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Diko van Zyl
Author of historical works on the history of the wine industry,
other agricultural branches and general economic history of the Western Cape
Professor of South African History at Stellenbosch University
Dirk Jakobus (Diko) van Zyl was born on 10 June 1941 in Leipoldtville. After
matriculation in Vredendal he studied at Stellenbosch University (MA cum laude, DPhil 1974).
Diko worked as a news reporter at the SABC in Cape Town before joining Stellenbosch University as lecturer in History in 1966 at the age of 24. In 1974 he became senior lecturer in History and in 1978 he was appointed professor of South African History at Stellenbosch University.
After early retirement in June 1996, he was appointed Extra-ordinary Tutor, 1996 - 2000
Since 1996 he is a research consultant for various institutions and business
organisations, including the Department of Land Affairs and lawyer firms.
Diko van Zyl lives in Stellenbosch. He is married to Babsie Louw and they have a daughter, Colette.
Memberships:
Former full member of the South African Academy of Science and Arts
Member and later chairman of the History Commission of the South African
Academy of Science and Arts, 1980 -1996
President of the South African Historical Society, 1984 1985
National Archives Commission
Editorial boards of the Archives Year Book for South African History and the
South African Historical Journal
Awards:
Rewards by Stellenbosch University for quality tuition, research and
publications, 1992 and 1994
Stals Prize for History 1995 for the promotion of and publications on economic
history
Publications
25 books and other publications, including 9 articles on theoretical,
biographical and historiographical topics and 3 economic articles
Major publications:
1974: Die geskiedenis van wynbou en wynhandel in die Kaapkolonie, 1795-1860
1975: Kaapse Wyn en Brandewyn, 1795 - 1860
The story of South Africa (translated into
5 languages)
1979: Landboumetodes aan die Kaap
Die geskiedenis van Landbou en die
Bedryfslewe van Stellenbosch
1984: Die Van Zyl-familie in Suid-Afrika
1984 -1986: Editor-in-Chief, Heritage Series (6 books)
1986: The Discovery of Wealth: The Advent of the Industrial Revolution in South
Africa, 1870-1899
1987: Vineyards and Wine and History in South Africa
Die ekonomiese ontwikkeling van die Paarl
1988: Die geskiedenis van Kaapse Wynbou
1989: Die geskiedenis van WPK
1990: Langeberg : 50 years of canning achievement, 1940-1990
Illustrierte Geschichte Südafrikas
1993: Die geskiedenis van KWV, 1918 - 1993
2002: Frans Malan van Simonsig
Text by Diko van Zyl, October 2004
www.StellenboschWriters.com © Rosemarie Breuer
Books
Find Afrikana and other books at bidorbuy.co.za