Parliament passes legislation separating the people of South Africa into four distinct races

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The National Assembly voted in favour of the separation of the people of South Africa into four distinct races (White, Black, Coloured, and Indian) through the Population Registration Act No. 30 of 1950. It further voted to divide South Africa into separate areas (for the exclusive use of each race) through the Group Areas Act No. 41 of 1950. Both these Acts commenced on 7 July, 1950. On 20 February, 1950 the Population Registration Act was read for the first time in Parliament. Subsequently, it became the cornerstone of the Apartheid policy. An office was set up to oversee the classification process.

How we know this

01South African History Online, ‘The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time’, [online], available at www.sahistory.org.za (Accessed: 17 May 2013)
02Boddy-Evans, A. ‘This Day in African History: 13 May’, from About African History, [online], available at https://africanhistory.about.com (Accessed: 17 May 2013)

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2013, June 7). Parliament passes legislation separating the people of South Africa into four distinct races. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095842

South African History Online (2013) 'Parliament passes legislation separating the people of South Africa into four distinct races', South African History Online, 7 June. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095842 (Accessed: 15 October 2026).

South African History Online, Parliament passes legislation separating the people of South Africa into four distinct races [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095842, (accessed 15 October 2026).

"Parliament passes legislation separating the people of South Africa into four distinct races." South African History Online, 7 June 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095842. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Parliament passes legislation separating the people of South Africa into four distinct races." South African History Online. June 7, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095842.