Click on the link here for Audio Player – Sir Roy Walensky of Southern Rhodesia on Meet The Press – October 27, 1963 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection
As the Independence movements in Africa began to gather steam, so too did concerns that violence would break out. Visions of a repeat performance of the situation in the former Belgian Congo in 1960 played repeatedly in everyone’s head.
But not all moves to create Independent countries from former colonies were met with a bloodbath.
The latest act of transition came in 1963 when Britain decided it was time to hold Independence talks with the former colonies of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (Malawi) formerly known as part of the British Central Africa Protectorate, which included Southern and Northern Rhodesia.
On October 27, 1963, Rhodesia and Nyasaland Prime Minister Sir Roy Walensky made a guest appearance on the NBC News program Meet The Press and discuss the changing scene in his part of that continent, and what were his feelings about the changing face of Africa and the breakup of Rhodesia which was to take place on December 31st, splitting Rhodesia into a Northern and Southern part. The question now facing many in the region was over the transition from White Minority rule to Black Majority rule, and the concept didn’t sit well with many in the White Minority ruled governments, such as Southern Rhodesia. Walensky attributed much of the fear to Communist influences, but he maintained such a fear of black-on-white violence wouldn’t happen.
Meanwhile, a state of uncertainty over a changing world – the old Colonial powers were rapidly becoming a thing of the past. But still, many days and years of bloodshed before it settled down.
Here is that complete broadcast interview with Sir Roy Walensky of Southern Rhodesia from Meet The Press for October 27, 1963.
