Początki tworzenia polskich urzędów konsularnych w Unii Południowej Afryki

The article focuses on circumstances connected with establishing consular posts of the Republic of Poland in the Union of South Africa. Their beginnings have fallen at the turn of 20's and 30's of the 20th century. The subject has not been yet investigated by foreign scholars. In Polish scientific literature still exists quite big discrepancies concerning even basic facts. The main reasons for establishing Polish consular post in the Union were political (will to posses colonies and to play superpower role in international relations), economic (raw materials, market for Polish goods) and demographic (settlement of Poles) nature. Initially Polish interests in the Union were represented by Polish Consul General in London. After disputes in the Polish Parliament and adoption of Polish foreign policy strategy it was decided to establish consular post in Cape Town. Polish authorities conferred the post of highest consular rank - Consulate General (1929) what meant special significance in creation of Polish - South African political and economic relations. The main task of the consulate was to promote Polish foreign trade and also maritime matters, public relations and care of Polish citizens. Due to lack of proper activity the Consulate General in Cape Town was reduced to the Consulate Honorary (1931) and then to the Consular Agency (1934). However during holding the function of consul by Jan Majewski and his predecessor Cyril Caro dynamic activity of the consular post was noted with straightening its staff. In 1938 Consular Agency was transformed into Consulate Honorary and a year later in Consulate. Moreover, after years of long efforts, Consular Agency in Johannesburg was opened (1938). The outbreak of the Second World War caused personal changes in the existing consular posts, but first and foremost initiated the process of establishing new consular posts: Consulate General in Pretoria (1940/1941) and Consular Agency in Durban (1942), since 1943 Consulate).