Major Legislation in Apartheid South Africa (1913-1964)

Black Land Act No 21

Aug 1, 1913

This law prohibited blacks from owning land with the exception of reserved designated by the government. It was also the first piece of major legislation regarding the segregation of blacks in South Africa.

Immorality Act No 5

Sep 30, 1927

This piece of legislation prohibited intercourse between blacks and whites in an effort by the government to keep South African whites 'pure'. It was extended in 1950 to include all non-whites.

Prohibition of Mixed Marriages No 55

Jul 8, 1949

This law prohibited marriage between whites and members of any other racial group.

Population Registration Act No 30

Jul 7, 1950

This law required all citizens of South Africa to be registered at birth and classified as a member of one of four races. The way the government went about these classifications were incredibly racist and scientifically inaccurate. It was also based solely on biology rather than culture.

Group Areas Act No 41

Jul 7, 1950

This piece of legislation identified certain areas as designated for a very specific racial group, and people belonging to any given group were required to live in these areas.

Black (Native) Laws Amendment Act No 54

Jun 27, 1952

This law required blacks, including women and children, to carry reference books or "passes" outlining their personal information, and also prohibited them from being in urban areas for longer than 72 hours without explicit permission.

Reservation of Separate Amenities Act No 49

Oct 9, 1953

This law legally segregated public amenities and transportation services.

Black Education Act No 47

Jan 1, 1954

This law segregated education as well as set up an entirely different school board and set of curriculum for blacks which focused on basic literacy and technical skills.

Blacks Resettlement Act No 19

Aug 1, 1954

This law established a Resettlement Board which had the power to authorize forced removals. This board was responsible for the destruction of Sophiatown and many other removals.

Representation between Republic of South Africa and Self-Governing Territories Act (Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act) No 46

Jun 19, 1959

This law allowed for the creation of Bantustans, changing government-designated reserves based on specific ethnic groups into independent and sovereign nations. It also abolished black representation in Parliament.