The Group Areas Act comes into effect

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

In 1948 the Nationalist Party won the general election on a platform of separate development. In 1950 the government passed the Group Areas Act, a cornerstone of Apartheid. The Act divided South African residential areas along racial and ethnic lines designating residential areas for Blacks, Whites, Indians, and Coloureds. This resulted in a many forced removals from areas like District Six and Sophiatown, uprooting millions.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Davenport, T. H. (1977). South Africa: A Modern History. Macmillian: Johannesburg.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The Group Areas Act comes into effect. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011758

South African History Online (2011) 'The Group Areas Act comes into effect', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011758 (Accessed: 16 August 2026).

South African History Online, The Group Areas Act comes into effect [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011758, (accessed 16 August 2026).

"The Group Areas Act comes into effect." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011758. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "The Group Areas Act comes into effect." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011758.