Sir William Walkley, the founder of Ampol, expressed controversial views on apartheid in 1958 during a tour of South Africa and Rhodesia. He criticized South Africa for failing to attract white migrants, describing it as “race suicide.” Walkley warned of a potential bloodbath if a communist leader with white intelligence emerged. His report, now housed in the New South Wales state library, highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of investing in South Africa, without explicitly mentioning apartheid.
Walkley, known for his influence in Australia’s media landscape, faced backlash for his racist views expressed in a 1961 editorial. The Walkley Foundation severed ties with Ampol due to fossil fuel controversies after a boycott campaign. Walkley’s views on apartheid reflected a racial hierarchy, with a fixation on white migration and foreseeing violence in South Africa. Despite acknowledging the repression of black people, he prioritized financial considerations over moral judgment.
His assessment of South Africa concluded that it did not offer a significant financial return for Ampol. Walkley emphasized the need for unity and mature governance in the country for it to realize its potential. His complex views on race and migration shed light on a man whose legacy remains intertwined with controversial perspectives.