The Myth of 'Black Peril': Die Burger and the 1929 Election

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Periodical article

Title:	The Myth of 'Black Peril': Die Burger and the 1929 Election
Author:	Lubbe, Henriëtte J.
Year:	1997
Periodical:	South African Historical Journal
Issue:	37
Pages:	107-132
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	press racism elections 1929 Literature, Mass Media and the Press Politics and Government History and Exploration Ethnic and Race Relations
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02582479708671294
Abstract:	During the election campaign preceding the 1929 parliamentary elections in South Africa the Pact government (an alliance of the Labour Party and the National Party, NP) was able to rely on the loyal support of the Nasionale Pers's most influential propaganda instrument, 'Die Burger'. During the campaign the newspaper devoted its energy to developing the Pact's 'black peril' election cry. Race relations had already played a role in the 1924 election, but the race issue was then handled largely as an economic question. During the election campaign of 1928-1929 'black peril' was identified mainly with a political threat to the 'white State'. Readers of 'Die Burger' had in this daily a zealous champion of white superiority. The outcome of the 1929 election confirmed the NP's increased popularity. Race relations, however, were certainly not the major reason for the Pact's victory in 1929. The direct influence of 'Die Burger' on voting behaviour should not be overemphasized. Notes, ref.