what did the south african act do

What did the Union of South Africa Act do?

South Africa Act, act of 1909 that unified the British colonies of the Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River (see Orange Free State) and thereby established the Union of South Africa.

What was the Republic of South Africa Act of 1961?

Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1961. The South Africa Act 1909 was an Act of the British Parliament which created the Union of South Africa from the British colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange River Colony, and Transvaal.

What was the South Africa Act of 1909?

... (Show more) South Africa Act, act of 1909 that unified the British colonies of the Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River ( see Orange Free State) and thereby established the Union of South Africa.

How did the Land Act affect South Africa?

In essence, the Land Act became a critical edifice in the construction of a racially and spatially divided South Africa. Subsequent Acts such as the Urban Areas Act (1923), Natives and Land Trust Act (1936) and the Group Areas Act (1950) reinforced the land dispossession and segregation in South Africa.

What was the South African Act 1910?

In 1910, the South Africa Act was passed in Britain granting dominion to the White minority over Native (African), Asiatic (mostly Indian) and “Coloured and other mixed races”. This Act brought the colonies and republics - Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State - together as the Union of South Africa.

What did ANC do?

The ANC responded to attacks on the rights of black South Africans, as well as calling for strikes, boycotts, and defiance. This led to a later Defiance Campaign in the 1950s, a mass movement of resistance to apartheid.

What are the acts in the South African constitution?

The first constitution was enacted by the South Africa Act 1909, the longest-lasting to date. Since 1961, the constitutions have promulgated a republican form of government....Constitution of South Africa.Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996Ratified18 December, 1996Date effective4 February, 1997SystemRepublicGovernment structure12 more rows

What was the impact of apartheid laws?

An effect of the law was to exclude non-whites from living in the most developed areas. Many non-whites were forcibly removed for living in the wrong areas. In addition, the non-white majority was given a much smaller area of the country. Subsequently, the white minority owned most of the nation's land.

What is the purpose of Population Registration Act?

The Population Registration Act of 1950 required that each inhabitant of South Africa be classified and registered in accordance with their racial characteristics as part of the system of apartheid.

How was apartheid ended?

The apartheid system in South Africa was ended through a series of negotiations between 1990 and 1993 and through unilateral steps by the de Klerk government. These negotiations took place between the governing National Party, the African National Congress, and a wide variety of other political organisations.

What are the types of Acts?

Common types of acts are legislative, judicial, and notarial acts.

Are Acts a law?

When a bill is passed in identical form by both the Senate and the House, it is sent to the president for his signature. If the president signs the bill, it becomes a law. Laws are also known as Acts of Congress. Statute is another word that is used interchangeably with law.

How many Acts are there in law?

As of January 2017, there were about 1,248 laws. However, since there are Central laws as well as State laws, it is difficult to ascertain their exact numbers as on a given date and the best way to find the Central Laws in India is from the official websites.

What effect did apartheid have on South Africa?

Officially beginning in 1948, black South Africans were stripped of their land and relocated to racially segregated developments far outside the city, where homeownership was practically impossible. Between 1960 and 1980, 3.5 million people were forcibly removed by police officers from city centers to rural townships.

What are the three apartheid laws?

The Immorality Act, 1927 forbade extramarital sex between white people and black people. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 forbade marriages between white people and people of other races. The Immorality Amendment Act, 1950 forbade extramarital sex between white people and people of other races.

What was the effect of the policy of apartheid in South Africa?

This policy has sanctioned racial segregation in terms of political,economical discrimination against the non-whites. Poverty,racism and violence have resulted in psychological disorders. It was a rigid political discrimination against the non-white which has devastated the situation for the blacks.

What did Nelson Mandela fight for?

Mr. Mandela – affectionately known as “Madiba”, his Xhosa clan name - fought against the racist apartheid system in his homeland, and for equality and freedom for all people.

What did Mandela change in South Africa?

Former South African president and civil rights advocate Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to fighting for equality—and ultimately helped topple South Africa's racist system of apartheid. His accomplishments are now celebrated each year on July 18, Nelson Mandela International Day.

What type of government did European settlers create in South Africa?

What type of government did European settlers create in South Africa in 1909? a parliamentary government that excluded many citizens.

What is the official language of South Africa?

In modern times, English remains one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa. Dutch was extended to include Afrikaans by the Official Languages of the Union Act, 1925, and replaced by Afrikaans in the Constitution of 1961 .

What was the Cape Colony's system of suffrage?

The Cape Colony had long adhered to a system of non-racial franchise, whereby qualifications for suffrage were applied equally to all males, regardless of race. During the union negotiations, the last Cape Prime Minister, John X. Merriman, and Sir Walter Stanford, representing the Transkei and other African communities, fought unsuccessfully to have this multi-racial franchise system extended to the rest of South Africa. Their attempt failed in the face of opposition from the white governments of the other constituent states, which were determined to entrench white rule.

How did South Africa fight apartheid?

Resistance to apartheid within South Africa took many forms over the years, from non-violent demonstrations, protests and strikes to political action and eventually to armed resistance. Together with the South Indian National Congress, the ANC organized a mass meeting in 1952, during which attendees burned their pass books. A group calling itself the Congress of the People adopted a Freedom Charter in 1955 asserting that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black or white.” The government broke up the meeting and arrested 150 people, charging them with high treason.

What was the purpose of the Bantu Self-Government Act of 1959?

Separating black South Africans from each other enabled the government to claim there was no black majority and reduced the possibility that blacks would unify into one nationalist organization. Every black South African was designated as a citizen as one of the Bantustans, a system that supposedly gave them full political rights, but effectively removed them from the nation’s political body.

How long did apartheid last in South Africa?

Despite strong and consistent opposition to apartheid within and outside of South Africa, its laws remained in effect for the better part of 50 years. In 1991, the government of President F.W. de Klerk began to repeal most of the legislation that provided the basis for apartheid. President de Klerk and activist Nelson Mandela would later win ...

What happened after apartheid?

Under apartheid, nonwhite South Africans (a majority of the population) would be forced to live in separate areas from whites and use separate public facilities.

What was the land act of 1913?

The controversial 1913 Land Act, passed three years after South Africa gained its independence, marked the beginning of territorial segregation by forcing black Africans to live in reserves and making it illegal for them to work as sharecroppers.

What was the most devastating aspect of apartheid?

In one of the most devastating aspects of apartheid, the government forcibly removed black South Africans from rural areas designated as “white” to the homelands and sold their land at low prices to white farmers.

Why did the government establish separate public facilities for whites and non-whites?

In order to limit contact between the races, the government established separate public facilities for whites and non-whites, limited the activity of nonwhite labor unions and denied non-white participation in national government.

When was the South African Convention established?

It was assented to by King Edward VII.on 20th September 1909; and a Royal Proclamation of the 2nd December 1909 declared the dateof the establishment of Union to be the 31st May 1910.

What is desirable for the welfare and future progress of South Africa?

WHEREAS it is desirable for the welfare and future progress of South Africa that the severalBritish Colonies therein should be united under one Government in a legislative union under theCrown of Great Britain and Ireland: And whereas it is expedient to make provision for the union of the Colonies of the Cape ofGood Hope, Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony on terms and conditions towhich they have agreed by resolution of their respective Parliaments, and to define the executive,legislative, and judicial powers to be exercised in the government of the Union: And whereas it is expedient to make provision for the establishment of provinces with powersof legislation and administration in local matters and in such other matters as may be speciallyreserved for provincial legislation and administration: And whereas it is expedient to provide for the eventual admission into the Union or transfer tothe Union of such parts of South Africa as are not originally included therein: Be it therefore enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice andconsent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliamentassembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

When did the British and Afrikaners start working on the Union of South Africa?

After the end of the South African War, the British and Afrikaners began working on establishing the Union of South Africa, which was accomplished in 1910 . However, black people were excluded from meaningful political participation in its formation and future.

What was the Land Act?

In essence, the Land Act became a critical edifice in the construction of a racially and spatially divided South Africa. Subsequent Acts such as the Urban Areas Act (1923), Natives and Land Trust Act (1936) and the Group Areas Act (1950) reinforced the land dispossession and segregation in South Africa.

What was the history of dispossession of land?

The history of White colonial land dispossession did not begin with the passing of the Native Land Act in 1913, it spans back to the expansion of Dutch colonial settlements in the Cape. Land and livestock dispossession resulted in wars between the Khoikhoi, San, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and a number of other ethnic groups against the colonial settlers. With increasing conquest of Africans came the issue of how to deal with African people, which the government termed the “Native question.” In a nutshell, the term was loosely defined in the 1903 Intercolonial Conference as “embracing the present and future status of all aboriginal natives of South Africa, and the relation in which they stand towards the European population.” While the initial part of land dispossession began with annexation and division of territory, over time proclamations were made and laws were enacted by both the Afrikaners and the British to dislodge African people from their land while consolidating areas of White settlement. Thus, by the time the Land Act of 1913 was enacted, South Africa was already moving in the direction of spatial segregation through land dispossession. One of the key legislations that laid down the foundation for a spatially divided South Africa was the Glen Grey Act passed in 1894.

How much land did Africans own in South Africa?

In essence, Africans despite being more in number were confined to ownership of 7% South Africa’s land. This was increased to 13.5% by the Native and Land Trust Act which was passed in 1936.

What did the Thembu argue about?

They argued that Africans, the Thembu in particular, had forfeited their right to the land when they fought against the colonial government. Parliamentarians were vexed with the question of African land tenure and labour since the 1880s.

Why did Rhodes reject the idea of making more land available to the Africans?

Rhodes rejected the idea of making more land available to the Africans as a solution to what he viewed as a problem of an increasing African population. As Edgecombe notes, “The main purpose of the land provision was to fix the existing population to the land. Any increase would subsequently have to go out and work.”.

What was Rhodes' view on the Glen Grey Act?

In essence, Rhodes’ view was that “natives” must be treated differently from the Europeans.

When did South Africa become a nation?

The country became a fully sovereign nation state within the British Empire, in 1934 following enactment of the Status of the Union Act. The monarchy came to an end on 31 May 1961, replaced by a republic as the consequence of a 1960 referendum, which legitimised the country becoming the Republic of South Africa .

What does the South African flag mean?

Flag of the South African Republic, often referred to as the Vierkleur (meaning four-coloured) The South African Republic (Dutch: Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek or ZAR, not to be confused with the much later Republic of South Africa ), is often referred to as The Transvaal and sometimes as the Republic of Transvaal.

How many white people emigrated to South Africa after apartheid?

The South African Institute of Race Relations estimated in 2008 that 800,000 or more white people had emigrated since 1995, out of the approximately 4,000,000 who were in South Africa when apartheid formally ended the year before. Large white South African diasporas, both English- and Afrikaans-speaking, sprouted in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and especially in the UK, to which around 550,000 South Africans emigrated.

What was the Bantu expansion?

The Bantu expansion was one of the major demographic movements in human prehistory, sweeping much of the African continent during the 2nd and 1st millennia BC . Bantu-speaking communities reached southern Africa from the Congo basin as early as the 4th century BC. The advancing Bantu encroached on the Khoikhoi territory, forcing the original inhabitants of the region to move to more arid areas. Some groups, ancestral to today's Nguni peoples (the Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, and Ndebele ), preferred to live near the eastern coast of what is present-day South Africa. Others, now known as the Sotho–Tswana peoples ( Tswana, Pedi, and Sotho ), settled in the interior on the plateau known as the Highveld, while today's Venda, Lemba, and Tsonga peoples made their homes in the north-eastern areas of present-day South Africa.

When did humans first come to South Africa?

The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago . South Africa's prehistory has been divided into two phases based on broad patterns of technology namely the Stone Age and Iron Age. After the discovery of hominins at Taung and australopithecine fossils in limestone caves at Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, and Kromdraai these areas were collectively designated a World Heritage site. Native or indigenous South Africans are collectively referred to as the Khoisan, the Khoi Khoi and the San separately. These groups were displaced or sometimes absorbed by migrating Africans (Bantus) during the Bantu expansion from Western and Central Africa. While some maintained separateness, others were grouped into a category known as Coloureds, a multiracial ethnic group which includes people with shared ancestry from two or more of these groups: Khoisan, Bantu, English, Afrikaners, Austronesians, East Asians and South Asians. European exploration of the African coast began in the 13th century when Portugal committed itself to discover an alternative route to the silk road that would lead to China. In the 14th and 15th century, Portuguese explorers traveled down the west African Coast, detailing and mapping the coastline and in 1488 they rounded the Cape of Good Hope. The Dutch East India Company established a trading post in Cape Town under the command of Jan van Riebeeck in 1652, European workers who settled at the Cape became known as the Free Burghers and gradually established farms in the Dutch Cape Colony.

Who was the president of South Africa when the British refused to withdraw troops from the border?

Until that point, President Paul Kruger 's government had excluded all foreigners from the franchise. Kruger rejected the British demand and called for the withdrawal of British troops from the borders of the South African Republic. When the British refused, Kruger declared war.

Who founded the first wine estate in South Africa?

Groot Constantia, the oldest wine estate in South Africa, was founded in 1685 by Simon van der Stel. The South African wine industry (New World wine) is among the lasting legacy of the VOC era.

What act set up the government to enforce the rights of Africans?

The Bantu Authorities Act , of 1951, set up government-appointed leaders and authorities in regional, tribal, and territorial areas where blacks were forced to live. Thus, further striping away their rights. The Bantu Education Act, of 1953, further formalized the subpar education that Africans were forced to receive.

What laws were passed to restrict the types of skills blacks could practice as trades?

Other laws were passed to restrict the types of skills blacks could practice as trades. In addition, a separate administration system was set up under the Native Administration Act of 1927; which allowed for proclamations to be used to administer black areas, instead of acts of parliament.

What was the group area act of 1950?

The Group Areas Act, of 1950, built upon earlier laws and separated specific areas of the country for blacks and whites. If you were an African living in an area not designated for your race, the government could forcibly move you to an area set aside for your category and it did so, with guns and with force. Sophiatown.

What laws made it illegal for blacks and whites to marry?

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, of 1949, made it illegal for blacks and whites to marry and the Immorality Act of 1950 forbade sexual relations between whites and non-whites (a ban on relations between blacks and whites had already been in place since 1927).

Why was the African National Congress created?

The African National Congress was then created, just two years later, in 1912 to respond to the white-run government. Ironically, eight years after this formation, in 1918, Nelson Mandela was also born. The government began to, immediately, codify its suppression of black South Africans. In 1913 the Natives Land Act was passed which set aside about ...

What was the population registration act of 1950?

The Population Registration Act, of 1950, required all residents of South Africa to be classified as coloured (European and African mixed or Asian), native (Bantu people), or white. Identity cards were issued and a registry for the entire country was initiated. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, of 1949, made it illegal for blacks ...

What was the Natives Land Act of 1913?

In 1913 the Natives Land Act was passed which set aside about 13% of South Africa's land for the "Native population.". It prohibited blacks from buying, renting , or using land anywhere outside of the areas that were set aside for them.

What is the South African Law Reform Commission Act?

South African Law Reform Commission Act, 1973 (Act 19 of 1973), It provides for the establishment of the South African Law Reform Commission. Provision is also made for the constitution, objects, powers, and duties of, and reports by, the Commission.

How did the Bantu Authorities Act work?

The Bantu Authorities Act was one of the Acts that attempted to keep South African citizens apart on a racial and ethnic basis. The government introduced this Act by setting up Black ethnic governments known as “Homelands”. The government used this Act to push Black people out of urban areas to stay in these homelands. These homelands were subsequently granted independent status by the central government. Homelands were under chiefs who were subordinate to their masters in Pretoria. The Inhabitants of these homelands would lose South African citizenship and all political rights including voting. They even had to have passports to enter South Africa. Commenced: 17 July 1951. It was repealed by section 69 of the Black Communities Development Act, Act No 4 of 1984. more

Why did the National Party establish the Group Areas Act?

The primary aim of this Act was to make the residential separation compulsory. The Acts laid down legal provisions on the specific areas where different population groups could own property, reside and work. There was quite a range of reasons why this Act was introduced and strengthened. The primary reason was to curb the movements of the non-Whites, in particular Blacks from rural areas into the big cities and Whites-only areas. The influx into the big cities was stimulated by the booming economy. To counter the influx and consolidate the growing numbers, the government set up semi-urban townships for Black, Indian and Coloured population groups. With the establishment of these urban areas the government was attempting to keep riots and any other form of threat by non-Whites on the White population group, under control. The Act also cut across all traditional property rights and led to the evictions of thousands of Blacks, Coloureds and Indians. It became a source of resentment to the non-Whites. The Indian community were the most affected as they were forced out of the central city areas where they had previously operated their businesses. Commenced: 7 July 1950. It was repealed by section 44 of the Group Areas Act, Act No 77 of 1957.

What were the three categories of South Africans?

The Population Registration Act provided that all South Africans be racially classified in one of three categories: White, Black or Coloured. According to this Act Indians fell under the Coloured category. The criteria used to determine the qualification into each of these categories was based on appearance, social acceptance and descent. The Act described a White person as one whose parents were both White. The other things that categorised a person as White were his habits, speech, education, deportment and demeanour. Blacks were defined as being members of an African race or tribe, and Coloureds as people who were neither White nor Black. The Department of Home Affairs was responsible for handling the classification process of the citizenry. As a result of this Act Blacks were forced to carry passbooks, the infamous “dompas” which had their fingerprints, photo and information in order to accessnon-Black areas. Commenced: 7 July 1950. It was repealed by section 1 of the Population Registration Act, Repeal Act No 114 of 1991.

What was the purpose of Section 22 of the Terrorism Act?

Section 22 (1) was amended to provide for the detention of suspected ‘terrorists' for up to fourteen days for purposes of interrogation. The Commissioner of Police could apply to a judge to have the detention order renewed. This was essentially a forerunner of the 1967 Terrorism Act. Commenced: 4 November 1966. Sections 3-6 & 22 repealed by the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982

What is the purpose of the South African Native Trust?

It also establishes the South African Native Trust, which became the Bantu Trust and then later the Development Trust. The function of the Trust is to acquire and administer all released land. This means that African people were not permitted to own land in their own right.

What were the masters and servants laws?

Masters and Servants Acts of 1856. These Acts, which had been passed between 1856 and 1904 in the four territories, remained in force after Union. They made it a criminal offence to breach the contract of employment. Desertion, insolence, drunkenness, negligence and strikes were also criminal offences. Theoretically these laws applied ...

Who was responsible for the education of black South Africans?

Under the act, the Department of Native Affairs, headed by Hendrik Verwoerd, was made responsible for the education of Black South Africans; in 1958 the Department of Bantu Education was established. The act required Black children to attend the government schools.

What is South Africa known for?

South Africa, the southernmost country on the African continent, renowned for its varied topography, great natural beauty, and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favoured destination for travelers since the legal ending of apartheid (Afrikaans: “apartness,” or racial separation) in 1994. South….

What was the Bantu Education Act?

Bantu Education Act, South African law, enacted in 1953 and in effect from January 1, 1954, that governed the education of Black South African (called Bantu by the country’s government) children. It was part of the government’s system of apartheid, which sanctioned racial segregation and discrimination against nonwhites in the country.

Overview

Historical background

Government structure

The Cape Qualified Franchise

Other provisions

Bibliography