LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

The most authoritative book on South Africa’s 20th century history will be distributed throughout the world this year. But 52 pages in the South African edition will be blank. The book is an Oxford University Press publication, the “Oxford History of South Africa”, edited by Leonard Thompson and Monica Wilson. The censored chapter, which has caused moral and legal arguments, is about the development of Black nationalism. It was written by Professor Leo Kuper, formerly of the University of Natal and now living in England. Oxford University Press eliminated Professor Kuper’s chapter from the South African edition because it contains comments by banned people. — October 11 1970

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

After the political miracle, the economic transformation? The past weeks have provided evidence the economy is in its healthiest state since the gold boom of the 80s. But the question is whether the upswing can be sustained without slipping back into a cyclical depression. More importantly — is the recovery strong enough to spread its benefits to the 40 percent of jobless South Africans? Early indications suggest so. The recovery is supported by strong business confidence, a fairly firm political environment, the return of foreign investors and record low inflation rates. The International Monetary Fund this week predicted growth rates of three percent for this year and next. — October 8 1995