‘The thinking is done in London’: South Africa’s English Language Press and Imperialism

Shrinking planet, expanding imaginary: the imperial press system and the idea of Greater Britain

“…The effort was lauded by the settler press in spite of its failure, with the Johannesburg Times suggesting it marked the 'glorious procession of the Anglo-Saxon race'. 75 Figures like Rhodes played a key role in the circular flows of journalists around the empire. Together with W.T.…”

“…Local publications despaired at British losses, celebrated their victories, and reacted hysterically to major events such as the relief of Ladysmith and Mafeking. 85 Partly this was a function of the imperial bias colouring Reuters news. But it also seemed to reflect a genuinely felt enthusiasm for the signs and symbols of British nationality and culture.…”

“…Royal imagery was everywhere, appearing on newspaper mastheads, in special reports and in stories venerating Victoria as the 'imperial matriarch' who bound the Cape to fellow Britons. 86 Milner, meanwhile, helped secure the appointment of editors supportive of anglicising the region, while the Argus Company acquired a host of additional outlets in the region.…”

“…The defeat of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal in 1900, for instance, led to the forced closure of pro-republic newspapers such as the Standard & Diggers News, while other sympathetic editors were imprisoned for libel. 88 The imperial press system in South Africa thus surfaced a particular rendering of the place, its people, and Britain's presence there. This relied strong on racial stereotyping to create and sustain a social hierarchy in which Boers were placed beneath Britons, and Africans beneath Boers.…”