The Nationalist Party wins election with a reduced majority in the National Assembly

Assembly on 29 April 1981, voters returned the National Party (NP) to power, albeit with a reduced majority in the House of Assembly compared to previous elections . The opposition party, Progressive Federal Party (PFP) gained considerable ground  right-wing opposition groups, led by the Herstigte Nasionale Party (HNP; Reconstituted National Party), increased their votes more than five times their previous total , but gained no seats. The election was the 18th general election since South Africa since the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910.