Dirk Ziervogel (1917-1977) (Mss Acc 16)

Abstract

DIRK ZIERVOGEL PAPERS (3,6 linear metres) Manuscripts Collection MSS 16 (36 boxes) Prof Dirk Ziervogel was born on 12 November 1917 in Ermelo. He studied at the University of Pretoria where he obtained a BA degree majoring in Zulu, German, Northern Sotho and Anthropology. In 1941 he received an MA degree on aspects of the Swazi language. After Prof Ziervogel’s death in 1977, the family donated his valuable African languages library and archives to the Unisa Library Archives. The Collection includes Prof Ziervogel’s card catalogue which he used for the Comprehensive Northern Sotho Dictionary, copies of his African languages textbooks, Northern Sotho dictionary as well as a selection from his published research articles on aspects of Northern Sotho, Venda, Shona, Ndonga, Ndebele, Swazi, Zulu and the Eastern Transvaal Bushman language.

In 1939 Dirk Ziervogel was appointed as a lecturer in Bantu languages at the University of Pretoria. Five years later, he joined the municipality of Pretoria as location superintendent. From 1946 to 1954 he was employed as a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria. For a brief period in 1954, Dirk Ziervogel was employed as a researcher by the Department of Bantu Administration before joining the University of South Africa as the first professor of Bantu languages. He championed the creation of a university text book series.

Prof Ziervogel served on many university committees. He was a council member of the University of the North and served for many years as a member of the Unisa Senate and Joint Matriculation Board. In addition Prof Ziervogel was moderator for Bantu languages and a member of the Bantu Language Boards of South Africa and South West Africa. He is remembered for his amazing knowledge of African languages and dialects of South Africa.