The decolonization of French-speaking territories in Africa as reflected in the South African press

Abstract

The events surrounding the independence of the Belgian Congo and Algeria were reported on in considerable detail in the South African press between 1960 and 1962. Because of its relative proximity to South Africa, the conflict in the Congo was considered by the Afrikaans-speaking press in particular to be a potential danger to the Union of South Africa, since it gave the opportunity for Soviet imperialism to make further inroads into Africa. The Algerian war of independence provided a more direct parallel with South Africa. In both countries a large white population was in danger of losing its identity. General de Gaulle was hailed by the English and Afrikaans press alike as being the strong leader who was needed to deal with this explosive situation. He was seen by some editorialists as having done all he could, while for others he did not go far enough, since he gave full autonomy to Algeria and sacrificed the white population.