On 11 March 1960, for the first time in the history of South Africa, the Republican Referendum Bill was introduced to Parliament by the Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs P.W. Botha. The Bill provided that when a referendum on a republic is held, voters would be asked to vote either "Yes" or "No" to the question; "Are you in favour of a republic?" This was all that would appear on the ballot paper in both official languages (English and Afrikaans). The Bill consisted of a series of amendments to the Electoral Act of 1946, with the idea of making the ordinary electoral machine available for a referendum. For that purpose, the Union and South - West Africa were to be regarded as one constituency.
eventREF E-0011889Revised
11 March 1960
Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, P.W. Botha, introduces the Republican Referendum Bill to Parliament
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019
How we know this
- 01Anon, (1960), 'One question Only for Vote on Republic,' from The Star, 11 March 1960, (Available at National Library of South Africa, Cape Town campus) pg 1.
- 02SAHO, Pieter Willem Botha, from South African History Online, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 5 March 2013]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, P.W. Botha, introduces the Republican Referendum Bill to Parliament. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011889
South African History Online (2011) 'Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, P.W. Botha, introduces the Republican Referendum Bill to Parliament', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011889 (Accessed: 7 November 2026).
South African History Online, Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, P.W. Botha, introduces the Republican Referendum Bill to Parliament [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011889, (accessed 7 November 2026).
"Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, P.W. Botha, introduces the Republican Referendum Bill to Parliament." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011889. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.
South African History Online. "Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, P.W. Botha, introduces the Republican Referendum Bill to Parliament." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011889.
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