Hills gains the trust of “Slim Piet”

Part 43 in our series on William Hills

As a newly appointed special war correspondent, William Hills was summoned to the South African Republic’s War Office to see the commandant general of the Transvaal forces, General Piet “Slim Piet” Joubert.

“I had often seen him before, but he had never used anything but Afrikaans and I considered that he probably regarded me with the other reporters as one of the trials of public life to be borne as patiently as may be.”

Hills was expected and was ushered straight to Joubert’s private office, the Benoni City Times founder wrote in a series of stories about his long career.
At this stage of his career, Joubert looked like many other prosperous farmers, wrote Hills.

“He had a fine forehead with hair brushed well back, a full beard turning grey and a darker moustache. His eyes were deep-set under bushy eyebrows and his nose was of generous proportions in keeping with his face.

“A man of deep convictions, his actions were governed by the teachings of ‘The Book’, which ruled his life.”
To Hills’s surprise, without beating about the bush, Joubert addressed him in English.

He said: “We are trusting you to go with the burghers to tell the people what is going to happen in the war. You will be allowed to see everything, but there is one thing I must tell you: I only want you to report the truth and no more than the truth. If you do that, you will not get in any trouble.
“I do not want any praises of myself or my burghers – war is not for that. I trust you.”
With that, Joubert dismissed Hills and turned back to his work.

“Here I might perhaps say that the general’s promise was fulfilled to the letter and my dispatches throughout the campaign passed the censorship practically without alteration.

“I do not think there is anything in my life of which I feel prouder as a journalist – may I be pardoned for introducing the personal note – than to be chosen out of so many by Joubert and his advisers as the only English war correspondent.

“It was proof of their faith that I would honourably carry out the duties to their satisfaction and that of the reading public.
Joubert obtained the nickname Slim Piet (Clever Piet) early on in his career because of his cautious nature.
(Article: Carol Stier).Next time: The Journey to Magatoland

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