Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg

On 28 March 1960, Natives began making bonfires of their reference books in Johannesburg. Their action was the latest gesture of defiance against the pass laws. During the weekend, the suspension of pass laws was announced. Many Natives turned a deaf ear to the warning made by the Minister of Justice Mr. Erusmas. He cautioned that reference books will have to be carried once more when the situation returned to normal. Chief Albert Luthuli burned his reference book on Saturday where he issued a call to non-Whites to follow his example. Duma Nokwe, Secretary General of the ANC, Nelson Mandela, Arthur Letele, Treasurer, and Walter Sisulu, burned their passes on Saturday in the garden of an Orlando ho

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How we know this

01Anon, (1960), ‘Passes go up on flames,’ from The Star, 28 March, (Available at National Library of South Africa, Cape Town Campus), [Accessed: 24 February 2011] pg 1.
02Anon, (n.d), ‘General South African History Timeline: 1960's’ from South African History Online, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 24 February 2

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011893

South African History Online (2011) 'Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011893 (Accessed: 28 August 2026).

South African History Online, Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011893, (accessed 28 August 2026).

"Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011893. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Blacks are making bonfires of their “passes” in Johannesburg." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011893.