Plaatje's most important and well-known writings were in English. This chapter consists of excerpts gleaned from his writings and addresses.

WRITINGS:

From Koranta ea Becoana 25 Oct 1902: Whiteman's Country

The London Times quite recently gave vent to the sensational sentiment that the Rand Mine Managers were on the way to transforming South Africa into a Whiteman's country. We have heard much about what these Mine Managers could do, but have seen a good deal of what they attempted, but have failed to carry out, and it is a pity that the Thunderer did not proceed to inform its readers just how they intend to dispose of the millions of aboriginal blacks who populate this subcontinent.

The South African Press with few exceptions, maintained a mysterious silence on the Times’ strange announcement from which we cannot but infer a mental approbation on their part, but the South African Spectator dismissed the subject in a few words as follows:

However applicable to the United States of America with its nine million Negroes in a total population of seventy five, no such calamity threatens Africa. The black man is in Africa to stay and he will remain to the end of time – a distinct type of the great human family, maintaining intact and inviolable his race variety, in spite of occasional lapses, and it is well that it should be so. And the educators of black humanity will do well to keep this fact in view and not attempt to make impossible white men out of good black men and thereby waste excellent material.

From Koranta ea Becoana: November 1902: African Native Convention

This convention which sat at Queenstown last month was fully representative of the African Colonial element. Unlike some European assemblies of its kind the deliberations, however enthusiastic, were devoid of that vituperative race sentiment which has characterised and discredited the average South African political chamber.

People are prone to overlook the fact that Native assemblies could drink just as deeply from the cup of race antipathy as those of the other race, and when they avoid it their moderation is highly commendable. We therefore hasten to congratulate the African Native Convention and to characterise it as a model gathering for your Leagues and Bonds and the thousand and one other nondescripts who meet round every nook and corner of South Africa.