Sol Plaatje : a psychobiographical study
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Date
2020-01
Authors
Welman, Crystal Alicia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
In recent years, interest in psychobiographical research has seen remarkable growth both
internationally and nationally. The number of academically institutionalised
psychobiographies conducted in South African universities have also increased significantly.
South African psychologists may further be motivated by the country’s political history to
embark on the study of significant and exceptional figures who helped shape its history. A
renewed focus on anti-apartheid activists might contribute to a deeper understanding of South
Africa’s troubled past by exploring these individuals’ roles in the journey towards democracy.
Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje (1876-1932) was an enigmatic multilingual novelist, journalist and
leading figure in South Africa’s liberation history. He is best remembered as one of the
founding members of the 1912 South African Native National Congress (SANNC), the
forerunner of the present-day African National Congress (ANC). Sol Plaatje lived through
times of tumultuous political change, yet he consistently demonstrated tenacity and resilience,
often under very trying conditions. His legacy to South African history is widely recognized
and his acumen and determination ensured that he became known for his intolerance of
injustice and disempowerment of the disenfranchised.
Despite the wealth of information available on Sol Plaatje, none of the works provide an in
depth psychological perspective on his life. Therefore, he was selected as the subject for this
psychobiographical study through purposive sampling, in order to provide a psychologically
driven exploration and description of aspects of his life, within his socio-historical context.
This was achieved through the application of two specific psychological frameworks to the
available biographical and historical data collected on Plaatje. The two frameworks employed
in this study are (a) Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, and (b) the Wheel of
Wellness (WoW) model for holistic wellness. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to
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provide a psychologically-driven exploration and description of Plaatje’s psychosocial
development and his holistic wellness across his lifespan, within his socio-historical context.
The use of two methodological strategies in this study proved meaningful in the extraction
and analysis of data. Firstly, five significant historical life periods were identified, and
prominent salient themes in the collected data were extracted, organised and analysed
according to Alexander’s nine indicators of psychological saliency. In addition, to assist with
the wealth of information available on Plaatje, the researcher posed specific questions to the
data, which enabled the extraction of units of analysis relevant to the aim of the study.
Secondly, the use of two conceptual matrices facilitated the analysis, categorisation,
presentation and discussion of the stages of psychosocial development and the constructs of
holistic wellness within the five historical periods identified on his life.
The eugraphic focus of the two frameworks utilised in this study allowed the researcher to
uncover Plaatje’s life history in terms of healthy development and holistic wellness. Findings
from this study suggested that Plaatje successfully navigated all the psychosocial stages of
development and attained all ego qualities as proposed by Erikson. He exemplified a case
where certain stages were entered before their prescribed period, or where others were revisited
or prolonged, depending on his interaction with his historical setting. Findings from this study
also suggested that Plaatje achieved a relatively high degree of wellness in all the dimensions
of the WoW model across his lifespan. The integrative, holistic approach of both psychological
frameworks highlighted the impact of his political, cultural and historical environment on his
psychosocial development and holistic wellness.
Description
Keywords
Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2020, Psychobiography, Psychosocial development, Plaatje, Sol. T. - (Solomon Tshekisho) - 1876-1932, Political activists - South Africa - Biography, Sol Plaatje - Pscyhology, South Africa - Politics and government - 1909-1948