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Canada must 'show some moral guts' against apartheid

Broadcast Date: Feb. 23, 1961

Canada must do whatever it can to create an economic crisis for South Africa's racist regime. That's the opinion of the Committee of Concern for South Africa, gathered at Toronto's Massey Hall on Feb. 23, 1961. Most eloquent among the speakers is author Pierre Berton. His fiery speech compares apartheid South Africa with Nazi Germany and challenges Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to lead a Commonwealth revolt against apartheid.

Canada must 'show some moral guts' against apartheid

• This broadcast took place a few weeks prior to the March 1961 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in London, England. Anti-apartheid activists hoped that event would be a turning point in the war against apartheid. South Africa was about to declare itself a republic after holding a whites-only referendum; it would lose its Commonwealth status and have to re-apply for admission. There was strong pressure for Commonwealth nations like Canada to prevent that readmission.

• As a member of the Committee of Concern of South Africa, Berton was an outspoken opponent of South Africa's policy. He appeared onstage at Toronto's Massey Hall as part of an anti-apartheid rally in 1960, which prompted the RCMP to keep a file on him. They suspected him of communist sympathies.

Canada must 'show some moral guts' against apartheid

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC Radio Special

Broadcast Date: Feb. 23, 1961

Guest(s):

Commentator: Pierre Berton

Duration: 15:38

Last updated:
July 7, 2009