Nationalism, social capital and economic empowerment: SANLAM and the economic upliftment of the Afrikaner people, 1918-1960

Author: Verhoef, Grietjie

Source: Business History, Volume 50, Number 6, November 2008 , pp. 695-713(19)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

At the beginning of the twentieth century the Cape-based Afrikaner elite used their social networks to establish an insurance company to address their business aspirations as well as wider economic empowerment needs of poor Afrikaners. This contribution explores the operating dynamics of social capital of an elite portion of society to benefit the wider Afrikaner community, thereby establishing new networks among Afrikaners. By the second half of the twentieth century the South African Life Assurance Company (Sanlam) developed from a local Cape-based enterprise to a strong diversified corporation extending social capital from the limited elite group to Afrikaners in the wider context of South Africa. The networks among Afrikaners were the key to the successful development of Sanlam and associated companies.

Keywords: social networks; Afrikaner elite; nationalism; life assurance; economic empowerment

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00076790802420344

Affiliations: 1: Department of Historical Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Publication date: 2008-11-01