SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
March 2018 edition
It has been our experience, both in the UK and the South African contexts, that if you are serious about political influence and power then you should not waste your time by supporting fringe political parties, but rather to concentrate upon joining and exerting influence within one of the established mainstream parties.
In both contexts there has of course been a near exception to this rule. In South Africa during the era of civilised rule, the Conservative Party of SA almost, almost, managed to win power through the first-past-the-post system. The reason for this was however because the treacherous National Party government was clearly so hell-bent upon selling-out the country and surrendering it to its enemies that none but the most myopic and/or ignorant could possibly countenance such a betrayal of the nation. The fact that even under such extreme circumstances the CP of SA was still unable to seize power from the traitors therefore only ultra-emphasises this basic observation.
In the UK context, furthermore, over recent years UKIP seems to have disproved this rule – but it must be remembered that this was only because they were able to make an electoral breakthrough because of the bizarre proportional representation electoral system which applied to Euro Elections. The pro-EU forces of course “shot themselves in the foot” by imposing this alien electoral system upon the UK, for once UKIP started to win seats in the European Parliament as a result of this system they gained significant name-recognition and thereby helped considerably to advance the EuroSceptic cause, which of course resulted in the glorious Brexit Referendum victory of 2016. It should be noted, however, that in spite of this increased name-recognition and surfeit of seats won at Euro Elections UKIP has only ever once managed to win a seat at a Westminster General Election.
The main problem always confronting any fringe party is that they struggle to become a “broad church”, and thus they advocate a very narrow set of policies which can never gain any widescale electoral support. For all its success UKIP has always failed to overcome this problem, and so has failed to break out of the fringes and into the mainstream. Its leaders have also alas tended to be “prima donnas”, and if other leading members failed to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s” in precisely the same way as the leader then they soon tended to be “out on their ear”. As a result UKIP has recently faced a succession of leadership elections, with one “prima donna” being pitted against another “prima donna”. At their last leadership election the party seemed to find an ideal unity candidate in Henry Bolton however, but alas after only a few months the two factions who he defeated in the latest leadership election “ganged up” against him to force him out, citing only his private personal life as their reason. The eventual outcome of all these recent wranglings has been that there have now been no less than four breakaway parties established by former leading UKIP members – each one of course an even “narrower church” than UKIP itself, and thereby even less likely to attract any meaningful electoral support.
The more radical wing to the Right of the British political spectrum has thus become a very crowded place – especially when it is remembered that there has for long been another party occupying this same area, a party called Britain First which has recently been obtaining significantly increased support. There have been a number of pronouncements made by Britain First which we do not find ourselves in agreement with, and indeed we know of several colleagues who are firmly opposed to them – but recently a most disturbing development has occurred concerning this party, as both their leader, Paul Golding, and Deputy Leader, Jayda Fransen, were arrested and charged with the Orwellian-sounding “offence” of “religiously aggravated harassment”, merely for distributing leaflets and posting on-line videos drawing attention to the detrimental effect which Muslim immigrants were having on British society. It should further be born in mind in this regard that a short while ago two of the videos in question were re-tweeted by none less than the President of the United States! Most shockingly and astonishingly at the resulting trial of Mr.Golding and Ms.Fransen the judge, Justin Barron, found them guilty and sentenced them to a draconian 18 weeks and 36 weeks in jail respectively! One wonders who this judge Justin Barron think he is, seemingly regarding himself as more knowledgeable about the Islamic problem than the President of the United States?
We know that there are many who will shy away from supporting the Britain First two because they regard the party as “too extreme” – but there is something far more important than their policies and pronouncements involved here. It is a matter of free speech. Britain, after all, is the land of the Magna Carta. If Britain First had advocated murder or insurrection then the authorities would have had a valid reason to curtail their free speech – but they didn’t. We therefore ask everyone to consider the words of Pastor Martin Niemoller in response to the equally draconian actions of the Nazi regime in Germany :-
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
In speaking out against the diabolical sentences handed out to the Britain First two we therefore do NOT imply that we support all their policies and pronouncements. In speaking out we simply assert our fundamental support for the rights of free speech.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
Last month the Springbok Club staged a visit to the National Army Museum in Chelsea. This proved to be a most enjoyable and informative trip, and in spite of the fact that there seemed to be a few too many concessions to liberal pacifism is some of the exhibits, it even so expertly illustrated the power, prestige and professionalism of the British Army over the centuries, particularly during the glorious age of Imperial expansion. After this visit the Springbok Club party adjourned to a near-by hostelry for a most convivial and uplifting end to the day’s activities.
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Unfortunately the Springbok Club’s planned March meeting featuring a visiting South African guest speaker has had to be postponed because the guest speaker in question will not be visiting the UK during this month as anticipated, but the organisation still plans to celebrate van Riebeeck Day with a special event in April. In May, however, the organization will be staging a trip to the annual Sweeps Festival in Rochester, and in June/July will be welcoming a visiting Australian guest speaker who has strong Rhodesian and South African connections. Later during the year the Springbok Club will be staging another trip to Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, and will also be involved with the annual “Raising of the Flag” ceremony. More details about all these activities will be included in future editions of the SCN.
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PATRIOTIC FORUM NEWS
Last month the Patriotic Forum celebrated New Zealand Day by staging a trip to St.Paul's Cathedral in London in order to pay their respects at the grave of Sir George Grey KCB, who served twice as Governor of New Zealand and subsequently became the 11th Prime Minister of New Zealand. This trip proved even more fascinating when it was discovered that Sir George Grey’s grave lay next to that of the great South African administrator, Sir Bartle Frere in the Cathedral! After this visit the Patriotic Forum party adjourned to a hostelry near to St.Paul’s where Mr.Gary Vincent presented another of his excellent PowerPoint displays, this one about the life and career of Sir George Grey.
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The Patriotic Forum will be staging a meeting in conjunction with the EuroSceptic EU Today on-line magazine (www.eutoday.net) later this month, the details of which are as follows :-
Date : Thursday 22nd March 2018
Time : 18.45 hrs for 19.00 hrs.
Venue : The ARMY & NAVY CLUB (the Wellington Room), 36 – 39 Pall Mall, St.James’s, London SW1Y 5JN, (Entry can also be made via St.James’s Square. Nearest tube station: Green Park)
[As this is a private members’ club all attendees should initially report to reception. There is also a strict dress code: Jackets and ties must be worn by gentlemen, and all must be smartly attired – i.e. no jeans or trainers.]
Guest Speaker : Mr. JOHN PETLEY B.A. (Oxon), Dip.Theol.
John Petley was born at Redhill in Surrey and was educated at Dorking County Grammar School for two years, from where he won a Surrey County Council-sponsored scholarship to Charterhouse School, Godalming, and then went on to study music at St.Catherine’s College, Oxford. He worked as a researcher at the European Parliament in Brussels from 2006 to 2008 and then spent three years as editor of Freedom Today, the quarterly magazine of The Freedom Association. He currently works as Operations Manager for the Campaign for an Independent Britain. He is the author of several books, including "Top 10 Reasons to Leave the EU". He represented his school at Cross-Country running and once walked from John O’Groats to Lands End. His current hobbies include classical music (including composition, and playing the organ and piano), railways, photography, gardening, country walks and keeping guinea pigs. An Evangelical Christian by persuasion, he is married to Katherine and lives in a village near Heathfield, East Sussex.
When John addressed the Swinton Circle (the predecessor of the Patriotic Forum) in 2015 he spoke about the chances of Britain leaving the EU, and accurately predicted that with hard work and determination a Brexit Referendum could be won. In this follow-up talk to be entitled "The rocky road to Brexit" he will give a summary of the Brexit negotiations to date and likely future developments in the year before we leave.
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In early April the Patriotic Forum will be holding a special event in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the RAF, and in May will be staging a special meeting in order to celebrate Empire Day and Bermuda Day. Further details about both these events will of course be detailed in next month’s edition of the SCN..
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THE IMPERIAL PATRIOT
The first edition of The Imperial Patriot, the successor publication to S.A.Patriot-in-Exile, has now been published, and copies have been distributed to all current UK subscribers - and once further necessary funds have been raised will be posted to all overseas subscribers also If you are currently a subscriber and have not received your copy yet then please let us know - or if you would like to take out a subscription (or to place a bulk-order for re-distribution) then please e-mail: springbk@netcomuk.co.uk and we will inform you of the payment details.
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HELP REQUIRED FOLLOWING DRACONIAN ACTION BY HACKNEY COUNCIL
We have recently received a most disturbing message concerning a draconian action taken by the London Borough of Hackney Council which prevents a lady suffering from PTSD continuing to look after her disabled cats. We hope that readers will be prepared to sign the petition of protest to be sent to Hackney Council on this issue. The message in question reads as follows :-
“Josie has PTSD and has therapy cats to help her get by. Many of the cats she has adopted are blind and one is deaf. Because of the cats' disabilities, they wouldn't be safe going outside alone, so Josie has an outdoor enclosure for them to play in, which is called a ‘catio’.
“One neighbour complained, and now Hackney Council is threatening to force Josie to tear down the ‘catio’ or seek planning permission - but that's a false choice. In an email, the Council already told her she won't get planning permission accepted for the ‘catio’ even if she does apply for it.
“Without the ‘catio’ the cats won't be able to go outside and experience the fresh air that other cats enjoy. The ‘catio’ is simply batons of wood with chicken wire. It has no foundations or plumbing and can be moved from place to place. As such, it shouldn't require any planning permission.
“Please sign the petition at: https://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AY6_g/zTpQ/AmvRJ and show Hackney Council that as a nation of animal lovers we will not tolerate this bureaucratic behaviour towards someone who hasn't broken any laws, and only wants the best for her animals.”
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2018 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games held at Pyeongchang in the Republic of Korea proved a very successful and well run event – particularly as it was held in a third world country. We now of course look forward to the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games to be held at the same location. There were many outstanding performances at this Olympiad, but we will concentrate upon the results obtained by the main Commonwealth countries.
For the Great Britain and NI team the results were very pleasing (winning one Gold Medal and four Bronzes), albeit that the performances by the two Curling teams were most disappointing. It was in the Skeleton competitions where Britain’s best results were obtained of course, and Lizzie Yarnold undoubtedly deserves special congratulations upon becoming the first British competitor ever to defend a Gold Medal at the Winter Olympic Games. Australia managed to win three medals (2 Silver and one Bronze) and New Zealand gained two Bronze medals – that country’s fist Winter Olympic medals since 1992! For counties with climates not really suited to Winter Sports these were most certainly outstanding results.
But what of the “new” South Africa? After sending zero competitors to the previous Winter Olympics at Sochi in 2014, the “new” South Africa made a massive improvement in 2018 by sending – eh – one competitor. Wow! This competitor was named Connor Wilson, who although White proudly carried the bloodstained flag of the ANC regime at the opening and closing ceremonies. So how did Mr.Wilson perform? He competed in both the Man’s Slalom and the Men’s Giant-Slalom, but didn’t finish either event. So much for the improvement of sporting excellence in the “new” South Africa, which so many idiots gave as their reason for voting “Yes” at the 1992 sell-out referendum.
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TAU (SA) MEDIA RELEASE
We have recently received a copy of the following most interesting Media Release from the Transvaal Agricultural Union (South Africa) :-
“The TAU SA President, Mr Louis Meintjes, has directed letters to the High Commission of the United Kingdom as well as the German Embassy regarding their countries’ offer of financial aid to Zimbabwe in order to rejuvenate the economy. ‘When done properly, it will energise the Zimbabwe economy and will in all probability help to promote agriculture’, according to Mr Meintjes.
“TAU SA does not want to prescribe to countries as to how initiatives should be implemented, but took the liberty to request that proper arrangements and monitoring be put in place to prevent well-intended support ending up in the pockets of politicians.
“’Zimbabwe was once a highly productive agricultural producer and it could contribute considerably to help stabilising Southern Africa should the principle of private ownership and a free market be allowed to flourish’, Mr Meintjes said. The proposed support is appreciated and the two countries were thanked for the assistance. It is trusted that the economy will supersede political short-sightedness.”
The Transvaal Agricultural Union (South Africa) web-site can be accessed at: www.tlu.co.za
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LATEST BERMUDAN NEWS
During early February the Bermudan Parliament voted to repeal the law allowing so-called same-sex “marriages”. This of course was a victory for common-sense and morality, and something which must be applauded by all decent people around the globe. It is believed furthermore that this is the first example anywhere in the world of the obscene parody of true marriage, after first having being legalised, then being unrecognised, and is thus a development which we hope will soon be repeated elsewhere throughout the West. Bermuda has therefore led the world, and the Bermudan government and people must be praised and congratulated for this brave move.
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SEARCH SERVICES FOR THOSE SEEKING LOST RELATIVES
Find any South African, even those who have emigrated. We also search Botswana, Namibia and ex-Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.
Please use the search request form at :-
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/emails.php?id=emails_from_SCN
Also check the list of South African expatriates/emigrants web-sites, which can be found at :-
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/expatriates/toplist_expatriates.php?id=toplist_expatriates_from_
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BILTONG AND BOEREWORS
Springers Biltong offers a marvellous range of biltong, boerewors and drywors – all of the very highest quality, reasonably priced, and fully registered and licensed with their local authority Their web-site can be accessed at :-
http://www.springersbiltong.com/index.html
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BOOK OFFERS
"LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALFRED JAMES TOMLINSON: MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN PIONEER AND BSAP OFFICER" is now available at Amazon.com, and can be shipped to anywhere in the world. This book contains excerpts from Lieut. Tomlinson's writings detailing his experiences as a member of the BSAP in Southern Rhodesia, where he rose from the rank of an ordinary trooper to retire as the commanding officer. It also includes the personal story of Majaqaba Ncube, a man who was enslaved by Lobengula when his entire village was massacred by the chief's soldiers. After he escaped, Lieut. Tomlinson saved him from certain death and gave him a job. They lost contact and were reunited after 45 years, when Majaqaba presented Lieut. Tomlinson with an earthenware jar.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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ZIMBABWE’S STOLEN PROPERTY
Zimbabwe’s Stolen Property is a poignant novel by Cliff McIlwaine. This is a dark, painfully sombre book which will bring back dreadful memories to any one associated with Zimbabwe – Black or White – and its bitter past.
Further details are available on the Diadem Books web site which can be accessed at: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
The latest book published by Crest Publishing is entitled: “BOWLS - QUIRKS, CHIRPS AND ANECDOTES". This is not an instruction manual but rather a cheerful, humourous and sometimes controversial chronicle about the game and its history worldwide. Written to celebrate 40 years in the sport by the author, Glenn MacAskill, it should be of interest to all bowlers and other sports enthusiasts.
For more information about all books published, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 4178, Honeydew, Johannesburg, 2040, South Africa, e-mail: glennallanmacaskill@gmail.com, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za. Special discounts are available to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!
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"THE SAINTS" – a unique documentary in support of the book on the brief history of the RLI.
DVD available along with other premium titles of historical interest from Msasa Enterprises. Visit www.rhodesianvideos.co.za or write to msasasa@mweb.co.za for more information. UK contact telephone: 07415 753 340.
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‘75 PROUD YEARS: PIONEERS AND PROGRESS OF RHODESIA’
With an introduction by Ian Smith, this book covers the history of Rhodesia from 1890 to 1965 in some detail and surveys the enormous progress made in agriculture, commerce, industry and social development of benefit to both White and Black Rhodesians.
With 124 pages, this A4-size soft-cover book is a facsimile copy of the original with contemporary advertisements and would be an invaluable addition to any collection of Rhodesiana .
The book costs £12.50 and p&p is £2.90 (with a 10% discount to former customers) .
To order a copy please contact John Ormowe at :flybuy416@googlemail.com .
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.232 – Mr. HARRY GEORGE of Durban.
Harry George was a professional soccer player (as is believed was his father before him) being a goalkeeper on the books of Coventry City FC. He moved to South Africa towards the end of his career however, and played for both Durban City and Durban United in the NFL during the 1970s. He married into the renown Letard family (see item on Colleen Letard in the September 2005 SCN) who were very prominent in the Natal Table Tennis scene, and proved himself an outstanding player at this sport also. He lived in the Woodhaven district of Durban, and once his playing career was over became a professional dental technician, and gained a very high reputation in this field. A most friendly person always eager to help others, it would be most interesting to learn where he is now.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
During the Patriotic Forum’s recent visit to St.Paul’s Cathedral to pay respects at the grave of Sir George Grey KCB, the subject of the superb NZBC drama series about this great man from the late 1970s came up. This series, entitled “The Governor”, was also screened by SABC at the time, where it gained a huge following - which was not surprising as Sir George Grey also served as the Governor of the Cape Colony for a while, and several places in South Africa still bear his name. This drama series has now been placed on-line, and the first episode (from which subsequent episodes can be accessed) can be viewed at :-
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-governor-episode1-1977
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
GOOD OLD SMITHY!
Sir,
Circa 1980, Ian Smith spoke at our school. He made such a good impression (confident, honest, no bullsh1t) on me that I remember it till today.
Yours etc.,
H.K.H., Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa.
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CORRECTION
Sir,
An appeal to everyone – stop using the phrase “politically correct” or “politically incorrect”, as in, "I know I am not being politicallycorrect" or "I am a politically incorrect person" - it sounds as if you are saying "Those people are correct, I just want the right to be incorrect" or " I know I am wrong, I just want he right to voice a wrong opinion" . Instead of calling yourself "politically incorrect” call your self "progressive" or "forward thinking" or some word like that , as in "I am one of those progressive people who believe immigration should be cut back " or "I am one of those progressive people who voted "no" or "I am one of those forward thinking people who is against a republic" or "I am one of those progressive people who believe Islam is a dangerous religion".
Yours etc.,
Bob Vinnicombe, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
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FRIEND OF THE SPRINGBOKS
Sir,
I was involved with the ex-Rhodesians and those White refugees from South Africa who made their home in Tasmania, bringing skills and blending in, without the need to have them go on benefits and housing. A number has since died. South Africa actually sold Rhodesia out hoping the (so-called) "international community" (whatever that is) would have seen it as a gesture and approve. Both communities could have survived, but like our own leaders here and in Britain and Europe we have been sold out to the internationalists.
Yours etc.,
Reg A.Watson, Lindisfarne, Tasmania, Australia..
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OBITUARIES
MICHAEL BRUFAL de MELGAREJO – the 11th Marques de Lendinez
It was with extreme sadness that we recently learnt of the death of Michael Brufal de Melgarejo, the 11th Marques de Lendinez and the hereditary Grand Inquisitor of Cordoba.
Mike Brufal, as we always knew him, was born on Trafalgar Day 1937, the scion a prominent Spanish noble family who had settled in Gibraltar during the 1890s. Despite his Spanish aristocratic background, his family’s long-standing association with Gibraltar and having a Canadian mother made him a proud Gibraltarian and a staunch British Imperial patriot. After reading law and economics at Cambridge he joined the British Army, serving in first the Royal Sussex Regiment and then the Jamaica Regiment. Shortly after leaving the Army he took up journalism, writing for both the Gibraltar Chronicle and the Gibraltar Magazine. His comments about the Franco regime in Spain were so forthright that he was for a while banned from entering Spain. He subsequently moved to Hampshire and started working for first the Times and then the Observer, inter alia becoming a boxing correspondent for the Observer, before turning freelance and establishing his own press-cuttings service. He became renowned for writing letters to the quality press using his full Spanish title but fiercely defending the sovereignty and rights of Gibraltar in the face of Spanish provocation. Perhaps his greatest achievement, however, was to found and administer the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society (later renamed simply the Friends of Gibraltar) which became highly influential and galvanized support for Gibraltar’s cause throughout the UK.
Mike Brufal also became a good supporter of our movement, addressing meetings staged by both the Springbok Club and the Swinton Circle (the predecessor of today’s Patriotic Forum), where his speeches always proved riveting and were positively received. During a Springbok Club trip to Gibraltar in 2005 he arranged for the party to join up with a party from the Friends of Gibraltar who were visiting the Rock at the same time in order to take part in a conducted tour of the Convent (the Governor’s residence) and its chapel next door, where the organisation was accorded a special privileged welcome!
We regard it as a great honour to have known Mike Brufal and to have regarded him as a friend. Our sincerest condolences are therefore extended to his widow Brenda, his daughter Tabitha (who inherits his titles) and to his son.
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ANTHONY LEJEUNE
It was with much sadness that we learnt of the recent death of Anthony Lejeune. Born as Edward Anthony Thompson in 1928 at Pinner in Middlesex, Anthony Lejeune subsequently decided to adopt his mother’s maiden surname. Brought up in a family who were prominent in the British film industry during the inter-World War years, he himself turned to journalism, broadcasting and novel-writing, where he soon gained a glowing reputation and proved to be a very rounded character – almost a renaissance man in fact
Erudite, articulate and with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of English literature and other wide-ranging subjects, his face became a regular sight on the more intellectual programmes on British television throughout the 1960s and 70s. A true conservative in every sense of the word, he was a habitué of several of the more elite London clubs, with his magnum opus, The Gentleman’s Clubs of London, being regarded as the definitive work on these institutions.
Perhaps Anthony Lejeune’s most important contribution to global broadcasting excellence was his regular weekly London Letter (based upon Alistair Cooke’s Letter from America) radio broadcast for SABC, which became required listening for all patriotic English-speaking South Africans. This broadcast won Anthony Lejeune a top South African broadcasting award, and his brilliant short but dramatic acceptance speech won praise from throughout the South African media. It should be remembered in this regard that to have any dealings with South Africa at this time met with severe disapproval – and even sanctions – from all British media trade unions. Anthony Lejeune was therefore a very brave man, as the only other prominent British broadcaster to have the courage to defy the tyrannical trade unions by broadcasting for SABC was Sir Patrick Moore, the astronomer – a person incidentally who Anthony Lejeune admired greatly.
Anthony Lejeune was a great but alas mainly overlooked British patriot and hero of the latter half of the twentieth century. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family.
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