WALTER M. B. NHLAPO

Language and Matter in the African Press

by

Walter M. B. Nhlapho

Recently the Manchester Guardian, advertising itself in The Listener, under the caption How freely may a newspaper speak?” said “There is, as everyone knows, freedom of the Press. A newspaper must print what it likes. But to become ‘popular’ paper, a newspaper must print what its readers like.” This the Manchester Guardian has never deliberately done. It prefers to speak frankly. Not deflected by dreams of winning millions of readers, the Manchester Guardian goes on its way regardless. It respects its readers---as they respect it---but it does not woo them. Here then is a newspaper for those who do not need to be curtseyed or kotowed to. Here is a newspaper which puts thruthfulness before popularity. Here is a newspaper with a mind of its own---for those with a mind of their own. Your choice is simple. You may read a newspaper which is your humble servant. Or you may read one which is your intellectual equal. Which do “you prefer”. This is a great philosophy for a newspaper and a challenge between “popularity” and “intellectualism”; a great philosophy for readers to choose between “humble servant” and an “intellectual equal”. The general basis of that refreshing article and antidote “Journals, Language and Matter” by Busy-Bee [H. I. E. Dhlomo] in the Ilanga lase Natal, October 10, is on this philosophy.

Newspapers and magazines render the majority of Africans considerable service as reading material, for which Africans should pay tribute and gratitude. But do they represent a true specimen of African ideals, thought, talent and intellectualism? If so, might we not reasonably expect to find in these newspapers and magazines so well patronized with advertisements and so widely read, a spirit which would help to penetrate to the very depth of African thought: music, drama, poetry and politics. If the journals fail to express African thought and achievements, who will?

To deny vernacular a place in newspapers would be scarcely in harmony with the body and soul of Africa. The unlettered masses of Africa are the backbone of the nation. Some of their articles and letters to the press are landmarks of vernacular journalism and remarkably thought provoking. But while national newspapers could do well by sparing them a page or so, the articles should be educational and informative and enlightened reports on democracy, religion, education and things that matter. Newspapers should be intellectual forums.

There should be no dull and flippant matter.

Advertisements of western things should be permitted in vernacular, because the masses indulge in these things with the same gusto as do the lettered folk; they are a potential and great market. We cannot shun these people; we must drag them along with us; they feel the same agony in their blood; they are close to us as the skin is to the body; they are something from which there is no escape.

The African Press, in the words of Anton Tchekov, “have neither immediate nor remote aims and in our soul there is a great empty space.” This is from a literary viewpoint. Look at the many columns wasted with photos that are valueless. Look at the useless pictures of pinups girls that flourish. They are too many; they are shocking; they are scantily dressed. Womanhood, which, for some of us, has the elements of sanctity is here degraded. Do these and other meaningless photos enrich the mind? Do they bring glory to the nation? What do they accomplish for the higher life of the race?

The times we live in are tremendous. Christianity and democracy are in peril. Race relations are strained because some people think more with blood than brain. Think what all this means to us spiritually, economically and politically, and our papers seem to shun enlightening people on these things that matter much. These are realities not nightmares.

Papers and journals should heed the words of W. S. Landor that “it is something to have an influence on the fortunes of mankind; it is greater to have an influence on their intellects.” Our press is crazy about love and crime stories. They are offensive and cheap carbons. A press intending to uplift its readers cannot afford to be flippant. But this spirit is unmistakable.

It is the spirit to please, gain popularity, and of self-satisfaction. Despite this frivolity and triviality, these papers are profoundly convinced of their superiority.

Sports! Sports! Sports seem to be squeezing out everything intelligent, educational and informative from the press. Today, it is a great honour to be a sportsman than an intellectual or creative mind. If the press is to be at the sport of the sportsmen caprice, the life of a people cannot escape from being “sportive” nor fail to appreciate what constitutes greatness and immortality. Sports must have a but not be glorified and magnified above literature, research works and arts. There must be standards. There must be criteria. The tendency to go to the low level to please, be popular and to regard educative and informative articles as being above the African, is fatal to development, fatal to order. Papers must be a kind of university. This cannot be achieved by employing third grade journals.

Because of the inferior material in our press, people are not encouraged to read great thoughts and literature.

It is true that it takes a few minutes to read an African newspaper from cover to cover; it takes less than 30 minutes to read a magazine. Why? If you are not interested in crime, pin-up girls, Helens, sports, love stories, advertisements, there is little that is really worthwhile. Yet, for instance, John D. London with 18 pages in which there are photos, illustrations, drawings, advertisements, takes very long to read from cover to cover. Our papers and journals could just be as interesting if they encouraged educative and informative articles on politics, poetry, drama, music, religion, sports personalities.

The newspapers and magazines are a civilizing factor. Civilization can never be really safe without a bodyguard. Not only should a paper be a popular, intelligent or civilized mouthpiece, but be virtuous. The African press as a whole deserves a drastic and general and forthright overhaul if it will serve its cause.

From: Walter M. B. Nhlapho, Ilanga lase Natal, November 7, 1953.