The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time

Date: 20 Feb 1950
Updated: 14 Feb 2020

https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/population-registration-bill-read-first-time

The Population Registration Bill was read for the first time in Parliament. The Bill was a cornerstone of the Apartheid policy as it recognised three race classifications, namely Whites, Coloureds and Natives (Blacks). Indians were initially classified as Coloureds until a fourth racial group was added later. An office of race classification was set up to oversee the classification process. The Population Registration Act (No. 30 of 1950), promulgated on 7 July 1950, made the Group Areas, Immorality and Mixed Marriages Acts possible.

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How we know this

01Conlon, P.J., (2006), South African Stories - One: The Population Registration Act, from South African Stories, 20 June [online], Available at southafricanstories.blogspot.com [Accessed: 30 January 2014]
02Joyce, P. (1990). The Rise and Fall of Apartheid, Cape Town: Struik.
03Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds)(1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 9, p. 10.

Last updated · 14 Feb 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011735

South African History Online (2011) 'The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011735 (Accessed: 22 July 2026).

South African History Online, The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011735, (accessed 22 July 2026).

"The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011735. Accessed 22 July 2026.

South African History Online. "The Population Registration Bill is read for the first time." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011735.