Wikipedia:Peer review/P. K. van der Byl/archive1

P. K. van der Byl[edit]

A recent failed Featured Article candidate, possibly because it was nominated too soon, this biography of Rhodesia's Foreign Minister under UDI is now extensively referenced. Comments at the FAC nomination suggested the writing could be improved generally but failed to suggest any way in which this could be done. I would also like to know if more could be made of the fact that after 1976, subject enjoyed very little actual power in Rhodesia (this is hinted at in the article but no source stated so explicitly). David | Talk 17:06, 9 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Repeated use of UDI sounds rather awkward. If I'm reading the article correctly, it's simply an abbreviation for unilateral declaration of independence. Perhaps you could substitute in a similar word or phrase as appropriate. For instance, independence, independent, or the declaration. "Shortly after UDI..." could become "Shortly after declaring independence..." --NormanEinstein 18:02, 10 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

UDI is most definitely NOT the same as Independence, and the text should not be changed. As a British colony (albeit self-governing since 1923), only Britain could legally grant Southern Rhodesia independence, and successive British Governments refused to do this unless and until majority rule was guaranteed. Since the white minority Government of Smith refused to agree to Britain's terms, Smith declared "independence" unilaterally and illegally on 11 November 1965. The Lancaster House agreement of 1979 restored Britain as the colonial power de facto, in addition to de jure, with an electoral process aimed at achieving majority rule. The nation received its Independence only on 18 April 1980. Peter McBurney, 2006-06-13.