Pamphlet issued by the Commission for Justice and Reconciliation about the background to the 20th anniversary of the Republic Day on 31st May 1981. The meaning of Republic is also discussed, followed by the brief survey of significant events since 1961. These events include: the general strike, represive legislation, labour unrest, school boycotts, civil war, and the rights of citizenship.
Archive record
Background to the 20th anniversary of Republic Day, 31st May 1981

- Origin date
- 14 March 1987
- Updated
- 27 Aug 2019

South African History Online. (2016, February 22). Background to the 20th anniversary of Republic Day, 31st May 1981 . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0114278
South African History Online (2016) 'Background to the 20th anniversary of Republic Day, 31st May 1981 ', South African History Online, 22 February. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0114278 (Accessed: 27 July 2026).
South African History Online, Background to the 20th anniversary of Republic Day, 31st May 1981 [website], https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0114278, (accessed 27 July 2026).
"Background to the 20th anniversary of Republic Day, 31st May 1981 ." South African History Online, 22 Feb. 2016, https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0114278. Accessed 27 July 2026.
South African History Online. "Background to the 20th anniversary of Republic Day, 31st May 1981 ." South African History Online. February 22, 2016. https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0114278.
Further reading
DISA Archive
Letter from Barney Pityana to Neville Curtis
SAHO is free because readers fund it. Donate →