Eleanor Finch
South Africa has a complex history with monarchy, having been a self-governing country that shared a monarch with the United Kingdom and other Dominions of the British Empire from 1910 to 1961. The Union of South Africa was established as a sovereign independent state with the monarch as its head of state. However, in 1961, South Africa became a republic and left the Commonwealth, ending its direct association with monarchy. While South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994, it did so as a republic, indicating a shift away from monarchical rule. Today, South Africa is not a constitutional monarchy, but it does have sub-national monarchies within its borders, such as the Zulu King.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Government | Republic |
| Head of State | President |
| Monarch | None |
| Shared Monarch | None |
| Absolute Monarchy | No |
| Constitutional Monarchy | No |
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What You'll Learn
South Africa's history as a constitutional monarchy
During this period, the monarch's constitutional roles were primarily delegated to the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa. The Governor-General, together with the monarch, participated in granting royal assent to bills presented by the House. The monarch also had the power to disallow any act within one year of receiving royal assent. However, they did not directly participate in the legislative process.
In 1947, King George VI became the first reigning monarch to visit South Africa. Following his death in 1952, his successor, Queen Elizabeth II, was granted a distinct South African style and title by the Parliament of South Africa in 1953. Despite this recognition, the movement towards complete independence gained momentum, and in 1960, a referendum was held to decide whether to transition to a republic.
The referendum, restricted to white voters, narrowly passed with 52.29% in favour. As a result, on May 31, 1961, the Republic of South Africa was declared, ending the country's constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be the head of state, and the position of Governor-General was replaced by the State President. South Africa's transition to a republic also led to its temporary departure from the Commonwealth, which it rejoined in 1994 after the end of apartheid.
It is worth noting that while South Africa as a whole is not a constitutional monarchy, there are sub-national monarchies within the country. For example, the Zulu King and the Xhosa monarchy are recognised as traditional authorities within South Africa. Additionally, Lesotho, an enclave of South Africa, is a constitutional elective monarchy, with the current monarchy established in 1824 by King Moshoeshoe I.
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The role of the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa
South Africa is not a constitutional monarchy. The Union of South Africa was a self-governing dominion of the British Empire, with a form of constitutional monarchy in which the Crown was represented by a governor-general. The governor-general of the Union of South Africa was the highest state official in the Union of South Africa between 1910 and 1961. The Union of South Africa was founded as a self-governing dominion of the British Empire in 1910, and the office of governor-general was established as the representative of the monarch of South Africa.
The governor-general was the representative of the British government in South Africa and was appointed by the Colonial Office in London until the Balfour Declaration of 1926. After the declaration and the Statute of Westminster 1931, the governor-general was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the South African government. The governor-general was nominally the country's chief executive, but in practice, he was bound by convention to act on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet of South Africa.
The Union of South Africa was a unitary state, rather than a federation, and each colony's parliament was abolished and replaced with provincial councils. A bicameral parliament was created, consisting of the House of Assembly and Senate, with members of parliament being elected mostly by the country's white minority. Prosecutions before courts were instituted in the name of the Crown, and government officials served in the name of the Crown. The Union of South Africa was a constitutional monarchy, with the Crown being represented by a governor-general.
In 1961, the Union of South Africa became a republic and the office of governor-general was abolished. Africa's last absolute monarchy, eSwatini, has faced mounting pressures for democratic reform. Citizens' rights were enshrined in the 1967 constitution, which provided for a constitutional monarchy and an elected bicameral parliament. However, in the decades following independence in 1968, the late King Sobhuza gradually dismantled the democratic structures that challenged his authority.
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The South Africa Act 1909
South Africa is not a constitutional monarchy. It is a republic with a president as head of state. However, the country's history has been influenced by monarchies, including the absolute monarchy of eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, which is now independent.
The South Africa Act, 1909
The South Africa Act, 1909, unified the British colonies of the Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River (also known as the Orange Free State) to establish the Union of South Africa. This act was passed by the British Parliament at Westminster, but the bill was constructed by South African representatives in South Africa. It was approved by the four colonial parliaments in June 1909 and passed into law by the British Parliament by September 1909. The Union of South Africa was inaugurated on 31 May 1910, with Louis Botha as the first prime minister.
The South Africa Act, 1909, was the third major piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament to unite various British colonies and provide some degree of autonomy. This followed similar acts that united the Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec) with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the unification of Australia. The Act also allowed for the potential inclusion of Rhodesia into the Union, but this was rejected by Rhodesian colonists in a 1922 referendum.
The South Africa Act, 1909, was controversial and discriminatory. It was condemned by Black South Africans, who were effectively disenfranchised by the new constitution, which concentrated power in the all-white union bicameral Parliament. The Act also established a Supreme Court of South Africa, which served as a unified court system for the Union, and included local, provincial, and appellate divisions. Each province was governed by an Administrator appointed by the central government and had a unicameral Provincial Council.
The South Africa Act, 1909, served as the South African constitution for over fifty years, although the basic structure of the Act continued to influence the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act (1961), which was enacted when South Africa became a republic and left the Commonwealth. The last vestiges of the 1909 Act were removed in 1983 when the apartheid-era government enacted a new constitution.
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The Republic of South Africa
South Africa is not a constitutional monarchy. From 1910 to 1961, the Union of South Africa was a self-governing country that shared a monarch with the United Kingdom and other Dominions of the British Empire. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa. However, on 31 May 1961, South Africa became a republic and left the Commonwealth, severing its ties with the British monarchy.
The history of monarchy in South Africa is intertwined with the country's complex colonial past. The South Africa Act of 1909 united four British colonies: Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange River Colony, and Transvaal, to form the Union of South Africa with the monarch as its head of state. This union was established as a sovereign independent state and adopted the Statute of Westminster into South African law, granting it legislative, governmental, and economic autonomy.
The transition to a republic occurred on 31 May 1961, when Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be the head of state. This change was precipitated by a referendum held on 5 October 1960, which approved the shift towards a republican form of government. The referendum was notably restricted to white voters, reflecting the racial dynamics of the time.
It is worth noting that while South Africa as a whole is not a monarchy, there are sub-national monarchies within the country. For instance, the Zulu King of South Africa and the Xhosa monarchy are recognised as traditional authorities within the country. Additionally, Lesotho, an enclave of South Africa, is a constitutional elective monarchy, with a king who wields a fair amount of power.
In conclusion, while South Africa has a history of being part of a monarchical union with the United Kingdom and other Dominions, it has been an independent republic since 1961. The country rejoined the Commonwealth as a republic in 1994, signalling its continued evolution as a nation.
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Sub-national monarchies in South Africa
South Africa is a parliamentary republic, with a unitary, constitutional structure. However, within the province of KwaZulu-Natal, there exists a sub-national monarchy. Goodwill Zwelithini is the King of the Zulu Nation in South Africa and acts as a constitutional monarch in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Zulu Nation is a traditional monarchy within the larger republic of South Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group in South Africa, comprising nearly 23% of the population. The Zulu Kingdom was established in the early 19th century under King Shaka and played a significant role in the history of the region.
Goodwill Zwelithini was the traditional leader of the Zulu people and was recognized as the King of the Zulu Nation by the South African government. He ascended to the throne in 1968 and reigned until his passing in 2021. As a constitutional monarch, King Zwelithini had limited political power but held significant influence and played an important cultural and ceremonial role for the Zulu people.
The Zulu Kingdom is not the only traditional monarchy within South Africa. There are several other recognized traditional leaders and royal houses within the country. These traditional leaders are officially recognized by the South African government and play a role in the cultural and community affairs of their respective constituencies.
While South Africa is primarily a republic, it accommodates these sub-national monarchies and traditional leaders as a part of its diverse cultural and historical landscape. The recognition and role of these traditional leaders are outlined in the country's constitution and they form an integral part of South Africa's unique cultural heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
No, South Africa is a republic. However, from 1910 to 1961, the Union of South Africa was a self-governing country that shared a monarch with the United Kingdom and other Dominions of the British Empire.
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution that outlines their rights, duties, and responsibilities.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch holds supreme power and rules without any restrictions such as laws or a constitution. In contrast, a constitutional monarchy has a written constitution that outlines and limits the powers of the monarch.
Yes, there are a few constitutional monarchies in Africa, including Lesotho, Morocco, and eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland).
In a republic, the head of state is typically elected by the people or their representatives, and power is vested in the people. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is typically hereditary and serves as the head of state, but their powers are limited by a constitution.
