A new trek, but the same old rhetoric: A review essay of Johann van Rooyen׳s The new great trek: The story of South Africa׳s white exodus

This review essay critiques Johann van Rooyen ' s The new great trek : the story of South Africa ' s white exodus . It asserts that there are problems with the book' s title, structure, and theoretical foundation. This essay contends that there is a problematic reiteration of the rhetoric of crime grounded in a racial dichotomy. It discusses the rhetorics that link whiteness with normalcy and South Africanness, as well as van Rooyen ' s inappropriate use of terms such as 'exiles', 'victims', and 'diaspora' for these white emigrants. It offers a further analysis of van Rooyen ' s extended discussion of crime in one section of the book. The essay concludes by offering brief comment on other weaknesses and strengths of the book. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]