Abstract

Politically, the Union of South Africa was in a state of emergency from 1950 to 1960.² White extremist Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd became prime minister on 2 September 1958 and, on 5 October 1960, the European contingent of the population voted in a referendum to sever South Africa’s last links with the British Empire and become a republic. On 31 May 1961, Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be the chief of state of South Africa.