South African Constitution of 1961
Encyclopedia
The Constitution of 1961 (formally the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1961) was the fundamental law
of South Africa
for two decades. Under the terms of the constitution South Africa left the Commonwealth
and became a republic
. Legally, the Union of South Africa
, which had existed since 1910, came to an end and was re-established as the "Republic of South Africa".
was always major tenet of Afrikaner nationalism. Even when nationalists controlled the government, however, political realities prevented this goal from being attained prior to the 1960s.
On August 3, 1960, the National Party government announced a referendum
would be held in October of that year so that voters might weigh in on the question of whether the Union of South Africa should become a republic. More than 90% of eligible voters participated in the referendum, and 52.3% of those who did voted in favor of "a Union for the Republic."
The Republic of South Africa Constitution Bill was introduced in January 1961.
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
for two decades. Under the terms of the constitution South Africa left the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
and became a republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
. Legally, the Union of South Africa
Union of South Africa
The Union of South Africa is the historic predecessor to the present-day Republic of South Africa. It came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State...
, which had existed since 1910, came to an end and was re-established as the "Republic of South Africa".
Background
RepublicanismRepublicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
was always major tenet of Afrikaner nationalism. Even when nationalists controlled the government, however, political realities prevented this goal from being attained prior to the 1960s.
On August 3, 1960, the National Party government announced a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
would be held in October of that year so that voters might weigh in on the question of whether the Union of South Africa should become a republic. More than 90% of eligible voters participated in the referendum, and 52.3% of those who did voted in favor of "a Union for the Republic."
The Republic of South Africa Constitution Bill was introduced in January 1961.
See also
- South African republic referendum, 1960