Uncovering the Hidden Role of South African Journalism in Slavery
A recently published book, Reconsidering the History of South African Journalism: The Ghost of the Slave Press (2025 Routledge), by journalism professor Gawie Botma, delves into a critical but often overlooked aspect of South African media history. The work highlights how early newspapers and magazines were complicit in the institution of slavery, a role that has largely been ignored in mainstream narratives.
The connection between slavery and journalism is not unique to South Africa. In the United States and the United Kingdom, some newspapers have acknowledged their historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade. For example, the Hartford Courant, the oldest continuously published newspaper in the U.S., issued an apology for its involvement in the slave trade in 2000. Similarly, The Guardian in the UK apologized in 2023 for its founders’ links to the slave trade. However, in South Africa, the media’s role in the Cape colony’s long period of slavery remains unacknowledged.
Slavery in South Africa lasted from 1652 until 1838, spanning over 170 years. Historian Robert Shell estimates that approximately 63,000 enslaved individuals were brought to the Cape from various regions, including Africa, India, Indonesia, and Madagascar. Around 37,000 were freed in 1838. Despite this significant history, the role of the press during this time has been largely omitted or downplayed in academic and popular accounts.
Early Players in the Newspaper Industry
The first newspaper in the Cape colony, The Cape Town Gazette and African Advertiser / Kaapsche Stads Courant en Afrikaansche Berigter (CTG/KSC), was founded in 1800 by British slave traders Alexander Walker and John Robertson. According to historian A.C.G. Lloyd, these men were not only merchants but also involved in the slave trade, dealing with large numbers of enslaved people. The paper’s format included government news, commercial advertisements, and public announcements, setting a precedent for future publications.
Twenty-four years later, The South African Commercial Advertiser was established under the leadership of George Greig, Thomas Pringle, and John Fairbairn. While Pringle and Fairbairn were known for their idealism about the press, they gradually took a stance against slavery. Another notable publication, De Zuid-Afrikaan, founded in 1830, reported on slavery from the perspective of slave owners. Its editor, Christoffel J. Brand, was himself a slave owner and later became a prominent political figure.
The Press and the Slave Trade
Despite being considered a “liberal champion” of the press, The South African Commercial Advertiser actively contributed to the slave trade by publishing slave advertisements. The paper’s founder, George Greig, owned at least one enslaved person. This complex relationship with slavery has often been overlooked in favor of a more simplified narrative that portrays the paper as a beacon of free expression.
Media historian Wessel de Kock notes that the press in the colonial era was deeply influenced by the commercial interests of its owners. This raises questions about whether the early newspapers set a precedent that shaped the development of South African journalism for generations.
The Legacy of Complicity
While some newspapers played a role in the abolition of slavery by facilitating public debate, they also made compromises that often aligned with the interests of the ruling elite. The momentum for change came from external sources, such as the British Parliament, rather than from the press itself.
The legacy of this complicity continues to influence modern understandings of South African journalism. The dominant narrative has often framed the history of the press in terms of a dualistic divide between Afrikaans and English journalism. However, this overlooks the broader participation of both communities in the slave trade.
Revisiting the Past
It is essential to revisit the past and acknowledge the full complexity of South African journalism’s role in slavery. This includes recognizing the involvement of English-language newspapers and the broader implications of the press serving the interests of its owners. By doing so, a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the country’s media history can be developed.