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Constitution of the Cape Colony
Distinguishes between two types of people "civilized" and "uncivilzed", without referring specifically to their racial identities. However, the latter category obviously refered to the Xhosa population, who would henceforth be subjected to certain punitive laws, such as:
- The Requirement that they should carry passes (from work, leaving residential area) -
20th Century Calvinist Logic
"God created the different races and it was therefore his wish that they should remain separate. It was the destiny of his chosen people, the Afrikaners, to rule in South Africa and ensure that this divine will was enforced." -
First time legal residential segregation: Blacks Only Ndabeni
Following the outbreak of the Bubonic plague in Cape Town, legal residential segregation was introduced for the first time with the establishment of the Blacks-only township of Ndabeni, located far away from the city centre. -
The Act of Union / The South Africa Act
Restricted all voting rights to the minority white population, with the exception of the very small number of Coloureds and Blacks who had previously met the narrow franchise qualification in the Cape Province and Natal. -
South African Party (SAP)
The outline and foundation for the party was realized after the election of a 'South African party' in the 1910 South African general election under the leadership of Louis Botha. -
The Mines and Works Act
Reserved all semi-skilled positions in the mining industry for Whites, meaning that Blacks had no option but to accept poorly paid unskilled jobs in the cities or on rural farms. -
The Natives Land Act
This act prohibited Africans, who made up over two-thirds of the population, from owning or renting land anywhere outside certain parcels of territory that would be designated as native reserves. These reserves made up 7.5% of the total area of the country, and they were to be set aside for the exclusive use of Africans.The areas became horribly overcrowded and even more impoverished. The act further stipulated that Africans could reside outside the reserves only if they were employed by Whites. -
The Natives (Urban Areas) Act
Decreed that the cities were principally for the use of the White population, and that any Africans residing there would be required to carry passes. -
Industrial Conciliation Act
Allowed for the legal registration of Whites in a trade union, but not their Black counterparts. Blacks were therefore denied the opportunity to negotiate better pay and conditions. -
SAP replaced by NP-led coalition government under JBM Hertzog
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Wage Act
Permitted the government to instruct private firms to grant preference to White workers in hiring. -
Merger of SAP and NP - United Party (UP) took office
The economic devastation of the Great Depression led to the merger of SAP and NP. -
The Native Trust and Land Act
Extended the area of the natives reserves to 13% of the total land area of the country, but it also enhanced the power of the authorities to evict Africans who lived illegally in White areas. -
Apartheid System