Ruhan researches in the broad field of twentieth century South African politics and culture with a focus on Afrikaner nationalism. His current focus is the role of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, the largest church in the apartheid-era, in shaping white lives during apartheid. His PhD thesis, conferred by the University of the Free State in 2022, was entitled
“Angles and Demons”? The Dutch Reformed Church and Anticommunism in Twentieth Century South Africa. This thesis is currently being developed into a monograph. Ruhan holds a BA (History and Political Science) from Nelson Mandela University, and an Honours (History)
cum laude and MA (History)
cum laude from Stellenbosch University. Further fields of interest are biography and public history.
Papers
R. Fourie, “Die Afrikaanse Kerke en antikommunisme in die Twintigste eeu”, Kommunisme in Suid-Afrika: Verlede, Verloop, Vandag, 1921-2021, Symposium hosted by the History Commission of the South African Academy of Science and Arts, 29 January 2021.
Awards/Fellowships
Protea Boekhuis Prize for best MA thesis in Afrikaans awarded by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (2020)
Stichting Studiefonds voor Zuid-Afrikaanse Studenten (SSF) from Stichting Zuid-Afrikahuiz Nederland. This scholarship enabled a three-month visit fellowship at University of Groningen, Netherlands (2019)
Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns Bursary (2016)
HB Thom Bursary (2016)
Stellenbosch University Merit Bursary (2015)
Public engagements
Podcast interview on Narratief by Bouwer Bosch, part one and two, 23 & 30 September 2018 (Afrikaans)
Podcast interview on Narratief by Bouwer Bosch, link, 14 October 2020 (Afrikaans)
Podcast inverview on Fearless & Unfiltered by Lidia Rauch, link, 4 August 2021 (Afrikaans)
R. Fourie, “Reflection on Jaap Durand: He was an underminer of apartheid”, News24, 29 January 2022
R. Fourie, “The Making Of A Dissident Afrikaner: Lessons From Beyers Naudé For Today's Rebels”, Huffington Post South Africa, 11 May 2018
R. Fourie, “Waarom ANC so hou van sy ou kamerade”, Rapport, 20 March 2022. (Afrikaans book review on L. Scholtz, Terreur en Bevryding: Die ANC/SAKP, die kommunisme en geweld (1961-1990)
R. Fourie, “Gedeelde geskiedenis van môre lê in ‘grys areas’”, Netwerk24, 7 August 2018 (Afrikaans)
Links
Twitter
Google Scholar