History of South Africa's Press
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What role did the British government play in the establishment of the first press in South Africa?

The British government controlled the first newspaper, the Cape Town Gazette and African Advertiser, severely limiting its freedom.

What were the two primary divisions affecting the press in South Africa?

The divisions were based on language and race.

Why was the South African Commercial Advertiser closed shortly after its publication?

It was closed down by Lord Somerset due to fears that it might report on his immoral lifestyle.

What was the general relationship between the South African press and the ruling government throughout history?

<p>The press often experienced tension with the government regarding publication content and operational freedom.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to journalists in South Africa trying to bypass undemocratic laws?

<p>Journalists sought to operate freely despite government regulations that viewed the press as a threat to national security.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What led to the closure of The South African Journal despite its initial independence?

<p>Thomas Pringle decided to shut down the newspaper due to continuous trouble with authorities over its criticism of local politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the replacement of Governor Somerset influence the press in the Colonies?

<p>The replacement of Governor Somerset by Richard Bourke allowed the quest for an independent press to progress more successfully.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to the establishment of newspapers in almost every town in the Colonies?

<p>A large influx of settlers in the 1820s brought the necessary technology and expertise for expanding the news industry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ideological differences contributed to the slower development of the Afrikaans press compared to the English press?

<p>The Dutch adopted a less individualist ideology, emphasizing respect for authority and community, which slowed the emergence of an independent press.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who started the first Afrikaans/Dutch newspaper and what was its name?

<p>The first Afrikaans/Dutch newspaper, De Verzamelaar, was started by Portuguese immigrant Josephus Sausso de Lima.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Paver take regarding the newspaper, and why?

<p>Paver sold the newspaper to the Argus Company due to financial issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Bantu World on the apartheid government?

<p>Bantu World became an important critic of the apartheid government and was banned in 1977 due to its coverage of the 1976 student uprisings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the African Drum magazine and when?

<p>The African Drum magazine was founded by Jim Bailey in 1951.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of Drum magazine during its early years?

<p>Drum magazine focused on exposing social and political issues facing black South Africans under apartheid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Henry Nxumalo to Drum magazine?

<p>Henry Nxumalo, known as Mr. Drum, contributed to the magazine's reputation as an investigative publication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Rand Daily Mail's readership change in the 1970s?

<p>The Rand Daily Mail gained more black readers, with 80% of its audience becoming black by 1985.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of the Rand Daily Mail in 1985?

<p>The Rand Daily Mail closed down in 1985.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What publication did former journalists from the Rand Daily Mail found to continue anti-apartheid reporting?

<p>They founded The Weekly Mail, now known as the Mail &amp; Guardian.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Die Zuid-Afrikaan in the context of Afrikaans publications?

<p>Die Zuid-Afrikaan was significant as the first Afrikaans newspaper that represented the interests of the Afrikaans people and reflected anti-British sentiments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the English press differ from the Afrikaans press in terms of their development?

<p>The English press was developed by established journalists for commercial reasons, while the Afrikaans press was created by religious ministers to advocate for the Afrikaner nation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the five periods of development for the black press as outlined?

<p>The five periods of development for the black press are: the missionary period (1830-1880), the independent elitist period (1880-1930), the white-owned period (1930-1980), the multicultural period (1980-1995), and the black empowerment/commercial period (1995-today).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did missionaries play in the development of the black press?

<p>Missionaries established mission stations that promoted literacy among local people, which enabled the beginnings of the black press.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Tengo Jabavu and what was his contribution to the black press?

<p>John Tengo Jabavu was a significant figure in the independent elitist period who founded Imvo Zabantsundu, a key publication for the educated black elite.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the first newspaper aimed at black readers, and when was it founded?

<p>The first newspaper aimed at black readers was Umshumayeli Wendaba, founded in 1837.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did the Afrikaans press address issues of independence and nationalism?

<p>The Afrikaans press promoted the Afrikaans language and independence from Britain while discussing the perceived threat of Black nationalism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Afrikaans press criticized by the Dutch?

<p>The Afrikaans press was criticized by the Dutch for promoting what they termed 'kitchen language', which reflected a disdain for the informal use of Afrikaans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of 'The Independent Elitist' in South Africa's media landscape?

<p>'The Independent Elitist' was the first newspaper in South Africa written, edited, and published entirely by black citizens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Dube, and what was his contribution to the black press in South Africa?

<p>John Dube was the founder of Ilanga Lase Natal, the first Zulu newspaper, and the first president of the South African Native National Congress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Jabavu's early educational background and career path?

<p>Jabavu came from a poor family but was educated at a local Methodist school, later becoming a teacher and pastor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one major challenge faced by the black press during the White-Owned Period?

<p>The black press faced significant challenges such as lack of money, equipment, and a reliable distribution network.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What educational initiative did John Dube establish for the Zulu community?

<p>John Dube built a Christian Industrial School for Zulus, which facilitated access to higher education opportunities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Bertram Paver contribute to the black press?

<p>Bertram Paver established Bantu World, a newspaper that targeted the large black market and was modeled after the British tabloid The Daily Mirror.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Jabavu support the Native Lands Act of 1913 despite being a scholar who fought against anti-African legislation?

<p>Jabavu supported the Native Lands Act of 1913, highlighting a complex stance on land rights while advocating for broader African rights.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the educational background of John Dube, and how did it influence his work?

<p>John Dube was educated in the United States in science, mathematics, and theology, which influenced his subsequent efforts in education and church building in South Africa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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

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Explore the intricate relationship between South Africa's press and its government throughout history. This quiz examines key tensions, divisions, and the evolution of the press, including its four main strands. Delve into the role of journalists and the impact of government regulations on freedom of the press.

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