August 1967.
Footage of Dr. Hastings Banda of Malawi explaining his independent line of thinking on a range of political issues such as the Rhodesia problem, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Johnson administration's policy towards Black civil rights.
The interview took place at the Dorchester Hotel in London.
Transcript:
Banda: Its not that I want any allies, but want to face facts and I think facts are beginning to have their own effect now and many people, but of course, they won't admit it, not yet.
ITN: Now you of course have taken all through, very independent line in Africa. You stood up for the Israelis against the Arabs.
Banda: I did.
ITN: President Johnson against his critics on his black policy.
Banda: I did.
ITN: Do you think you are getting any converts to this independent line of thought at all.
ITN: I think so. But if I do not, I stick to it, I will still do that because I believe I am right and am doing the right thing. Nobody can convince me that it is the sensible thing and the honest thing to expect any British Government to send troops to Rhodesia. Troops of Englishmen, Scotsmen and Irishmen to go there and kill other Englishmen, Scotsmen and Irishmen. If I were in power in Africa, nobody would ask me to send soldiers to go and kill blacks to put blacks in power.
ITN: Can we turn to the Commonwealth now. Would you agree with President Kaunda who said today that the Commonwealth had pondered over the Rhodesian issue?
Banda: No, don't agree. Last year many of your newspapers, the "Manchester Guardian" for one, was telling all the world that the Commonwealth was crumbling, that certain countries were going to walk out, five of them, but not a single country. I said even from the beginning that anyone who said the Commonwealth was crumbling, just don't know what he was talking about. I for one, cannot be bluffed, you people can be bluffed.
ITN: So you think the Commonwealth is still influential in this South African conflict?
ITN: Very much so. I am not going to be bluffed by anyone. Even those who shout the loudest, they know deep down in their hearts, they don't mean it.
ITN: You don't like President Kaunda, blame the white leaders of the Commonwealth.
Banda: I am not naming anybody. I am just saying that the Commonwealth is not crumbling. That's all. And if you people want to be blocked it is your business, but I can't be bluffed myself.
ITN: Can you see a Commonwealth solution to Rhodesia?
Banda: The only solution that I can see myself is negitiation between two men.
ITN: That is Mr. Wilson...
Banda: ...and Mr. Smith.
NB.
Hastings Banda BBC Interview | "I Won't Tell You That" | June 1962
• Hastings Banda BBC Int...
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