The Progressive Reform Party of South Africa and the 'Japie' Basson dissident group of United Party (UP) members merged to form the Progressive Federal Party (PFP) with Colin Eglin as leader, Ray Swart as party chairman and Basson as deputy chairman. The party's best known parliamentarian was Helen Suzman. Its seven key principles included full citizenship rights for all South Africans and the negotiation of a new constitution at a national convention. Liberal, mainly English speaking Whites, were attracted as followers. In 1989 the PFP and New Democratic Movement (NDM) merged with another small White reformist party, the Independent Party (IP), to form the Democratic Party (DP).
eventREF E-0012322Revised
5 September 1977
Progressive Federal Party is formed
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019
How we know this
- 01Kalley, J.A.; Schoeman, E. & Andor, L.E. (eds)(1999). Southern African Political History: a chronology of key political events from independence to mid-1997, Westport: Greenwood.
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Progressive Federal Party is formed. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012322
South African History Online (2011) 'Progressive Federal Party is formed', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012322 (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
South African History Online, Progressive Federal Party is formed [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012322, (accessed 7 October 2026).
"Progressive Federal Party is formed." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012322. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Progressive Federal Party is formed." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012322.
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