Tour of South Africa | Rt Hon Macmillan

In this historic speech, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan spoke of the 'wind of change' blowing through Africa and the right of black majority populations to rule themselves. He explicitly criticised the system of apartheid. In a frosty response, South African Prime Minister Dr Hendrik Verwoerd outlines why he disagrees with Macmillan.

The 'wind of change' speech is a historical landmark. Macmillan was aware of the speech's significance and was so nervous that he was violently sick before he delivered it. He had been criticised by opponents of apartheid for agreeing to visit South Africa, but arguably this speech countered such criticism.