Apartheid Laws
Land Act, 1913:
Forced non-white South Africans to live in reserves and prohibit them to work as sharecroppers. This law was put in place three years after South Africa had gained independence and prior to the Apartheid.
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949:
Prohibited marriage between white South Africans and people of different races.
Population Registration Act, 1950:
Was the foundation of Apartheid by dividing the population into four categories; Bantu (black Africans), Coloured (mixed), white and Asian. This was decided by a Race Classification Board, and to this day it can be considered the basis of the apartheid.
Group Areas Act, 1950:
Physically separated races by creating designated areas for different races. Those who were living in the ‘wrong’ area were removed and placed in townships outside of the town. From this, they were only permitted to rent the area as all property and land was owned by the whites.
Immorality Amendment Act, 1950:
Forbid the act of adultery, attempted adultery or any related immoral actions between white and black South Africans.
Suppression of Communism Act, 1950:
This act sanctioned the banning of the CPSA (communist party of South Africa) and any form of communism that a group brought about that would result in political, industrial, social and economic change. This was seen as a threat to the government’s apartheid policy.
Separate Representation of Voters Act, 1951:
Restricted all non-white South Africans from participating in any votes or elections.
Bantu Education Act, 1953:
The Bantu law was established for the sole purpose of providing a substandard education system for Africans. This curriculum consisted of manual labored programs, and if African schools didn’t adhere to the Bantu Education their school was closed down.
Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, 1953:
This law prohibited people of diverse races to use the same public facilities.
Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act, 1958-1959:
This act was similar to the Group Areas Act, as it forced diverse racial groups to live in different areas of South Africa. Only a small percentage of area was left for black people to inhabit and call their “homeland”, this act essentially got rid of ‘black spots’ inside white zones. People lost their homes and possessions, and were relocated to undeveloped areas that proved to be difficult when wanting to find work. They set up independent “homelands” to help maintain control over the Bantustans.
Extension of University Education Act, 1959:
Also, in 1959, the Extension of University Act was passed. It prevented black students from attending “white” orient based universities and this lead to the eventual separation in institiutions for Africans, Colorbreds and Indians.
Black Homeland Citizenship Act, 1971:
This law was created to demote Africans belonging to South Africa, they were no longer considered as citizens, and therefore all their rights that were derived from being a citizen were stripped away.
Some others include:
Ø Natives (abolition of passes and co-coordination of documents) Act (1952),
Ø Natives (Prohibition of Interdicts) Act (1953),
Ø The Mines and Work Act (1956),
Ø Terrorism Act (1967).
Land Act, 1913:
Forced non-white South Africans to live in reserves and prohibit them to work as sharecroppers. This law was put in place three years after South Africa had gained independence and prior to the Apartheid.
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949:
Prohibited marriage between white South Africans and people of different races.
Population Registration Act, 1950:
Was the foundation of Apartheid by dividing the population into four categories; Bantu (black Africans), Coloured (mixed), white and Asian. This was decided by a Race Classification Board, and to this day it can be considered the basis of the apartheid.
Group Areas Act, 1950:
Physically separated races by creating designated areas for different races. Those who were living in the ‘wrong’ area were removed and placed in townships outside of the town. From this, they were only permitted to rent the area as all property and land was owned by the whites.
Immorality Amendment Act, 1950:
Forbid the act of adultery, attempted adultery or any related immoral actions between white and black South Africans.
Suppression of Communism Act, 1950:
This act sanctioned the banning of the CPSA (communist party of South Africa) and any form of communism that a group brought about that would result in political, industrial, social and economic change. This was seen as a threat to the government’s apartheid policy.
Separate Representation of Voters Act, 1951:
Restricted all non-white South Africans from participating in any votes or elections.
Bantu Education Act, 1953:
The Bantu law was established for the sole purpose of providing a substandard education system for Africans. This curriculum consisted of manual labored programs, and if African schools didn’t adhere to the Bantu Education their school was closed down.
Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, 1953:
This law prohibited people of diverse races to use the same public facilities.
Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act, 1958-1959:
This act was similar to the Group Areas Act, as it forced diverse racial groups to live in different areas of South Africa. Only a small percentage of area was left for black people to inhabit and call their “homeland”, this act essentially got rid of ‘black spots’ inside white zones. People lost their homes and possessions, and were relocated to undeveloped areas that proved to be difficult when wanting to find work. They set up independent “homelands” to help maintain control over the Bantustans.
Extension of University Education Act, 1959:
Also, in 1959, the Extension of University Act was passed. It prevented black students from attending “white” orient based universities and this lead to the eventual separation in institiutions for Africans, Colorbreds and Indians.
Black Homeland Citizenship Act, 1971:
This law was created to demote Africans belonging to South Africa, they were no longer considered as citizens, and therefore all their rights that were derived from being a citizen were stripped away.
Some others include:
Ø Natives (abolition of passes and co-coordination of documents) Act (1952),
Ø Natives (Prohibition of Interdicts) Act (1953),
Ø The Mines and Work Act (1956),
Ø Terrorism Act (1967).
Published on the 10th of November, 2014.