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Black Land Act No. 27
Made it illegal for black citizens to own or rent land outside of designated reserves, which constituted only about 7% of all the land in South Africa. This act was significant because it limited the influence blacks could in the economy (land is a major commodity), and kept them from living in major hubs as well as near white citizens. -
The Natives (Urban Areas) Act No. 21
Legalized the regulation of black presence in urban areas. This law was significant because not only did it mark a disturbing movement towards Big Brother-type government, but it also meant that black citizens could not have as much influence in the cultural/economic centers of South Africa. -
The Industrial Conciliation Act No. 11
Disallowed membership of blacks in registered trade unions and outlawed black trade unions. This piece of legislation made it much easier for white-owned businesses to take advantage of black workers. -
The Minimum Wages Act
This act designated certain trades as "white-only." This is significant because it kept non-white South Africans from advancing in power and affluence. -
he Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill
This bill classified Indians living in South Africa as "alien" and allowed the government to decrease the Indian population by forcing them to go back to India. It exemplifies the attitude towards the ideal South Africa in the eyes of many white citizens: free of any non-Europeans. -
Black (Native) Administration Act No 38
This act allowed the government to forcibly move blacks from one place to another without notice. It's significant because of how utterly atrocious it was, not to say that none of these other laws were equally terrible. Thanks to this piece of legislation, the government could and did force people to leave behind everything that they had and move to new homes they couldn't even choose. -
Black (Native) Laws Amendment Act No 46
Made it illegal for blacks to buy land in urban areas that had previously been inhabited/owned by whites. This law exemplifies the "petty" nature of apartheid laws. Due to other limiting laws, many black South Africans probably could not afford to purchase land in white areas, so this law most likely addressed an issue that was rare. Also, there is absolutely no practical reason why a black person would harm society by owning land that USED to be white-owned. -
Immorality Amendment Act No 21
Allowed the government to remove black citizens who were judged to be leading immoral lives from urban areas, as well as those who had committed certain offenses. This law is significant because it allowed the government to become involved in citizens' personal lives, which is grossly unethical. -
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act No 55
Made mixed marriages (marriages between people of different races) illegal. This is another petty law, as mixed-marriages were already very rare and it is unethical for the government to become involved in the personal lives of its citizens. -
Population Registration Act No 30
Required every South African to be classified as of a certain race, which defined where they could go and what rights they had -
Black Education Act No 47
Established separate curriculum for black and white schools. This law is significant because it represents a serious blow to black South Africans. To purposefully under-educate black students both ensures that they will not be able to qualify for jobs beyond a certain level and reinforces the idea of white supremacy.
