5 October 1960
Referendum supports a South African republic
In a referendum restricted by the existing franchise to white voters, a narrow majority supported replacing the monarchy with a republic.
View in timelineOn 5 October 1960, South Africa held a referendum on whether the Union should become a republic. Eligibility followed the national parliamentary franchise then in force, limiting participation to white voters. Approximately 850,000 voted for a republic and 776,000 voted against, producing a majority of about 52 per cent.
Republicanism had long been an important objective within Afrikaner nationalist politics. Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd and the National Party argued that republican status would complete South Africa’s constitutional independence. The United Party supported retaining the monarchy and emphasised the country’s Commonwealth relationship. Voting reflected these political and regional differences: the proposal carried the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape, while Natal voted strongly against it.
Significance
The result authorised the government to prepare a republican constitution. It also brought the future of South Africa’s Commonwealth membership into the constitutional process.
Why it matters
The result gave Hendrik Verwoerd's government the mandate to introduce the 1961 republican constitution and opened the question of whether the new republic would remain in the Commonwealth.
Perspective notes
The National Party presented republican status as the completion of South African constitutional independence and an important Afrikaner objective. The United Party campaigned against the proposal, stressing Commonwealth ties and economic and constitutional continuity; opposition was particularly strong in Natal and among English-speaking voters.