South African republic referendum, 1960
The referendum in 1960 in South Africa (English: Referendum of the Republican Issue ) was a plebiscite on October 5, 1960 The vote was the question whether the Union of South Africa ended its status as a British Dominion and into an independent state with the constitutional form of republic. should be converted. The majority consensus caused the secession from the British Commonwealth of Nations ( re-entry 1994). The legislative basis for action made to a vote of the Referendum Act (Act No. 52/1960 ).
Preparations
In January 1960, the Prime Minister Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd announced in the House ( House of Assembly ) that his government 's intention to hold a referendum on the conversion of the state into a republic. His projects according to the rule of the British monarchy should be replaced by the office of South African President as head of state.
The then South African Foreign Minister Eric Louw took in representation of the diseased Prime Minister at the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in May 1960 in London and reported officially on the project of his administration.
The draft Referendum Act consisted of a series of amendments to the Electoral Act ( Electoral Act ) adopted in 1946. Black and Indian-born citizens of the country had no impact on the intended decision, as they were excluded from voting by other laws. For the population group of coloreds voted acting for white Parliament in the House of Representatives.
In the parliamentary debate all the speakers of the opposition groups on the bill were critical because this provided for a direct vote only for white voters. Representatives of the Progressive Party and the Liberal Party followed the suggestion from the ranks of the United Party that not only the registered Coloured voters (through their separate list and their representatives ), but also Asians and Africans ( blacks) the possibilities for articulating their point of view should be allowed to change the state. The Deputy Interior Minister Pieter Willem Botha said in the House that the National Party, " the principle that whites in South Africa are the guardians of non-whites " confirmed " and that it is therefore wrong to call the non-whites as arbitrator in this matter ". Sir Villiers Graaff, leader of the United Party, warned at the House of Commons that an exclusion of Coloured voters would not be desirable. In his opinion, a consultation with the black population should take place. It would be most unwise in the difficult situation (eg Sharpeville massacre ) of the country to plan such a highly controversial constitutional amendment.
Alignment and result
The voters asked question was: " Are you in favor of a Republic for the Union? " ( German as: Are You a Republic of [ South African ] Union? ). This question could be answered on the ballot by a cross with yes or no.
On the list of voters of the referendum there were 1,800,748 people. 1,626,336 valid votes were cast. Furthermore, there were 7,436 spoiled ballots. The participation rate was therefore 90.7 %.
After the valid votes 77%, 56% Transvaal, Cape Province 50 %, 24% and Natal in South West Africa Mandate of 62 % of voters were in the regions of Orange Free State for a future status of Republic.
With the analysis of the results provide a differentiated picture loomed, in particular, there was a marked contrast between rural and urbanized areas of the Union of South Africa. Showed divergent trends within regions. In Natal, Eastern Cape Province, the metropolitan areas of the Transvaal and in the Western Cape voters had largely voted against the Republic. In addition, a divided party political sentiment on the question of the future government of South Africa demarcation was discernible. The supporters and members (mainly Boers ) of the National Party voted predominantly for the republic and the other parties tend to be against it.
As a result of the referendum, a majority of 52.3 % for the establishment of a Republic of South Africa spoke out. Consequently, the Prime Minister Verwoerd suggested at the meeting of the House before January 23, 1961 to pass a law establishing the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of South Africa Constitution Act (Act No. 32/1961 ) obtained even in the same session legal force. In the episode, a person was elected to the new president of the Republic, which was occupied on 10 May 1961 with the former Governor-General Charles Robberts Swart.
May 31, 1961 with the entry into force of the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act a national holiday Republic Day.