page_title: Richard Southey (colonial administrator)
section_title: Colonial Secretary (1864–1872)
hierarchical_section_title: Richard Southey (colonial administrator) / Career / Colonial Secretary (1864–1872)
caption_attribution_description: English: Sir Richard Southey. British Imperial Administrator of southern Africa.
context_page_description: Sir Richard Southey KCMG was a British colonial administrator, cabinet minister and landowner in South Africa.
context_section_description: As Colonial Secretary, he consistently and strongly opposed the growing movement for "Responsible Government" (local democracy) in the Cape, that was led by his fiercest political enemy, John Molteno. He was also noted for his expansionist politics regarding the Cape's neighbouring states. He firmly believed in bringing all southern African states – especially the remaining indigenous African states – under British imperial rule. This strategy, together with his "native policy" was heavily criticised by the local Cape Parliament of the time, which was dominated by liberal politicians such as Saul Solomon.
  In 1872, the Cape finally attained responsible government and Southey was then discreetly retired from the post of Colonial Secretary. In a highly unexpected move, Molteno, his victorious enemy, approached him together with the Governor and offered him the post of Prime Minister for the new country. A surprised Southey refused to have any involvement with the movement he had fought for so many years.
caption: Portrait of Sir Richard Southey in the early 1870s as Colonial Secretary. Portrait by WH Schroder, published in The Zingari.
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