This Day in History: May 30, 1963
Additional Date: May 30, 1963
On 30 May 1963 the Transkei Constitution Act No 48 commenced. The history of this Act could be traced back to April 1961 when the Transkei Regional Authority appointed a committee to investigate the possibility of granting self-government to the Transkei. In December 1962 this committee, under chairmanship of Chief Kaiser Matanzima, was granted permission by the Republic of South Africa Prime Minister, Dr H.F. Verwoerd to draw up a Constitution for the Transkei. The Constitution gave partial self-government to the Transkei within the Republic of South Africa. The territorial authority was replaced by a partially elected legislative assembly, consisting of 64 traditional leaders and 45 elected members, with a cabinet under a chief minister. The Transkei was to have its own citizenship, flag and anthem.