Hendrik Verwoerd

“The British have fought to death for the requisites of their existence. Can't you understand that we are doing it also?”

“Translated from Afrikaans: In die lig van die menings wat namens die ander lederegerings insake die rassebeleid van die Unieregering uitgespreek is, en die aanduidings van hul toekomsplanne teenoor die rassebeleid van die Unieregering, is besluit om Suid-Afrika se aansoek om lid van die Statebond te bly wanneer die land op 31 Mei 'n Republiek word terug te trek. ...hierdie betreurenswaardige stap dui die begin van die disintegrasie van die Statebond aan.”

“In light of the opinions expressed on behalf of the other member governments regarding the racial policies of the Union Government, and the indications of their future plans against the racial policies of the Union Government, it was decided to retract South Africa's application for Commonwealth membership when the country becomes a Republic on May 31st. ... this regrettable step marks the beginning of the disintegration of the Commonwealth.”

“Translated from Afrikaans: Brittanje moet nou ons hand van vriendskap neem of dit verwerp. Ek glo nie dat dit verwerp sal word nie.”

“Britain must now take our hand of friendship or reject it. I do not believe it will be rejected.”

“Translated from Afrikaans: Ons gaan na Brittanje as vriende en ek vertrou dat Suid-Afrika ook as vriend beskou en aanvaar sal word deur dié land en deur die denkende en meer verantwoordelike deel van die Britse publiek.”

“We are going to Britain as friends, and I trust that South Africa will also be seen and accepted as a friend by that country and by the thinking and more responsible segment of the British public.”

“Translated from Afrikaans: Vir die wat gehuiwer het om hierdie bladsy in die geskiedenis om te slaan, sal dit moeiliker wees as vir diegene wat dit gretig gedoen het. … Ek het ook geen illusies omtrent die moeilikhede wat voorlê nie. Die hemel sal nie skielik vir ons op die aarde neerdaal of met betrekking tot ons persoonlike verhoudings, of tot die oplossing van ons rasseprobleme, of tot die ontwikkeling op ekonomiese gebied nie. Maar ek is daarvan oortuig dat 'n grootse toekoms wag. … Daar sal 'n uitdaging wees in byna elke taak wat ons onderneem, elke vraagstuk waarvoor ons te staan kom.”

“For those who hesitated to turn this page in history, it will be more difficult than for them who eagerly did so. … I also have no illusions about the difficulties that lie ahead. Heaven will not suddenly descend to us on earth – neither with regard to our personal relationships, nor where we tackle our racial problems, or where we develop our economy. But I am convinced that a great future awaits. … There will be a challenge in almost every task we undertake, every issue we face.”

“First part translated from Afrikaans: Geagte vriend(in), Die tyd is nou naby dat ons almal by die volksstemming moet help beslis wat in die onmiddellike toekoms van ons land en volk moet word. In 'n Republiek sal ons saam ons aandag voluit kan gee aan wat so lewensbelangrik is. Dit is om 'n veilige toekoms te skep vir die blankes, gepaard met regverdigheid ook teenoor die nie-blankes. Verder is nodig die uitbou van voorspoed vir almal.”

“Translated from Afrikaans: Aan die vooraand van die Republiek vra teenstanders nou dat ons, die regering, sy kleurbeleid moet wysig sodat hulle meer geld kan maak. ... Sekere mense dink ons het hulle nodig en hou 'n pistool voor ons kop en vra prysgewing van sekere dele van ons kleurbeleid. Ons is nie te koop nie. Ons kleurbeleid is nie te koop nie.”

“On the eve of the Republic, opponents are now demanding that we, the government, change its colour policy so that they can make more money. ... Some people think we need them and keep a pistol to our head and ask for the forfeiting of certain aspects of our colour policy. We are not for sale. Our colour policy is not for sale.”

“We shall not act unfairly in any way. We shall not allow our understanding to let us down. For a leader who has to take care of a volk/people, cannot govern, driven by emotions or vengefulness. It is our task in these heavy times, while the heart often wants to speak, to let understanding dominate; understanding and faith. Carried by faith in God, the government will not be able to govern unfairly. Faith and understanding does not, however, say that we have to act timidly when greater evils may follow. Power is sometimes the best means to get peace.”

“The black masses of South Africa – and I know Bantu in all parts of South Africa – are orderly and peace-loving. They are loyal to the government and administration of the country … The groups of people seeking their own gain are small and they make use of mass psychology at mass gatherings, and by threats and other means are sometimes the cause of trouble … We do not intend to be perturbed by what is said and done in the outside world in all ignorance.”

“Translated from Afrikaans: Ons sal ons nie laat doodmaak nie, ons sal geeneen se slagoffer word nie; ons sal veg vir ons bestaan en ons sal bly lewe! ... Suid-Afrika se toekoms is vandag groter as sy verlede. Die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika toon een krisis na die ander, maar uit elke krisis is 'n groter triomf gebore.”

“We won't allow anyone to kill us, we won't fall prey to anyone; we shall fight for our existence and we shall stay alive! ... South Africa's future is greater today than its past. The history of South Africa is characterised by crisis upon crisis, but from every crisis a greater triumph was born.”

“It was not the Republic of South Africa that was told, 'We are not going to support you in this respect.' Those words were addressed to the monarchy of South Africa, and yet we have the same monarch as this person from Britain who addressed these words to us. It was a warning given to all of us, English-speaking and Afrikaans-speaking, republican and anti-republican. It was clear to all of us that as far as these matters are concerned, we shall have to stand on our own feet.”

“This has indeed been the basis of our struggle all these years: nationalism against imperialism. This has been the struggle since 1910: a republic as opposed to the monarchical connection … We stand unequivocally and clearly for the establishment of the republic in the correct manner and at the appropriate time.”

“The curriculum (to a certain extent) and the practice of teaching, ignoring the policy of segregation or apartheid, could not offer preparation for service within the black community. By simply blindly producing pupils formed on a European mould, the vain expectation was created that they, in spite of the said national policy, would still be able to fill posts in the white community. This is that is meant by the unhealthy creation of white collar ideals and the causing of widespread frustration among the so-called learned natives.”

“Translated from Afrikaans: Genl. Smuts en sy aanhangers het sonder enige weifeling al hul veelgeroemde strewe na versoening en die skepping van een volk uit Afrikaans- en Engelssprekendes op die altaar van die Britse Ryk gelê. Helder staan dit uit dat hul strewe nie was om 'n waarlik Suid-Afrikaanse volk te laat ontstaan nie, maar 'n vertakking van die Engelse volk woonagtig in Suid-Afrika. Daarin moes die Afrikanerdom opgelos word. Hierdie oorlogskrisis was nodig om dit vir almal glashelder te stel.”