About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

1951. Bantu Authorities Act No 68

This is, in a sense, a continuation of the NATIVES ADMINISTRATION ACT of 1927.

It "was an attempt to restructure the government of the reserves on more traditional lines, but in practice came to mean the establishment of a system of indirect rule through the medium of subservient and sometimes well-rewarded chiefs, chosen for their preparedness to enforce government policy at the expense of their own popularity" (Davenport 1987: 383).

The reserves were later to become self-governing (see the PROMOTION OF BANTU SELF-GOVERNMENT ACT of 1959), and even later 'independent' (see the BANTU HOMELANDS CONSTITUTION ACT of 1971).

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.