Relationship Between South African Nature Conservation Thought and Afrikaans Nationalism：Taking Kruger National Park as an Example

The establishment of Kruger National Park in South Africa in 1926 marked a significant milestone in the history of national parks worldwide. By researching a series of conservation laws and policies in South Africa, the article reveals that the creation of Kruger National Park was driven by the desire to create a unifying symbol for the Afrikaner community and the growing recognition of the importance of wildlife conservation. The 1870s was a crucial turning point in South Africa's natural conservation history, as well as giving rise to early Afrikaner nationalism. The lower-class Boer hunters faced competition from both British hunters and black hunter-gatherers, resulting in various conflicts. After the 1870s, the internal divisions within the Afrikaner community began to emerge, with the South African ruling class using Afrikaner nationalism as a unifying banner to blend the personal worship of South African national leaders with the popular natural conservation thought. In this way, the first national park in South Africa—Kruger National Park—was established. Introducing the Afrikaner nationalist perspective in the establishment process of Kruger National Park has enriched the dimensions of South Africa's natural conservation thought and provided a broader historical background for establishing national parks worldwide.