Ferdinand Postma

Ferdinand Postma was the first rector of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Ferdinand Postma
Rector of Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education
In office
1921–1950
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byVan Rooy, J.C.
Personal details
Born(1879-07-15)July 15, 1879
Aliwal North, South Africa
DiedNovember 4, 1950(1950-11-04) (aged 71)
Potchefstroom
SpouseMargaretha Jacoba Coetsee
Alma materVrije Universiteit

Personal life

Postma was the second son of Marthinus Postma and Elizabeth Wilhelmina Josina Spiller. He was born on 15 July 1879 in Aliwal North, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.[1][2] In 1880 the family moved to Burgersdorp. Up till 1890 he went to school in Burgersdorp. In 1890 his father, a pastor moved to Middelburg and Postma attend the Christian school there. He passed standard 10 (grade 12) in 1896 in Burgersdorp. He passed the intermediate exam of the University of Good Hope in Cape Town. After the local war in South Africa he studied with a bursary at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Here he completed his Theological studies. In 1903 he obtained the qualification Litterarum Humaniorum Candidatus.[3] He was married to Margaretha Jacoba Coetsee.[4] He died in Potchefstroom on 4 November 1950.[5]

Education

In January 1904 he became a professor in Literature at the Theological Centre of the Reformed Church in Potchefstroom.[6] He was involved in the establishing of the first Afrikaans School in Potchefstroom, called Potchefstroom Gimnasium.[7] In 1913 he studied further in Classical language in the Netherlands and obtained his PhD with the title:” De Numine Devino quid senserit Vergilius".[8] In 1919 he became the first rector of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.[9] From 1936–1938 he was chairman of the senate of University of South Africa.[10] An honoury PhD, Doctor Educationis honoris was awarded to him by the University of South Africa.[11]

Writer

He wrote the following books:

  • (Afrikaans) Hy het sy merk gemaak. (Translated: He made his mark )[12]
  • Kleopatra[13]
  • (Afrikaans) Beknopte woordeboek: Afrikaans-Latyn / Latyn-Afrikaans (translated: Concised dictionary Afrikaans- Latin, Latin –Afrikaans)[14]
  • (Afrikaans) Vuurpyle (translated: Rockets)[15]
  • (Afrikaans) Paul Kruger: Christen-Volksman-Staatsman (translated: Paul Kruger, Christian, father of the Nation, Statesman)[16]
  • (Afrikaans) Paulus, ’n geroepe apostel van Jesus Christus (translated: Paul a disciple of Jesus Christ)[17]
  • (Afrikaans) Erfstukke uit die klassieke oudheid (translated: Classic inherited peaces)[18]

Recognition

A high school in Potchefstroom is named after him and also the university library.[19][20]

References
  1. "Ferdinand Postma, professor of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in Burgersdorp and later Potchefstroom, is born". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  2. "(Afrikaans)14 Mei 1853 Bettie Spiller gebore (translated: 14 May 1853 Bettie Spiller is born)". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  3. "(Afrikaans) Teologiese skool (Theoloigal Centre)". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. "(Afrikaans) 23 Junie 2000 Betsie van der Walt oorlede (translated: Betsie van der Walt died)". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  5. "Professor Ferdinand Postma, educationist and rector of the Potchefstroom University, dies in Potchefstroom". SAHO. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  6. "Ferdinand Postma Library: Stone Laying, 17 March 1951" (PDF). Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  7. "Potchefstroom Gimnasium". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  8. "De numine divino quid senserit Vergilius Disputatio litteraria quam submissurus est Ferdinand Postma". Hathi Trust Digital library.
  9. "Book launch and exhibition of NWU Art Collection". Artslink. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  10. "Ferdinand Postma". CKE. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  11. van der Walt, S.P. (1980). "Ferdinand Postma : 'n Herinnering*". bulletin for Christian Scholarship. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  12. "Hy het sy merk gemaak". De Bussy. 1927.
  13. "(Afrikaans) Geskiedenis van die Afrikaanse literatuur 1 (translated: History of Afrikaans literature)". JC Kanemeyer. 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  14. "Beknopte woordeboek: Afrikaans-Latyn / Latyn-Afrikaans". 1927.
  15. Vuurpyle. De Bussy. 1943. OCLC 14630244.
  16. "Paul Kruger: Christen-Volksman-Staatsman". Pro-Ecclesia. 1944.
  17. "Paulus,'n geroepe apostel van Jesus Christus". Van Schaik. 1949.
  18. van der Walt, B.J. "(Afrikaans) Op die spore van filosofiese onderwys op Potchefstroom honderd jaar gelede (translated: In the steps of education in Potchefstroom 100 years ago)" (PDF). koersjournal. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  19. "(Afrikaans) Geskiedenis (translated: History)". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  20. "Ferdinand Postma Library – sixtieth anniversary". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
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