Documents: Part Two - The all African convention and efforts at wider unity

Document 63. Statement on the Atlantic Charter, by Professor D.D.T. Jabavu, June 26, 1943

Our representatives in the Native Representative Council last November rightly pressed the government for a clear interpretation of the Atlantic Charter. The reason for this pressure is not far to seek. The original terms of the Charter are couched in grandiose language that easily satisfies complacent communities that find this world a fairly comfortable place to live in. But in the case of the Black races that inhabit South Africa, this charter can mean something great and epochal if given a close and conscientious interpretation by the rulers that be. On the other hand it may amount to nothing more than empty words if the government of this land intends to stop at the reply given at Pretoria last November. The questions that naturally arise are these:-

(1) Does this charter apply only to peoples who governed themselves before the present war, or does it include those under the domination of imperial countries by reason of having been defeated in previous wars?

(2) Will this charter work for the inclusion of Africans at the peace conference or conferences?

(3) Will the opinions of Africans be recognised under the terms of the Third Article "the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live"?

(4) Will Africans be allowed to participate in legislative councils?

(5) Does the fifth point "improved labour standards, economic adjustment and social security" include land rights, betterment of agriculture, industry, health services and training of Africans for these objectives?

(6) How far will racial attitudes towards peoples who are not of European descent undergo a new orientation in the direction of the elimination of racial discrimination?

If these questions cannot be satisfactorily answered by the authors of the charter and other national leaders who profess to follow the lead of the British Prime Minister and the President of the United States, then the charter is an empty shell so far as Africans are concerned.

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