STRANGE BUT TRUE
What brenda and Verwoerd had in common
We focus on their psychological development and their strive for prominence
BLACK consciousness movement leader Steve Biko, Afro-pop singer Brenda Fassie and the architect of apartheid, Hendrik Verwoerd, all shared a common trait.
As unlikely as it may seem, research released by the University of Free State indicates that they shared an affinity for prominence.
Professor Paul Fouche of the university’s psychology department and researchers from other South African universities released the findings on psychobiographical studies done on personalities — both good and bad — who played a role in South Africa’s history.
“With these studies, we don’t aim to glorify the personalities under study nor promote their ideas. We only focus on the psychological development of these individuals and their strive for prominence in their lives,” said Fouche.
South African such as Jan Smuts, Bram Fischer, Verwoerd, John Vorster, Biko,
As children [they] were already aware of a sense of motivational drive
Johannes Kerkorrel and Fassie came under scrutiny.
Fouche explained that a psychobiographical study referred to the study of the “personality development of unusual historical individuals”.
The research indicated that Fassie, Biko and Verwoerd showed an “early sense of calling and mission and as children were already aware of a sense of motivational drive”.
Researchers found that antiapartheid stalwarts Beyers Naudé and Fischer had displayed an early sense of “interconnectedness of life, people and events that creates a sense that the interest of the community should be more important than merely one’s own interest”.
Biko and Fassie had also demonstrated this trait.
Fouche said the studies found that notable historical figures were often prolific readers who had a passion for literature since childhood.
“Generally, they also had a great love for nature and a sense of sacredness of it, as well as a love for the cosmos.”
The research further indicates that many of them had to take up leadership roles in the family from a young age and were driven to succeed in order to take care of their own.
In many of these cases, there was a strong partner who supported the leader while they went about the business of governing their world, the research found.
“It should be noted that prominence may have a better chance of reaching fulfilment when all prominent characteristics or traits work together,” said Fouche.
According to US academic Professor Dean Simonton, who wrote the book Who Makes History and Why, the characteristics of prominent people include “a workaholic type of behaviour pattern and an optimistic approach to explaining life’s adversities”.
Fouche said Smuts had displayed these traits.