Republic of South Africa Constitution Act

The Republic of South Africa Constitution Act of 1961 marked South Africa's transition from a dominion within the Commonwealth to a republic. This act was the culmination of a referendum in October 1960, where a majority of white South Africans voted in favor of becoming a republic. Previously, South Africa had been unified as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910, integrating several British colonies. The country's status as a dominion was solidified by the Statute of Westminster in 1931, affirming its sovereign independence. Upon becoming a republic in 1961, South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth, rejoining in 1994 after the end of apartheid. Apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination, was enforced from 1948 to 1994, profoundly impacting the lives of non-white South Africans.123