The Natives (Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act of 1952 amended several previous South African laws pertaining to the identification of the Black African population and their movement throughout the country, often referred to as pass laws. Although previous versions of identification passes were abolished by this act, they were replaced with “reference books,” which included one’s fingerprints, photograph, racial group classification, identification number, employment information, and other details. Black Africans over the age of sixteen were required to have their reference book—also commonly referred to as a pass, passbook, and “dompas” (“stupid pass”)—on them at all times. Used in conjunction with other laws, it limited where Black Africans could be without permission from the government.
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