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Black Land Act No 27
It set aside areas of land designated for the Bantu population to live in (only 7% of the country). The Natives were also prohibited from buying or owning land outside of these reserves.
White landowners were able to rid of the native landowners by forcing them into the reserves, and it enforced territorial segregation of the races. -
Period: to
1913-1964
Duration of significant Apartheid Laws in South Africa -
Native (Black) Urban Areas Act No 21
Urban authorities were required to create separate residence areas for blacks and monitor the influx of blacks into urban areas. It also limited the presence of blacks in the cities—they were only to be there if their service was demanded by whites.
This law gave whites regulation over blacks in urban areas by controlling their entry and action. It limited the work that blacks were able to do, and it was a start of public segregation. -
Immorality Act No 5
Sexual relations between the white racial group and blacks was forbidden. There was to be no extra-marital intercourse or relations of any kind between the two races.
Blacks were now being subjected to segregation laws in love. They were stripped of their right to love who they wanted and therefore affecting their personal relationships. -
Development Trust and Land Act No 18
The reserves were increased to 13%, however, “black spots”—black land surrounded by white land—were now being eliminated by authorities.
This enforced strict controls over the black communities. They could not purchase land outside of reserves, and were now being kicked out of their homes and reduced to designated black areas. The whites gave more leniency with the land amount but consequently provided for easier action to relocate blacks. -
Black (Native) Laws Amendment Act No 46
The urban population of blacks was restricted. They were prohibited from buying land in urban areas without the Governor’s consent, and their numbers were to reflect the labor requirements of whites.
Blacks were limited in the property that they could own but also their presence was barred to meet labor requirements only. They lost freedom to live in the cities. -
Population Registration Act No 30
All people were required to be profiled at birth. This placed them into one of four distinct racial categories in which only one was white. It was compulsory that all South Africans be registered based on physical appearance and social acceptability.
Non-whites stood out even more against the whites because of their ‘racial profile’ on register. It was also more difficult for people to be classified as white due to the series of tests officials ran to determine race. -
Group Areas Act No 41
Urban areas were divided into zones for particular racial groups. People were required to live and work only in their designated sections.
There was a sense of centralized control being inflicted over non-white racial groups. Their ability to live and work was being subjected to the desires of the white government. -
Black (Bantu) Authorities Act No 68
The establishment of tribal, regional, or territorial authorities was permitted in the reservation areas. It was an attempt for the reserves to be self-governing.
This was an illusion created by the white government. Although the tribes were being recognized and allowed to have their own system, they still did not create social change in the higher authority. -
Black (Native) Laws Amendment Act No 54
All blacks including women were required to carry passes when going into urban areas. They were subject to random and frequent police pass checking. Blacks considered ‘idle or undesirable’ by the police could be arrested or sent back to his or her homeland.
Going to urban areas was even more difficult as well as dangerous for blacks. They were required to carry their passes of documentation which could easily get them into trouble if they forgot something. -
Reservation of Separate Amenities Act No 49
Separate social environments were made more apparent between whites and coloreds. Public facilities and transportation means were reserved for individual racial groups.
The public facilities of whites and blacks were not equal in quality. Blacks endured worse conditions and amenities than those of whites which impacted their happiness. -
Black Education Act No 47
The educational system of South Africa was furthered. Black education differed from whites in that blacks were not able to aspire past certain positions in society so their education reflected only necessary skills. The idea of equality was also banished from schools.
Black were not able to get education for higher skilled jobs and could only progress to a certain degree in South Africa. This limited the ability of the new generations to make sufficient income or receive proper education -
Black Labour Relations Regulation Act (Black Labor and Settlement of Disputes Act) No 48
Blacks were no longer deemed employees/workers by the government They were prohibited from joining labor unions (particularly mining, farming, railways, government and domestic service) or participating in strikes.
The ability of the black community to protest for reforms in the workplace were diminished. Without strikes and unions, their voice for change was made even smaller. -
Blacks Resettlement Act No 19
Blacks were to be relocated out of western suburbs and townships so a Resettlement Board was established.
The government considered the rid of blacks a triumph. Sophiatown was a heavily populated black area that was destroyed due to this law’s enactment. It was turned into a white suburb call ‘triomf’. -
Separate Representation of Voters Amendment Act No 30
Colored people were removed from the common roll during elections. Coloreds were given compensation by being able to elect 4 members to the House and 1 to the Senate through a separate electoral roll. They were also given a council to advise the govt. “at its request” on black matters.
It restricted black representation in the government but gave them a partial leeway with their 5 government members and council. However, it is unlikely that they could make an impact on social matters. -
Extension of University Education Act No 45
Non-whites were prohibited from attending white only universities. However, it designated universities to specified African groups.
Blacks were able to receive education, but their education was limited, and the color bar still persisted in social aspects of black lives. -
Urban Blacks Council Act No 79
The Advisory Boards (put in place during the Urban Areas Act) were replaced with Bantu Councils which allowed for new democratic elections including black chairmen with some duties.
The was the first step for self-government by blacks in urban areas. -
General Law Amendment Act No 37
It extended the police’s power to detain someone suspected of a political crime for up to 90 days without having a warrant.
The Law was designed to prevent the advocating of communism or economic and social change in the government. This pertained to blacks due to the prohibiting of social change—which would improve their civil rights in South Africa.
