Integration

There is a lot of talk about the integration of foreigners lately -- for example, in Europe. In South Africa, in spite of its upheavals, this has happened successfully at least twice:

1. There were the French refugees -- the Huguenots -- who were integrated into a Dutch colony. The Dutch demanded oaths of allegiance, dispersed the French among the population -- then came French language bans, and widespread intermarriage. Today, they are one people -- the Afrikaaners.

2. There were African refugees -- the Bhaca, the Bhele, Hlubi, Zizi, and Radebe -- who were integrated into the Xhosa nation. Xhosas demanded pledges of loyalty, dispersed the refugees among the population, integrated the fighting forces, and intermarried. Today, they are one people -- the Xhosas.

OBSERVATION: This is to put it very simply. My wife, incidentally, speaks the language of the Afrikaaners -- which originates with the Dutch -- and is mostly of Xhosa ancestry.