(KENNEDY, ROBERT F.) Oliver, W.J. Letter concerning Robert F. Kennedy's trip to South Africa. Typed Letter Signed to Mrs. A.M. Silverberg, one page, 13 x 8 inches; minor wear. Pretoria, 8 June 1966
Senator Robert F. Kennedy, preparing to run for president, visited South Africa in June of 1966. Speaking at the University of Cape Town on June 6, he delivered his famous "Ripple of Hope" speech, urging the students to "sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance" during the darkest days of apartheid. This letter was written by the private secretary of South African president H.F. Verwoerd, generally regarded as the architect of apartheid. It offers Verwoerd''s explanation of why Kennedy had been denied official recognition for the visit, and explains that Kennedy has been permitted to enter the country only to avoid creating "the image of a martyr." The letter implies that any "liberalist" events will only draw increased reprisals, and hopes Kennedy will have the sense to "avoid very wrong contacts and incidents." Both Kennedy and Verwoerd would soon be assassinated.
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