Book Review - Diensplig: Hoekom stotter ons pa's so?

𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐠: 𝐇𝐨𝐞𝐤𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐩𝐚'𝐬 𝐬𝐨? by Anelia Heese , Cape Town: Tafelberg, 2023, 256 pages ISBN 978-0-624-09398-5

This book delves into the experiences of many white South Africans who were conscripted for military duty during the well-known ‘Bosoorlog’ or Bush War (1966–1989). This book proves successful in recounting various experiences of these men who served in the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the 1970s and 1980s. It should be noted, however, that this book does not attempt a deep dive on the psychological impact these experiences had on the men. The author touches on themes relating to the perpetuation of ideologies, identity and belonging as well as memory and commemoration. The author, very early in the book, acknowledges the fact that she does not have a background in history or journalism, but that did not prohibit the author to use digital media to augment the research for this book.

With the effective use of interviews and personal stories, this book takes readers from the point of view of young white boys, barely out of school, from the train ride from their hometowns to their respective bases where their military journeys started. What makes this book more compelling is the description of how these young men conformed to compulsory service within the context of apartheid. Heese describes how very few men questioned their draft to the military, which was somewhat normal considering the political context and militarisation of society in South Africa at the time.[1] This does not, however, dilute the fact that there were many conscripts who tried their utmost to be declared medically unfit. These examples range from a person filling his ear with candle wax to more extreme examples such as suicide.[2] Moreover, the narrative acknowledges that some individuals found positive aspects in their conscription, experiencing personal growth in the sense of boys becoming men.[3] One veteran talks about the deference shown to people who wear ‘browns’, and how getting a military service number denotes joining an esteemed institution.[4]

The author's conduct of personal interviews lends authenticity to the book by introducing a more human aspect. One could argue this element of emotion is often missing from more traditional books on the military and war. As if to hammer on the militarisation of South Africa during this time, the author makes mention of how military officers would visit schools to teach future soldiers of the so called Red and Black Danger.[5] Almost comically, even the process of hair cutting for the young men, a ritual that every young soldier had to go through, is explained. No matter your background, the army did not discriminate.[6] The description evokes a thought of the opening of the movie Full Metal Jacket.

The narrative succeeds in describing a controversial part of South African history by giving a voice to soldiers that have not always had the platform to bring forth their opinions and for that matter, their feelings. Reflecting on their experiences, some veterans harbour feelings of anger and bitterness towards their time in the military, illustrating the complex and multifaceted nature of the apartheid system. One former conscript bemoans the trajectory of the political negotiations which followed 1994, emphasising that that the country was sold out from under him. Another point highlights how the conscripts were indoctrinated with jingoistic creeds, believing they were patriots fighting for South Africa, only to ultimately feel betrayed after the war ended.[7] Therefore, Diensplig, to a certain extent, explores a theme in which former conscripts must navigate the complexities of their military service while adapting to the new political landscape that emerged in 1994.

Further reflections of these feelings are based on various factors. Conscientious objectors, for example, were still required to serve in the military, albeit in roles such as cooks, clerks, drivers, or medical staff. This, however, was short lived as by 1974 conscientious objectors could be deployed in combat units.[8]

The interviews also revealed that the conscripts' service period ended suddenly and that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were not necessarily receiving enough treatment or support. An interviewee brought attention to the deficiency of post-service support, by stating that he is still dealing with the consequences of his military experiences four decades later.[9]

As contrasted to the larger political and military backdrop of the Border War, history works like South Africa's Border War, 1966–89, by Willem Steenkamp[10], Diensplig presents a more sentimental account of the conscripts. When examining interviews and personal narratives, J.H. Thompson's An Unpopular War: From Afkak to Bosbefok: Voices of South African National Service Men[11] follows a similar path to that of Diensplig. Despite the similarities, Diensplig endeavours to highlight the personal and communal impacts of conscription, something Thompson's work does not consistently address.

Despite the personal testimonies of interviews, one has to countenance the fact that a lack of personal interviews can provide an absence of emotional nuances. Furthermore, by the author’s own words, no decisive conclusions should be drawn from this book as there were more or less 600 000 conscript soldiers, of which she only interacted with 60.[12]

But taken as a whole, the moving personal testimonies highlight the larger issue of reluctant obedience and hidden trauma among conscripts, creating a striking picture of the social forces of the time and its quiet consequences. Although this particular focus is highly humanising, it would be beneficial to conduct a more thorough cross-examination of these personal experiences against more extensive historical sources to place them in a more comprehensive socio-political framework.

Heese’s work provides an ideal basis for additional research, even though it falls short in analytical depth. It is a definite must read in the field of military history which provides a more emotional read than traditional books on military history; the small sample of interviewees is testimony to that fact. The only definitive conclusion that can be reached in this book, as the author acknowledges, is the fact that the journey of all young white military conscripts began in the halls of the Civitas building in Pretoria where their identity documents were issued.[13] However, the story depicted in Diensplig points to a feature of military conscription that is common to many cultures and historical periods – it is a rite of passage into a difficult adulthood. Thus, this book advances knowledge of the societal effects of military duty in addition to adding to South Africa's military history.

Willem Du Plessis , Department of Military History, Stellenbosch University

ENDNOTES

[1] A. Heese. Diensplig. Hoekom stotter ons pa’s so? Cape Town: Tafelberg, 2023, 30.

[2] Ibid., p. 185.

[3] Ibid., p. 63.

[4] Ibid., p. 32.

[5] Ibid., p. 33.

[6] Ibid., p. 39.

[7] A. Heese. Diensplig. Hoekom stotter ons pa’s so? Cape Town: Tafelberg, 2023, 213-214.

[8] Ibid., p. 189.

[9] Ibid., p. 170.

[10] W. Steenkamp. South Africa's Border War, 1966–89. Warwick: Helion and Company, 2014.

[11] J.H. Thompson. An Unpopular War: From Afkak to Bosbefok. Cape Town: Zebra Press, 2011.

[12] A. Heese. Diensplig. Hoekom stotter ons pa’s so? Cape Town: Tafelberg, 2023, 223-234.

[13] Ibid., p. 234.