access-date=2016-07-18}}</ref> Roodt stated that producers of the show had edited the interview to portray him in a negative light and threatened to sue the show. The South African Afrikaans civil rights organisation [[AfriForum]] publicly criticised Roodts statements as racist.<ref name=":0" />

In 2012, the Press Ombudsman ordered the weekly tabloid ''Sondag'' to publish a front-page apology to Roodt for publishing a defamatory article about him.<ref>{{cite web|author=Independent Newspapers Online |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/paper-must-apologise-for-sex-site-gaffe-1.1356030 |title=Paper must apologise for sex site gaffe - South Africa &#124; IOL News |publisher=IOL.co.za |date=2012-08-03 |access-date=2012-08-29}}</ref>


==Writing==
==Writing==
Line 56: Line 45:
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


In 2015, Roodt published an essay ''Raiders of the Lost Empire: South Africa's English Identity'' (PRAAG) in which he "explores the country's 'new' English identity which is founded on the old colonial identity of the nineteenth century when the redcoats invaded the Cape of Good Hope."<ref>Raiders of the lost Empire: South Africa’s ‘English’ identity – by Dan Roodt http://praag.org/?wpsc-product=raiders-of-the-lost-empire-south-africas-english-identity-by-dan-roodt</ref>
In 2015, Roodt published an essay ''Raiders of the Lost Empire: South Africa's English Identity'' (PRAAG) in which he "explores the country's 'new' English identity which is founded on the old colonial identity of the nineteenth century when the redcoats invaded the Cape of Good Hope."<ref>Raiders of the lost Empire: South Africa’s 'English' identity – by Dan Roodt http://praag.org/?wpsc-product=raiders-of-the-lost-empire-south-africas-english-identity-by-dan-roodt</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Line 62: Line 51:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://praag.org/ Homepage of the Pro-Afrikaans Action Group]
{{commons category}}
* [http://praag.org/ Homepage of the Pro-Afrikaans Action Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405071400/http://www.praag.org/ |date=5 April 2010 }}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 72: Line 63:
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Afrikaner people]]
[[Category:White South African people]]
[[Category:People from Springs, Gauteng]]
[[Category:People from Springs, Gauteng]]
[[Category:South African people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:South African people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:Afrikaans-language writers]]
[[Category:Afrikaans-language writers]]
[[Category:Afrikaner nationalists]]
[[Category:Afrikaner nationalists]]
[[Category:South African white nationalists]]
[[Category:South African male novelists]]
[[Category:South African male novelists]]

Latest revision as of 00:59, 22 December 2024

Daniel Francois Roodt
Born (1957-05-26) 26 May 1957 (age 67)
Springs, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
OccupationActivist, literary critic, writer
NationalitySouth African
Website
roodt.org

Daniel Francois Roodt (born 26 May 1957) is a South African author, publisher, and commentator.

Early life and education

[edit]

Roodt was born in the mining town of Springs, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. He completed his schooling in Johannesburg, after which he enrolled for a Bachelor's degree at the University of Witwatersrand.[1] Roodt has six degrees, including a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand in Afrikaans, obtained with a thesis on the works of John Miles [af] in 1994.[2]

Career

[edit]

Roodt lectured at the University of Durban-Westville for a while, and in 1985 left South Africa for France to avoid conscription in the South African Defence Force.[1][3]

Times LIVE said that in the 1980s, Roodt was an anti-establishment anarchist, but that now "he is branded a right-wing reactionary" for his "vehement anti-ANC essays". Two of his literary works had been banned by the South African government in 1980, a time of strict censorship.[1][4][5]

After returning to South Africa in 1992, Roodt worked for Citibank until 1999, and in 2000 he co-founded PRAAG (Pro-Afrikaanse Aksiegroep, or Pro-Afrikaans Action Group),[1] which describes itself as an extra-parliamentary movement devoted to the rights of Afrikaners.[6] PRAAG also has a publishing division, which has published some of his recent works. Roodt has contributed articles to Focus, the journal of the liberal Helen Suzman Foundation, columns to American Renaissance, a white nationalist magazine, various scientific or academic journals in South Africa as well as a host of articles in South African newspapers. He has also appeared on television and radio talk shows in South Africa.

In May 2011 Roodt stood for the Freedom Front Plus during the municipal elections as a candidate in Johannesburg, but was not elected.

Roodt is the deputy leader and spokesperson of South African right-wing political party Front Nasionaal formed in late 2013 which promotes separatism and Afrikaner self-determination.[7][8][9] The Sunday newspaper Rapport reported on 8 February 2015 that Roodt had been "voted out of the party" without him being aware of it.[10] He was quoted in the article as saying that "he would henceforth be devoting his energy to his publishing company, Praag... I am disillusioned with Afrikaner politics. I am finished with Afrikaner politics."

Activism

[edit]

Roodt has strong views on the preservation of Afrikaans and Afrikaner culture, which has led to some controversy in the South African media.[1][3] He maintains a blog and the PRAAG website, commenting on issues in South Africa. Roodt also regularly writes letters regarding political matters to various South African newspapers and the literary e-zine LitNet.[11]

Writing

[edit]

Roodt's first novel, Sonneskyn en Chevrolet (Taurus, 1980), is an anti-establishment commentary on South African society (and specifically Afrikaner society) of that time.[12] His only published volume of poetry to date, Kommas uit 'n boomzol (Uitgewery Pannevis, 1980), structurally parodies Komas uit 'n bamboesstok (Human & Rousseau, 1979), a volume of poetry by the Afrikaans poet D.J. Opperman.[12] Afrikaans literary critic John Kannemeyer asserts that there is 'no one poem of any intrinsic value' in Kommas uit 'n boomzol, and similarly views Roodt's subsequent prose work Twee sinne (Taurus, 1985).[12]

Roodt's first publication after Twee sinne is a critical essay on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) entitled Om die Waarheidskommissie te vergeet ('Forgetting the Truth Commission', 2001). This would be PRAAG's first publication of one of Roodt's works. In 2004, PRAAG published the novel Moltrein, which is about a promising musician who leaves South Africa during the 1980s to avoid military service in the South African Defence Force.[13]

In 2005 Roodt released The Scourge of the ANC (PRAAG), a critique of the ANC, and also of the former South African government under leadership of FW de Klerk.[1] The following year, Aweregs (PRAAG, 2006), another collection of political essays, was released. Regarding Aweregs, Venter notes that if the ultimate aim of the book is

to demonstrate the author's pessimism regarding Africa, the African National Congress (ANC), "the new" South Africa, and supporters of the idea that Afrikaans can only survive by developing multilingualism in South Africa, then Roodt's vision succeeds. But it is a limited and distressing vision.[11]

In 2015, Roodt published an essay Raiders of the Lost Empire: South Africa's English Identity (PRAAG) in which he "explores the country's 'new' English identity which is founded on the old colonial identity of the nineteenth century when the redcoats invaded the Cape of Good Hope."[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Roodt currently lives with his wife, Karin (née Bredenkamp), and their three children in Johannesburg, South Africa.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Radical thoughts of a right-wing reactionary". Times LIVE. 3 April 2005. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  2. ^ Ondermyning in die prosa van John Miles: 'n postmoderne lesing. http://www.worldcat.org/title/ondermyning-in-die-prosa-van-john-miles-n-postmoderne-lesing/oclc/775690588
  3. ^ a b "LitNet: Die mond is nie geheim nie". Oulitnet.co.za. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Censored publications: ID 9905629". Beacon for Freedom of Expression. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014. Main title: Sonneskyn & Chevrolet, Period of censorship: July 17, 1992 – March 5, 1993{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "Censored publications: ID 9905677". Beacon for Freedom of Expression. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2014. Main title: Kommas uit'n boomzol, Period of censorship: October 2, 1992 – March 5, 1993{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Pro-Afrikaanse Aksiegroep - Wie is ons?". www.praag.org. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ^ Roodt, Dan (22 February 2014). "Afrikaners moet opstaan vir selfbeskikking" [Afrikaners must stand up for self-determination]. Rapport (in Afrikaans). Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  8. ^ Eckard, Lourensa (5 March 2014). "EFF dood as eis nie slaag" [EFF dead if demand fails]. Beeld (in Afrikaans). Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  9. ^ Godinho, Thorne (25 April 2014). "Front Nasionaal stokes the embers of the Afrikaner right". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  10. ^ Dan Roodt uitgestem http://www.netwerk24.com/nuus/2015-02-08-dan-roodtuitgestem
  11. ^ a b Venter, A. 2007. Book Review: Aweregs: politieke essays. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 47(3):pp. 501-502.
  12. ^ a b c Kannemeyer, J.C. 2005. Die Afrikaanse literatuur, 1652-2004. Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau. p.608.
  13. ^ Kannemeyer, J.C. 2005. Die Afrikaanse literatuur, 1652-2004. Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau. p.609.
  14. ^ Raiders of the lost Empire: South Africa’s 'English' identity – by Dan Roodt http://praag.org/?wpsc-product=raiders-of-the-lost-empire-south-africas-english-identity-by-dan-roodt
[edit]