History of South Africa's Press

History of South Africa's Press

• South Africa's press has had a complex relationship with the ruling government throughout its history
• This relationship has remained consistent despite numerous changes in government
• Key issues include tension between the press and government, based on what should be published
• Divisions within the press on language and racial lines are prominent
• The state viewed the press as a threat to national security
• Journalists have attempted to circumvent undemocratic laws and regulations

Four Strands of South Africa's Press

• English Press, Afrikaans Press, Black Press, Alternative Press
• These strands have each manifested the issues with the government in different ways

The English Press

• South Africa had no local press until after British control
• The first newspaper (Cape Town Gazette and African Advertiser) was published in 1800, owned by slave owners
• Initial press was overseen and controlled by the British government
• An independent newspaper (The South African Commercial Advertiser) was published in 1824, but later shut down for its criticisms of local politics
• The press played a crucial role in exposing the political and social problems facing black South Africans.

The Afrikaans Press

• Development was slower due to less of an individualistic and more of a communal ideology
• The first Afrikaans/Dutch newspaper (De Verzamelaar) was published in opposition to existing papers and their views on slavery, missions, and tensions
• It was started by Josephus Sausso de Lima and was the first wholly Afrikaans/Dutch publication
• It was largely unpopular with authorities, primarily due to issues involving Dutch settlers

The Afrikaans Press (continued)

• The first Afrikaans newspaper (Die Zuid-Afrikaan) catered to the needs and interests of the people
• It was unpopular with authorities because the owner challenged and opposed the local authorities in court over arguments with Dutch settlers
• The newspaper's perspectives reflected anti-British sentiments

The Black Press

• The Black press emerged after the Cape Colony allowed for a free press
• Development phases included: missionary (1830-1880), independent elitist (1880-1930), white-owned (1930-1980), multicultural (1980-1995), and Black empowerment/commercial (1995-present)

The Missionary Period

• The black press development was facilitated by mission stations in the Eastern Cape
• Missionaries ensured the literacy and provided technical skills to the local people
• Local people adopted Western writing ideals
• The first newspaper for black readers was established in 1837 (Umshumayeli Wendaba)
• The first newspaper completely edited by black journalists was published in 1876

The Independent Elitist Period

• A gap in wealth and education between the educated and uneducated classes of local people emerged in this time.
• One of the key figures was John Tengo Jabavu, who founded Imvo Zabantsundu, South Africa's first fully black-authored newspaper
• The newspaper focused on issues pertaining to black South Africans under apartheid

The Independent Elitist Period (Continued)

• Ilanga Lase Natal was another important paper
• It was founded by John Dube in 1903 and later became a critical voice against Afrikaner nationalism.
• Dube served as the first president of the South African Native National Congress (later the African National Congress).

The Independent Elitist Period (Continued 2)

• Dube came from a relatively wealthy family but aspired to provide a platform for black journalists
• He became a teacher, pastor, and a valuable contributor to the black press

The White-Owned Period

• Main challenges for the black press included the lack of funds, equipment, qualified workers, and an effective distribution network
• An important paper, Bantu World was seen as representing black markets and was created by Bertram Paver
• Bantu World attracted significant criticism of the Apartheid government, ultimately drawing sanctions leading to the handover to the Argus Company.

The White-Owned Period (Continued)

• Drum, a significant publication, was funded by Jim Bailey and introduced alternative press in South Africa
• It focused on investigative journalism of the social and political issues facing black South Africans under apartheid
• The publication highlighted black musicians, writers, and developed colourful terminology for urban black communities.

The Multi-Racial Period

• During the 1970s, traditionally white newspapers began to increase their circulation among black readers
• More black journalists moved to prominent positions in the mainstream media
• The Rand Daily Mail started prominently reporting on township news
• Despite the Apartheid government's attempts to suppress dissent, anti-apartheid news continued to gain prominence