Natal votes for the formation of the Union of South Africa

On 12 June 1909, Natal voted in favour of the formation of the Union of South Africa. During the following year (1910), the South Africa Act was approved in Britain granting power to the White minority over Africans, Asiatics (mostly Indians) and Coloureds.  This Act brought together two former British colonies, the Cape and Natal, and the Afrikaaner republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State into the Union of South Africa.  Under the provisions of the Act, the Union remained British territory, but with home-rule for Afrikaners.  Each of the four unified states was allowed to keep their existing permit qualifications, and the Cape Colony was the only colony in which Africans were permitted to vote. It was decided that Herbert Gladstone, son of the Britain Prime Minister and South African Governor-General at the time, would ask politicians who, in his view, had enjoyed most support to form a cabinet. With former President Steyn not available due to poor health, the choice was between Louis Botha and John X. Merriman. Neither was ready to serve under the other. Gladstone chose Botha, who formed a cabinet consisting of members of the ruling party in the four colonies. On 31 May 1910, the Union of South Africa was inaugurated.