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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | The Union Federal Party and Secession (1953-1956) |
| Author: | Facchini, Manuele |
| Year: | 1999-2001 |
| Periodical: | Journal of Natal and Zulu History |
| Volume: | 19 |
| Pages: | 73-93 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic terms: | South Africa Natal Great Britain |
| Subjects: | separatism foreign policy Politics and Government History and Exploration |
| Abstract: | This paper deals with Anglo/Afrikaner relations in South Africa after 1948. It focuses on the little known contact between the leader of the Natal-based Union Federal Party (UFP), Heaton Nicholls, and the Commonwealth Relations Office. British official documents confirm the rumours that the UFP seriously envisaged secession as the only way towards a federation of all the British territories of southern Africa. Twice, in 1952 and 1953, Heaton Nicholls tried, secretly, to obtain British aid for a possible secession of Natal. At the end of World War II, Britain retained interests in the Union that went beyond the traditional cultural and personal ties. Despite British abhorrence of apartheid, the mutually beneficial economic links and Cold War strategic concerns about the supply of minerals and the defence of the Cape route pushed Britain to maintain good relations with the Union. Owing to the extent and degree of Britain's economic involvement with South Africa, British policy towards South Africa was not characterized by bold initiatives, as no government was prepared to break the ties with the Union (then Republic), whether by leading the crusade against apartheid or by supporting secessionist ventures in South Africa. Notes, ref. |