Dr. Verwoerd Makes A Statement As South Africa Becomes A Republic (1961)

Pretoria, South Africa.



LS GV zoom in to Prime Minister Henrik Verwoerd's residence CUs Dr Verwoerd speaking. 'The Republic of South Africa is the only sure and stable friend the Western nations have in Africa. We have for a long time developed in South Africa a nation of our own - friendly, prosperous, progressive, standing on its own feet and aiding others, and we hope that the rest of Africa will become likewise. Fortunately, even the former opponents of the Republic - those who were not in favour of the change from the monarchy - are now prepared to make a success of the Republic. Of course there have been sensational journalism and conditioned reporting which have given the impression that there would be great difficulties ahead of us, but we are convinced that all this will pass. Only restricted measures were needed to protect the orderly masses of all races seeking peace and order. The record of stable government will continue in South Africa - surely this must be considering that there were only six Prime Ministers and five changes of government in the past fifty years. This will insure the same economic stability and progress as in the past. Not for us are the sudden upheavals which created chaos in the Congo and the struggle of multi racialism elsewhere, where each group seeks to dominate and the lack of confidence in what may happen creates economic uncertainty. We seek gradual separate development. Here the solution is sought by openly retaining the white man's guiding hand, where elsewhere it is hidden. We guarantee that administration and industrial development will not fail. In the Republic the example next to one another is taken to provide the pattern whereby our racial groups will become self-governing without dominance or discrimination. And Co-operation and consultation on what is of common interest will be found in a commonwealth of Southern Africa. So true democracy for its masses - not satisfaction of ambitions of single dictatorships will be sought by the republic. May peace and prosperity and western friendship aid it in these noble aims.'



F.G.



Note: this is not the full text of the speech - more of a precis.
FILM ID:2932.17

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