The existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) is extended to White and Coloured people

Date: 22 Feb 1968
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On this day in history, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Bill was adopted - despite opposition from the United and Progressive Parties. This amendment furthered the existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) by extending it to White and Coloured people. Marriage officers were given the power to decide the race of couples wanting to be married. If South African citizens of mixed racial descent were married outside of the country, the marriage would not be recognized in South Africa. One year after the original Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) was adopted, a supplementary law, known as the Immorality act, was adopted. It prohibited sex between people of different races. These laws often split families, and entrenched racial division. President P W Botha removed the Act from the statutes book in 1986.

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How we know this

01Morris, M (2004) Every step of the way, the journey to Freedom in South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC press, pg 160.
02Giliomee, H. and Mbenga, B. (2007). New History of South Africa. Tafelberg Publishers, Cape Town

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) is extended to White and Coloured people. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012094

South African History Online (2011) 'The existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) is extended to White and Coloured people', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012094 (Accessed: 25 September 2026).

South African History Online, The existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) is extended to White and Coloured people [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012094, (accessed 25 September 2026).

"The existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) is extended to White and Coloured people." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012094. Accessed 25 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "The existing ban on marriages between White and Black people (Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) is extended to White and Coloured people." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012094.