Depictions of Travel in a Portuguese Diaspora Community Newspaper in South Africa

Abstract

The vast territorial expansion of Portugal during the colonial era resulted in a significant global diaspora network, with one such community situated in South Africa. Multiple waves of immigration from Portugal, its autonomous regions, and former African colonies have given rise to an established diasporic community in South Africa. Acting as a vital communication channel, the O Século de Joanesburgo newspaper played a crucial role in keeping the South African Portuguese diaspora informed about the broader Portuguese community both locally and abroad, thereby fostering connections between the community and their homeland. Throughout the years, the newspaper extensively featured travel-related content, employing various strategies to encourage travel to the homeland. This paper investigates how travel was depicted and promoted to the South African Portuguese diaspora through the newspaper. Using archival material from the newspaper, significant themes can be identified related to travel within the community. These encompass journeys to the homeland, encouragement for seaside property investments in Portugal, and indications of domestic tourism within South Africa. Overall, this research contributes to the broader discourse on the development of diasporic communities and emphasizes the integral role of travel in their existence.