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The Constitution of 1961 (formally the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1961) was the fundamental law of South Africa for two decades. Under the terms of the constitution South Africa left the Commonwealth and became a republic. Legally, the Union of South Africa, which had existed since 1910, came to an end and was re-established as ...
South Africa is generally considered to have had five constitutional documents since the Union was established in 1910, including the current one. The constitutions in chronological order are: South Africa Act 1909; Constitution of South Africa, 1961 (also known as the "Republican Constitution")
S. South Africa Act 1909. South African Constitution of 1961. South African Constitution of 1983. Categories: Constitution of South Africa. Historical constitutions.
The first constitution was enacted by the South Africa Act 1909, the longest-lasting to date. Since 1961, the constitutions have promulgated a republican form of government. Since 1997, the Constitution has been amended by eighteen amendment acts. The Constitution is formally entitled the "Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996."
Like Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Union of South Africa was a self-governing dominion of the British Empire. Its full sovereignty was confirmed with the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931. It was governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with the Crown being represented by a governor-general.
The Monarch was represented in South Africa by a Governor-General. South Africa became a republic under the Constitution of 1961 and the Monarch and Governor-General were replaced by a ceremonial State President. In 1984, under the Tricameral Constitution, the State President gained executive powers, becoming head of both state and government.
Commonwealth Relations (Temporary Provision) Act, 1961: The Republic of South Africa Constitution Act, 1961, came into force on 31 May 1961, and the Union of South Africa became the Republic of South Africa, but the existing Parliament continued without an election. 42: Defence Further Amendment Act, 1961: 43: Iron and Steel Industry Amendment ...
Under the present Constitution of South Africa, the bicameral Parliament comprises a National Assembly and a National Council of Provinces. [1][2][3] The current twenty-eighth Parliament was first convened on 14 June 2024. From 1910 to 1994, members of Parliament were elected chiefly by the South African white minority.