The German politican Gedat (1903 – 1971) travelled through many African countries, just as he had done 15 years earlier. Gedat sees a good future for the African continent, but then it has to be based on christian principles. He hopes that more white people will settle in South Africa. He also sees an important stimulus in the Great Missionary Commission.

Concerning higher education he states that formal education is in West Africa on a higher level than in South Africa. He notices the negative influence of the colourbar in the South on job prospects. He stresses the responsibility the white people have for others on the continent.

On independence for African countries he has strong opinions. Whites should give up their privileges, but at the same time he fears the future of independence for colonies and churches. Both worldwars had a great impact on Africans, the same for overseas studies. In many field he sees Ghana as a frontrunner. He is very negative about rev. Scott who supported the Herrero in presentday Namibia. He often sees the lurking problem of communists. many of the whites that have good contact with Africans are seen in communist perspective.

The Belgian king Leopold II is seen by Gedat as a visionary man. The results of his vision are the many good things in Congo, for instance a local version of apartheid, better housing for mineworkers. There is a great need for whites to stay on in Africa, otherwise it would be the end of the development of Africans. Europe and Africa need one another. But this is done in a onesided way, as I see it: Europe needs very much all the resources in Africa and Africa needs the leadership of Europe. It is not a mutual relationship, but a relationship of master and servant. One cannot survive without the other, but the status of their relationship is very clear.

Throughout the book Gedat spends much attention to the situation South Africa. This a white man’s country and it should stay that way. The others in the country have the responsibility to help the whites. One of those whites in South Africa is the politician dr. Malan. He was the leader of the Nationalist Party (NP), with strict ideas about the colourbar and apartheid. Gedat himself is in preference of healthy divisions among the peoples of South Africa. He sees the Asians a a growing problem not just in South Africa, but in other countries as well. I wondered if Gedat has ever met a leader of the ANC when he was in South Africa.

The two greatest threats to Africa are, in the opinion of Gedat: Islam and communism. The answer to these threats and the hope for Africa is the christian faith. But at the same time I wondered what the effect of his christian faith was on his mindset? How was he influenced by Christ?

I noted down, while reading this book, as a way of trying to read the mind of the writer:
a bad white person is an exception.
a good black man is an exception.

Gustav – Adolf Gedat – Was wird aus diesem Afrika? Wiedersehen mit einem Kontinent nach 15 Jahren – Stutgart 1952