On 21 January 1946, Prime Minister J.C. Smuts announced the intention of the Government to introduce new legislation to replace the Trading and Occupation of Land (Transvaal and Natal) ("Pegging Act"), which was due to expire on 31 March 1946. The Asiatic Land Tenure and Representation Bill would prohibit Indians from purchasing land from non-Indians. Furthermore, Indians would in future be entitled to elect three Whites to the House of Assembly, two Whites to the Senate, and three members to the Natal Provincial Council on a communal franchise with educational and property qualifications.

On 3 February 1946, the NIC called a mass meeting in Durban to protest against the proposed Bill. A resolution was passed condemning the bill, rejecting communal franchise, proposing a round table conference of South Africa with India, and advocating effective mass resistance against the proposed Bill.

Despite widespread opposition, however, the Bill became law as the Asiatic Land Tenure and Representation Act ("Ghetto Act") in March 1946.

Read more about these events and their consequences.

Read more about the history of Indians in South Africa.

Click here for a look at a chronology of Anti-Indian Legislation.

Source:

South African History Online