23 APRIL 1994, Page 27

Addressing the issues

Sir: Andrew Roberts's Eminent Churchillians (Winston replied that he didn't like blackamoors', 9 April) contains at least one glaring inaccuracy. Winston Churchill would not have addressed Dr Malan as 'My dear President', as South Africa did not have a president until 1961. Dr Malan was prime minister at the time when Mr Churchill reportedly sent his tele- gram. The attempt at Afrikaans, if reported correctly, means nothing. Perhaps Mr Churchill intended to say, ',Vies sal reg km', which means, 'Everything will be all right.'

Duke Kent-Brown

South African Embassy, Trafalgar Square, London WC2