How Do You Spell OSSEWABRANDWAG?

Pronunciation: [ˈɒsjuːˌɒbɹɐndwˌaɡ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "ossewabrandwag" is complex, as it is a compound word from Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa. The IPA phonetic transcription for "ossewabrandwag" is /ˈɔsəwaːbrɑntvaχ/, where each symbol represents a sound in the word. The word translates to "ox-wagon fire watch" and refers to a South African nationalist organization that was active during the 1930s-1940s. Despite its tricky spelling, "ossewabrandwag" is an important and historical term in South African culture.

Meaning and Definition
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OSSEWABRANDWAG Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "Ossewabrandwag" refers to a historical nationalist movement in South Africa. Originated from Afrikaans, it literally translates to "Ox-wagon Sentinel" in English. It emerged in the early 1940s and played a significant role in the political landscape of the country during and after World War II.

    The Ossewabrandwag was a right-wing, pro-Fascist organization that aimed to promote Afrikaner nationalism and support Nazi Germany. Its members vehemently opposed the country's involvement in the war against Germany, advocating for the protection of Afrikaner culture and interests instead. The movement, while lacking significant influence during the war, gained traction among Afrikaner nationalists who resented British political dominance.

    Led by leaders such as Johannes Van Rensburg and Jaap Marais, the Ossewabrandwag was marked by its paramilitary structure and use of intimidation tactics against both political opponents and those Afrikaners who supported the Allied cause. However, following the defeat of the Axis powers in World War II, the movement's influence declined. It split into more moderate Afrikaner nationalist groups, notably the Herenigde Nasionale Party, and some members shifted their focus towards establishing the National Party, which would later implement apartheid policies.

    In summary, the Ossewabrandwag was a nationalist movement in South Africa during World War II characterized by its opposition to the country's involvement in the war and its affiliation with Nazi Germany. Despite its initial prominence, it waned in influence following the conflict.

Etymology of OSSEWABRANDWAG

The word "ossewabrandwag" is derived from the Afrikaans language, which is a West Germanic language spoken in South Africa and Namibia. The literal translation of "ossewabrandwag" is "oxwagon guard" or "oxwagon sentinel".

During World War II, the term "Ossewabrandwag" was used to refer to a right-wing nationalist political organization in South Africa. The name was chosen as a symbol of the Boer people's struggles against the British during the Anglo-Boer wars of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The term is composed of three parts: "ossewa" meaning "oxwagon", "brand" meaning "fire" or "blaze", and "wag" meaning "guard" or "sentinel".