prohibition of mixed marriages act 1949 essay

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act

How the Apartheid Law Affected South Africa

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The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (no. 55 of 1949) was one of the first pieces of apartheid legislation enacted after the National Party came to power in South Africa in 1948. The Act banned marriages between “Europeans and non-Europeans,” which, in the language of the time, meant that White people could not marry people of other races. It also made it a criminal offense for a marriage officer to perform an interracial marriage ceremony.

Justification and Aims of the Laws

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act did not, however, prevent other so-called mixed marriages between non-White people. Unlike some other key pieces of apartheid legislation, this act was designed to protect the “purity” of the White race rather than the separation of all races .

Mixed marriages were rare in South Africa before 1949, averaging fewer than 100 per year between 1943 and 1946, but the National Party explicitly legislated to keep non-Whites from "infiltrating" the dominant White group by intermarriage. Both the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act and the Immorality Act of 1957 were based on then-active United States segregation laws. It was not until 1967 that the first U.S. Supreme Court case rejecting miscegenation laws ( Loving v. Virginia ) was decided.

Apartheid Marriage Law Opposition

While most White South Africans agreed that mixed marriages were undesirable during apartheid , there was opposition to making such marriages illegal. In fact, a similar act had been defeated in the 1930s when the United Party was in power.

It was not that the United Party supported interracial marriages. Most were vehemently opposed to any interracial relations. Led by Prime Minister Jan Christiaan Smuts (1919–1924 and 1939–1948), the United Party thought that the strength of public opinion against such marriages was sufficient for preventing them. They also said there was no need to legislate interracial marriages since so few happened anyway, and as South African sociologist and historian Johnathan Hyslop has reported, some even stated that making such a law insulted White women by suggesting they would marry Black men.

Religious Opposition to the Act

The strongest opposition to the act, however, came from the churches. Marriage, many clerics argued, was a matter for God and churches, not the state. One of the key concerns was that the Act declared that any mixed marriages “solemnized” after the Act was passed would be nullified. But how could that work in churches that did not accept divorce? A couple could be divorced in the eyes of the state and married in the eyes of the church.

These arguments were not enough to stop the bill from passing, but a clause was added declaring that if a marriage was entered into in good faith but later determined to be “mixed” then any children born to that marriage would be considered legitimate even though the marriage itself would be annulled.

Why Didn’t the Act Prohibit All Interracial Marriages?

The primary fear driving the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was that poor, working-class White women were marrying people of color. In actual fact, very few were. In the years before the act, only roughly 0.2–0.3% of marriages by Europeans were to people of color, and that number was declining. In 1925 it had been 0.8%, but by 1930 it was 0.4%, and by 1946 it was 0.2%.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was designed to "protect" White political and social dominance by preventing a handful of people from blurring the line between White society and everyone else in South Africa. It also showed that the National Party was going to fulfill its promises to protect the White race, unlike its political rival, the United Party, which many thought had been too lax on that issue.

Anything taboo, however, can become attractive, just by virtue of being forbidden. While the Act was rigidly enforced, and the police endeavored to root out all illicit interracial relations, there were always a few people who thought that crossing that line was well worth the risk of detection.

By 1977, opposition to these laws was growing in the still White-led South African government, dividing members of the liberal party during the government of Prime Minister John Vorster (Prime Minister from 1966–1978, president from 1978–1979). A total of 260 people were convicted under the law in 1976 alone. Cabinet members were divided; liberal members backed laws offering power-sharing arrangements to non-Whites while others, including Vorster himself, decidedly did not.  Apartheid was in its painfully slow decline.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, along with the related Immorality Acts which prohibited extra-marital interracial sexual relations, was repealed on June 19, 1985. The set of apartheid laws were not abolished in South Africa until the early 1990s; a democratically elected government was finally established in 1994. 

• " Curbs on Interracial Sex and Marriage Divide South African Leaders ." The New York Times , July 8, 1977. 
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• Hyslop, Jonathan, “ White Working-Class Women and the Invention of Apartheid: 'Purified' Afrikaner Nationalist Agitation for Legislation against 'Mixed' Marriages, 1934-9 ” Journal of African History 36.1 (1995) 57–81.
• Jacobson, Cardell K., Acheampong Yaw Amoateng, and Tim B. Heaton. " Inter-Racial Marriages in South Africa. " Journal of Comparative Family Studies 35.3 (2004): 443-58.
• Sofer, Cyril. “Some Aspects of Inter-racial Marriages in South Africa, 1925–46,”  Africa,  19.3 (July 1949): 193.
• Wallace Hoad, Neville, Karen Martin, and Graeme Reid (eds.). "Sex and Politics in South Africa: The Equality Clause / Gay & Lesbian Movement / the Anti-Apartheid Struggle." Juta and Company Ltd, 2005.
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• What Was Apartheid in South Africa?
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Essay On Mixed Marriages Act

The Mixed Marriages Act, historically implemented in South Africa, was a piece of legislation that reflected the apartheid government’s policy of racial segregation. Enacted in 1949, it prohibited marriages between people of different racial backgrounds. The main intention behind this act was to maintain strict racial boundaries and preserve the racial hierarchy, where the white minority held power over the non-white majority.

The Mixed Marriages Act played a significant role in the oppression and discrimination faced by non-white South Africans during the apartheid era. It perpetuated the idea of racial superiority and inferiority, reinforcing the belief that different races should not intermingle. This led to the marginalization of individuals from different racial backgrounds who dared to love and marry each other, facing immense social and legal consequences.

Moreover, the act not only restricted individuals’ personal choices but also extended its impact to families and communities. Couples who defied the law faced severe consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and social ostracization. Families were torn apart, and children born from mixed marriages were often subject to complex legal classifications, often not fully accepted by either of their parents’ communities .

Over time, the Mixed Marriages Act became a symbol of the injustice and inhumanity of apartheid, drawing international condemnation and contributing to the pressure for its eventual dismantlement. In the late 1980s, as international sanctions against apartheid escalated and domestic resistance intensified, the South African government was forced to reconsider its discriminatory policies.

In 1985, the government began the process of repealing the Mixed Marriages Act, as well as other apartheid-era laws. This culminated in the democratic elections of 1994 when Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president of South Africa. His election marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of racial equality and reconciliation.

The abolition of the Mixed Marriages Act was a significant step towards dismantling the systemic racism and segregation that had plagued the country for decades. It paved the way for a more inclusive and tolerant society where people could freely choose their life partners without fear of legal repercussions based on race.

While the Mixed Marriages Act is now a thing of the past, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding human rights and promoting equality. Its legacy continues to shape discussions about race, identity, and social justice in South Africa and beyond, emphasizing the ongoing need to combat discrimination in all its forms.

In conclusion, the Mixed Marriages Act was a pivotal element of the apartheid regime, enforcing racial segregation and oppressing non-white South Africans. Its repeal represented a significant step towards dismantling apartheid and establishing a more inclusive society. Remembering the history of the act helps us appreciate the progress made towards racial equality and encourages us to continue working towards a more just and equal world for all.

Essay On Mixed Marriages Act (400 Words)

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was a piece of apartheid legislation in South Africa that prohibited marriages between “whites” and “non-whites”. It was among the first pieces of apartheid legislation to be passed following the National Party’s rise to power in 1948.

The act was motivated by the National Party’s ideology of white supremacy, which held that the races were inherently different and that mixing between the races would lead to the decline of the white race. The act was also seen as a way to protect the purity of the white race and to maintain white political and social dominance.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was implemented in 1951. It applied to all mixed marriages between South Africans, so even marriages that took place in another country were not recognized within South Africa. The punishment for people found to be in a mixed marriage involved arrest and a jail sentence. Anyone who knowingly officiated a marriage that violated the act was also subject to punishment: a fine not exceeding 50 pounds.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was a deeply unpopular law, and it was widely flouted. Many couples chose to marry outside of South Africa, and others simply lived together without being married. The act also had a significant impact on the lives of mixed-race children, who were often denied the same rights and opportunities as their white counterparts.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was repealed in 1985, along with the related Immorality Acts which prohibited extramarital interracial sexual relations. The repeal of these laws was a significant step towards the end of apartheid, and it helped pave the way for a more just and equitable society in South Africa.

The importance of mixed marriages cannot be overstated. They help to break down racial barriers, and they provide opportunities for people of different races to learn about and appreciate each other’s cultures. Mixed marriages also send a powerful message that love is colorblind and that people should be free to marry the person they love, regardless of their race.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was a shameful chapter in South Africa’s history, but its repeal is a testament to the country’s progress towards a more just and equitable society. Mixed marriages are now a symbol of hope and progress, and they continue to play an important role in building a more tolerant and inclusive South Africa.

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Attitudes towards interracial marriages in South Africa

Photo: Amy of motherinthemix.com

June, not only February, is an important month to celebrate love. In particular, for love that transcends inter- and outer-group barriers. On 12th June 2017 marked fifty years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Loving v. Virginia case that marriage across racial lines was legal throughout the United States of America (USA), wiping laws that prohibited such marriages in certain states at the time [1] .  In South Africa, marriage and sexual relationships between historically defined race groups were similarly prohibited by the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (Act No 55 of 1949) and the Immorality Act of 1950. These anti-miscegenation laws were introduced by the apartheid government and formed part of its overall policy of separateness, which included pieces of legislation such as the Population registration and Group Areas Act. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was eventually repealed in June 1985 – by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act – allowing inter-racial marriages and relationships [2] .  That year, Suzanne Leclerc and Protas Madlala became the first couple from different historically defined race groups to get married in South Africa after the change [3] .

More than three decades later, a study conducted by researchers at North-West University in Mahikeng show that the odds of and individual marrying someone of the same race as themselves decreased from 303:1 in 1996, to 95:1 in 2011 – thus, an increase in interracial marriages in South Africa. The researchers attribute this to 1) “general changes in attitudes in society”; and, 2) “mutual tolerance” of people from various historically defined race groups in South Africa [4] .

Intergroup marriages are considered an important measure of the dissolution of social and cultural barriers, therefore of social and cultural integration. Despite coming from different backgrounds, partners in intergroup (here interracial) marriages are likely to share some common values and aspirations. These elements are seen to be enabling of social cohesion in multicultural societies [5] . However, not only the odds of interracial marriages, but also attitudes towards interracial marriages are of importance when considering intergroup marriages as a measure of integration.

To this end, we can use data from the South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB). One of the questions in the SARB survey asks respondents whether they would approve, disapprove or are neutral should a close relative of theirs marry someone from a different race group. This forms part of a list of questions with regards to attitudes towards racial integration in various contexts, which includes interracial marriage, integration at school and integration in neighbourhoods. Among these inter-racial marriage was consistently the least approved of the list provided from 2003-2013 [6] .

Looking at the findings specifically relating to attitudes towards interracial marriage, Figure 1 below shows that approval rates initially increased from 47% in 2003 to 53% in 2010, decreasing again to  47% from 2010 to 2015. The proportion of respondents who indicated that they neither approve nor disapprove (or are neutral) increased from 21% in 2003 to 26% in 2015; and, the proportion of respondents who indicated that they disapprove of a close relative marrying someone from another historically defined race group decreased from 29% in 2003 to 23% in 2015.

Figure 1: South Africa: Attitudes towards inter-racial marriage, 2003-2015, Total Population [1]

Overall, positive change (albeit incremental) in terms of approval of a close relative marrying a person from another race group has happened – as can be seen in the decrease in disapproval, as well as the increase in neutral responses. However, much works lies ahead in tackling prejudices in this regard – in particular given the reported higher odds of interracial marriages, while attitudes have been slower to adjust.

For a more in depth analysis and disaggregation of responses in terms of historically defined race groups, age groups, Living Standard Measures (LSM) and Highest Level of Education attained, please see our SARB report on this topic under publications during July 2017.

Elnari Potgieter is the Project Leader for the South Africa Reconciliation Barometer at IJR

[1] Wilkinson, A. 2017. Loving v. Virginia was decided 50 years ago, VOX, 17 June 2017.  Online: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/6/17/15809790/loving-story-virginia-hbo

[2] South African History Online (SAHO). 2016. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act commences. Online: http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/prohibition-mixed-marriages-act-commences

[3] Johnson, M. 1986. South Africa’s 1st Legal Mixed-Race Couple Allowed to Marry, Not to Live Together, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 1986. Online: http://articles.latimes.com/1986-07-13/news/mn-20744_1_south-africa

[4] Jacobson, C.K., Amoateng, A.Y., & Heaton, T.B. 2004. Inter-racial marriages in South Africa, Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 35(3): 443-459.

[5] Khoo, S. 2011. Integration and Multiculturalism: A Demographic Perspective. Chapter 6 in Multiculturalism and Integration: A Harmonious Relationship , Michael Clyne, James Jupp (eds). ANU Press.

[6] Wale, K., Foster, D. 2015. Contact and Reconciliation, Chapter 4 in Rethinking Reconciliation: Evidence from South Africa, Lefko-Everett, K., Govender, R., Foster, D (eds). HSRC Press, Cape Town.

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10 Questions About Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act

Below you will find 10 questions about prohibition of mixed marriages act in South Africa including bonus questions.

We will explore 10 important questions related to the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act and its impact on South Africa.

2. Why was the act implemented?

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was implemented as part of the apartheid regime’s broader agenda of racial segregation. The National Party believed in strict separation of races, and this act was seen as a means to achieve that goal.

3. Which races were affected by the act?

The act specifically targeted marriages between White people and people of other races. It prohibited marriages between Whites and Blacks, Coloreds, and Asians.

Yes, the act applied to both men and women. It made it illegal for individuals from different racial groups to marry each other, regardless of gender.

5. How was the act enforced?

Violating the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was a criminal offense. Individuals found guilty of marrying across racial lines could face imprisonment, fines, or both. Furthermore, the act also included provisions to invalidate mixed-race marriages that predated its implementation.

The act had a devastating impact on mixed-race relationships in South Africa. Couples who wished to marry had to choose between their love for each other and the law. Many couples were forced to separate or maintain their relationships secretly, away from society’s prying eyes.

8. Did the act face any opposition?

Yes, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act faced significant opposition both within South Africa and internationally. Organizations such as the African National Congress (ANC) and individuals like Nelson Mandela fought against the apartheid laws, including the act. International condemnation and boycotts also put pressure on the apartheid regime.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was repealed in 1985, amid the growing resistance against apartheid. The repeal was a significant milestone in the fight against racial discrimination and a step towards equality.

The repeal of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act marked an important moment in South Africa’s history. It symbolized the dismantling of apartheid and the progress towards a more inclusive and equal society. It laid the groundwork for the eventual end of apartheid and the birth of a democratic South Africa.

Bonus Questions

11. Are there still remnants of the act present today?

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of racial discrimination and the importance of equality. By studying and understanding the act, we can learn about the resilience and determination of those who fought against apartheid and work towards creating a more just and inclusive society.

13. How does the act compare to other apartheid laws?

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was one of the many apartheid laws implemented by the National Party. These laws included the Group Areas Act, the Immorality Act, and the Population Registration Act, among others. Each of these laws played a role in enforcing racial segregation and perpetuating inequality in South Africa.

14. What have been the long-term effects of the act?

Creating a more inclusive future requires ongoing commitment and effort from all sectors of society. It involves challenging and dismantling remaining systems of discrimination and inequality. Continued dialogue, education, and advocacy are essential in creating a society where everyone is valued and given equal opportunities.

The above 10 questions about prohibition of mixed marriages act should help you understand the state of this act.

The act’s impacts are still felt today, even after its repeal. By understanding its history and implications, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equal society for all South Africans.

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• 1955. Appellate Division Quorum Act No 25 or 27.
• 1955. Criminal Procedure & Evidence Amendment Act No 29
• 1955. Departure from the Union Regulation Act No 34
• 1955. Motor Carrier Transportation Amendment Act No 44
• 1955. Senate Act No 53
• 1955. Customs Act No 55
• 1955. Criminal Procedure Act No 56
• 1955. Group Areas Development Act
• 1955. Native Urban Areas Amendment Act
• 1956. South Africa Amendment Act No 9
• 1956. Separate Representation of Voters Amendment Act
• 1956. Official Secrets Act No 16
• 1956. Riotous Assemblies [Amendment?] Act No 17
• 1956. Mines & Works Amendment Act No 27
• 1956. Industrial Conciliation Amendment Act No 28
• 1956. Bantu Education Amendment Act
• 1956. Native Urban Areas Amendment Act
• 1956. Native Administration Amendment Act No 42
• 1956. General Laws Amendment Act No 50
• 1956. Bantu Prohibition of Interdicts Act No 64
• 1956. ? Amendment Act
• 1957. Immorality Act No 23
• 1957. Defence Act No 44
• 1957. State-Aided Institutions Act
• 1957. Flag Amendment Act
• 1957. Nursing Amendment Act
• 1957. Native Urban Areas Amendment Act No 77
• 1957. Proclamation No 333
• 1958. Criminal Procedure Amendment Act No 9
• 1958. Special Criminal Courts Amendment Act
• 1959. Trespass Act No 6
• 1959. Prisons Act No 8
• 1959. Industrial Conciliation Amendment Act
• 1959. Bantu Investment Corporation Act
• 1959. Native Labour Settlement of Disputes Amendment Act
• 1959. Extension of University Education Act No 45
• 1959. Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act No 46
• 1959. Supreme Court Act No 59
• 1960. Reservation of Separate Amenities Amendment Act No 10
• 1960. Unlawful Organizations Act No 24 or 34
• 1960. Emergency Regulations in Transkei Nos R.400 & R.413
• 1961. Republic of South Africa Constitution Act No 32
• 1961. General Laws Amendment Act
• 1961. Urban Bantu Councils Act No 79
• 1962. ? Act
• 1962. Sabotage Act General Laws Amendment Act No 76
• 1963. Publications & Entertainments Act No 26
• 1963. General Laws Amendment Act No 37
• 1963. Transkei Constitution Act No 48
• 1963. Censorship Act
• 1964. Bantu Urban Areas Amendment Act
• 1964. Coloured Persons Representative Council Act No 49
• 1964. Bantu Labour Act No 67
• 1964. General Laws Amendment Act No 80
• 1965. Bantu Laws Amendment Act
• 1965. Bantu Labour Regulations Act
• 1965. Bantu Homelands Development Corporations Act
• 1965. Criminal Procedure Amendment Act No 96
• 1966. Community Development Act
• 1966. Group Areas [Amendment?] Act No 36
• 1966. General Laws Amendment Act No 62
• 1967. Prohibition of Improper Political Inference Act
• 1967. Defence Amendment Act
• 1967. Suppression of Communism Amendment Act No 24
• 1967. Terrorism Act
• 1967. Physical Planning & Utilization of Resources Act No 88
• 1968. Criminal Procedure Amendment Act No 9
• 1968. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act No 21
• 1968. South Africa Indian Council Act No 31
• 1968. Separate Representation of Voters Amendment Act No 50
• 1968. Prohibition of Political Interference Act No 51
• 1968. Coloured Persons Representative Council Amendment Act No 52
• 1968. Affected Organizations Act
• 1968. Promotion of Economic Development of the Homelands Act
• 1969. South Africa Amendment Act
• 1969. Legal Aid Act No 22
• 1969. Abolition of Juries Act No 34
• 1969. South West Africa Affairs Amendment Act
• 1969. Public Service Amendment Act
• 1969. Electoral Laws Amendment Act No 99
• 1969. General Laws Amendment Act No 101
• 1970. Bantu Homelands Citizen Act No 26
• 1970. General Laws Further Amendment Act No 92
• 1971. Bantu Urban Areas Amendment Act
• 1971. Bantu Homelands Constitution Act No 21
• 1973. Venda Constitution Act
• 1973. Gazankulu Constitution Act
• 1973. Aliens Control Act No 40
• 1973. ? Act
• 1973. Gatherings & Demonstrations Act No 52
• 1973. Bantu Labour Relations Regulations Amendment Act No 70
• 1973. Proclamation on the Group Areas Act No 228
• 1974. Riotous Assemblies Amendment Act No 30
• 1974. Affected Organizations Act No 31
• 1974. Publications Act No 42
• 1974. Bantu Laws Amendment Act No 70
• 1974. Defence Further Amendment Act No 83
• 1974. [Second] General Laws Amendment Act No 94
• 1974. Qwaqwa Constitution Act
• 1975. KwaZulu Constitution Act
• 1975. Coloured Persons Representative Council Amendment Act No 32
• 1976. Republic of Transkei Constitution Act No 15
• 1976. Parliamentary Internal Security Commission Act No 67
• 1976. Internal Security Amendment Act No 79
• 1976. Status of Bophuthatswana Act No 89
• 1976. Status of the Transkei Act No 100
• 1977. Transkei Public Security Act No 30
• 1977. Criminal Procedure Act No 51
• 1977. Community Councils Act
• 1978. Black Urban Areas Consolidation Amendment Act
• 1979. Status of Venda Act
• 1979. Industrial Conciliation Amendment Act No 94
• 1979. Status of the Ciskei Act
• 1981. Labour Relations Amendment Act No 57
• 1982. Internal Security Act No 74
• 1982. Registration of Newspapers Amendment Act
• 1982. Black Local Authorities Act
• 1983. Republic of South Africa Constitution Act No 110
• 1984. Black Communities Development Act Davenport
• 1985. Regional Services Council Act
• 1986. ? Act(s)
• 1986. Constitutional Affairs Amendment Act No 104
• 1986. Abolition of Influx Control Act No 68
• 1986. Restoration of South African Citizenship Act No 73
• 1987. ? Act
• 1987. Act/Regulations
• 1988. Free Settlement Areas Act
• 1988. Prevention of Illegal Squatting Amendment Act
• 1989. ? Act
• 1990. ? Act(s)
• Collapse of BLA's and introduction of Auxillary Forces
• Policing Approach
• The South African Police: Managers of conflict or party to the conflict
• State Security Council and related structures
• The Policing of Public Gatherings and Demonstrations in South Africa 1960-1994
• Third Force Proposals
• Torture and Death in Custody
• The 70's riot control - Jimmy Kruger
• The use of Torture in Detention (refers to Rooi Rus Swanepoel)
• From Pariah to Partner - Bophuthatswana, the NPKF, and the SANDF
• Organisational Structure of SA State
• Tricameral Parliament Description 1
• Tricameral Parliament Description 2
• Tricameral Constitution 1983
• Where Thought Remained Unprisoned
• Clear the Obstacles and Confront the Enemy
• Whither the Black Consciousness Movement?
• We Shall Overcome!
• Indian South Africans - A Future Bound with the Cause of the African Majority
• The Anatomy of the Problems of the National Liberation Struggle in South Africa
• Through the Eyes of the Workers
• Towards Freedom
• Let us Work Together for Unity
• SWAPO Leads Namibia
• About the editor
• List of Abbreviations
• A History of the IWW in South Africa
• Loyalists and Rebels
• Resistance and Reaction
• "Fight for Africa, which you deserve": The Industrial Workers of Africa in South Africa, 1917-1921
• Transition (1990 - 1994)
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This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation , but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation , but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.

Call Number: D07.02.01 Identifier: TUT_Chp07_MixedMarriagesAct_1949 Title: Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 Date: July 1949 Subject: Legislation; Social Impact; Marriage Description: This is a copy of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949. This act forbade marriages between Whites and other races. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act No 55 of 1949 (commenced 8 July 1949) forbade marriages between Whites and other races. Included in SAHA's virtual exhibition 'Tracing the unbreakable thread: non-racialism in South Africa' Creator: Union of South Africa Type: Legislation Format: Access copy - PDF Source: Digital Innovation South Africa (DISA) Language: English Coverage: South Africa Rights: Digital rights: Digital Innovation South Africa (DISA) Username Password | Leave a Comment Please share your views or anecdotes, particularly if you were present or affected by the events described in this poster, photograph or document. 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On July 1949, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 that prohibited marriage or a sexual relationship between White people and people of other race groups in South Africa is passed. The law was introduced by the apartheid government and part of its overall policy of separateness. South Africans were required to register as members of one of four racial groups as set out in the Population Registration Act of 1950. The four groups were White, Coloured, Indian and Black. Using these categories, the apartheid government proceeded to criminalise marriages between people of different racial groups. Subsequent to the passing of this legislation, a number of people were arrested and charged for breaking its provisions. The law also nullified interracial marriages of South Africans that occurred outside of the country. It was eventually repealed in 1985 by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act that allowed inter-racial marriages and relationships. Source: South African History Online Courant News Related Posts: How consumer rights can protect you from direct marketing Two-pot retirement: Substantial work still needs to… Good news about economy, but policy uncertainty in… #Elections2024: Bloemfontein Courant Election Watch Look after your car this winter – AA Minister Ramokgopa commits to solving electricity… RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR GBV affected family receive comfort Be a winner with Best of Bloemfontein Hawks granted R2 million asset forfeiture order Spca encourages locals to report illegal hunting, zone 2 police station closes, handbags filled with upliftment and hope, editor picks. Boks make nine changes for All Blacks Test Popular posts. Three degrees behind his name, yet unemployed Maimane attends mass prayer in Bloem Angus: Tell the devil to back off! Popular category. Local 16390 National 6147 Sport News 3293 Entertainment 1384 Business 1169 School News 853 PAIA Manual Advertisement The Mixed Marriages Act (1949) : a theological critique based on the investigation of legislative action and church responses to this legislation Master Thesis Permanent link to this Item Supervisors, journal title, link to journal, journal issn, volume title. University of Cape Town Description Bibliography: pages 208-228. Furlong, P. 1985. The Mixed Marriages Act (1949) : a theological critique based on the investigation of legislative action and church responses to this legislation. University of Cape Town. Collections DSpace software copyright © 2002-2024 LYRASIS You are here Everything Explained.Today A-Z Contents Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 explained Short Title: Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1948 Long Title: Act to prohibit marriages between white and black people, and to provide for matters incidental thereto. Citation: Act No. 55 of 1949 Enacted By: Parliament of South Africa Assented By: Royal Assent: 1 July 1949 Date Commenced: 8 July 1949 Date Repealed: 19 June 1985 Amended By: Repealed By: Related Legislation: Immorality Act Status: repealed The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act , Act No. 55 of 1949, was an apartheid -era law in South Africa that prohibited marriages between "whites" and "non-whites". It was among the first pieces of apartheid legislation to be passed following the National Party 's rise to power in 1948. Subsequent legislation, especially the Population Registration and Immorality Acts of 1950, facilitated its implementation by requiring all individuals living in South Africa to register as a member of one of four officially defined racial groups and prohibiting extramarital sexual relationships between those classified as "white" on the one hand and those classified as "non-White" (Blacks, Coloureds, later also Asians) on the other. It did not criminalise sexual relationships between those classified as "non-Europeans". Mixed races relationships occurred in South Africa as far back as 1669, and often took place between Dutch colonisers and indigenous South African women. [1] While mixed marriages did not become completely taboo until the rise of the National Party in 1948, [2] in the years immediately preceding the passing of this Act, mixed marriages accounted for just a small fraction of all marriages in South Africa, and occurred almost evenly between the four defined racial groups ( Black , Coloured , White , and Asiatic ). [3] Implementation On July 1949, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 that prohibited marriage or a sexual relationship between White people and people of other race groups in South Africa was passed. Enforcement of the act was left to the police, who often followed people to their homes to ensure they were not in violation and raided the homes of those believed to be in a mixed marriage. The act applied to all mixed marriages between South Africans, so even marriages which took place in another country were not recognised within South Africa. [4] The punishment for people found to be in a mixed marriage involved arrest and a jail sentence. Anyone who knowingly officiated a marriage that violated the act was also subject to a punishment: a fine was imposed not exceeding 50 pounds . Anyone who was found to have lied to an officiant was also subject to the legal punishment for perjury. Some of the social consequences of entering into a mixed-race marriage included being ostracised from or ridiculed by one's family and community. One example is a white South African sex worker named Ethal, who indicated that she felt more accepted by her peers when she was a sex worker than when she married a black African man. Legislative history The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act of 1968 updated the original legislation to invalidate interracial marriages involving a South African citizen that were contracted in other countries. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was repealed by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act, 1985 , which was passed during the presidency of P. W. Botha . [5] Anti-miscegenation laws Apartheid legislation in South Africa Interracial marriage Further reading Mixed Marriages Act , South End Museum and why mixed marriage act was passed The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act commences , SA History Notes and References van den Berghe. Pierre L.. 1960. Miscegenation in South Africa. Cahiers d'Études Africaines. 1. 4. 68–84. 4390778. 10.3406/cea.1960.3680. 4082409 . JACOBSON. CARDELL K.. AMOATENG. ACHEAMPONG YAW. HEATON. TIM B.. 2004. Inter-racial Marriages in South Africa. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 35. 3. 443–458. 41603948. 10.3138/jcfs.35.3.443. Sofer. Cyril. 1949. Some Aspects of Inter-Racial Marriages in South Africa, 1925-46. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 19. 3. 187–203. 10.2307/1156969. 1156969. 145754077 . News: Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 . kyle. 2016-02-22. South African History Online. 2018-11-26. en. Book: Johnson, Shaun. South Africa: no turning back . Indiana University Press. 1989. 978-0-253-35395-5. registration. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License . It uses material from the Wikipedia article " Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 ". Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy . Global site navigation Celebrity biographies TV-shows and movies Quotes - messages - wishes Bizarre facts Business tips Celebrities Family and Relationships Women Empowerment South Africa Cars and Tech This day in history: The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act commences On this day in 1949, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act that banned marriage or a sexual relationship between white people and people of other race groups in South Africa was passed. The law was introduced by the apartheid government as part of its overall policy of separateness. PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Mixed race relationships occurred in South Africa as far back as 1652, and often took place between Dutch colonizers and indigenous South African women. Mixed marriages did not become completely taboo until the rise of the National Party in 1948. South Africans were required to register as members of one of four races as set out in the Population Registration Act of 1950. These four groups were White, Coloured, Indian and Black. PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today. The apartheid government then criminalised marriages between people of different racial groups. Enforcement of the act was left to the police, who often followed people to their homes to ensure they were not in violation and raided the homes of those believed to be in a mixed marriage. The punishment for people found to be in a mixed marriage involved arrest and a jail sentence. Anyone who knowingly officiated a marriage that violated the act was fined. Any interracial marriages that occurred outside the country were nullified by the South African law. READ ALSO: Mzansi in stitches at video of man towing taxi with bare hands It was eventually repealed in 1985 by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act that allowed interracial marriages and relationships. It was passed during the presidency of P. W. Botha. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly News Sibusisiwe Lwandle (Head of Entertainment) Sibusisiwe Lwandle is the Head of Entertainment at Briefly News (joined in 2019). She holds one Bachelor of Arts (BA) and one Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Cape Town and the University of KZN respectively. She has over 10 years of experience in journalism, having worked in print, online and broadcast media. She has worked at Independent Media and 1KZNTV and has contributed columns to the Washington Post. Passed set of trainings by Google News Initiative. Email: [email protected] Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949/1968-03-27 This is the text of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 , as it was at 27 March 1968, that being the date on which the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act, 1968 , was published and came into force. To prohibit marriages between Europeans and non-Europeans, and to provide for matters incidental thereto. (English text signed by the Governor-General.) (Assented to 1st July, 1949.) as amended by Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act, No. 21 of 1968 1. (1) As from the date of commencement of this Act a marriage between a European and a non-European may not be solemnized, and any such marriage solemnized in contravention of the provisions of this section shall be void and of no effect: Provided that— (2) If any male person who is a South African citizen or is domiciled in the Republic enters into a marriage outside the Republic which cannot be solemnized in the Republic in terms of subsection (1), such marriage shall be void and of no effect in the Republic. 2. Any marriage officer who knowingly performs a marriage ceremony between a European and a non-European shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds. 3. Any person who is in appearance obviously a European or a non-European, as the case may be, shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to be such, unless and until the contrary is proved. 4. Any person who makes a false statement to a marriage officer, relating to the question whether any party seeking to have his marriage solemnized by such marriage officer is a European or a non-European, knowing such statement to be false, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to the penalties prescribed by law for the crime of perjury. 5. This Act shall be called the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949. Pages with override author Navigation menu Wednesday, 28 August 10 Jan 2020 Landisa: I married a white man during apartheid, and the reaction to it pushed me to try and end my life Everyone has a story to tell. I always wish I had written my grandma’s story or my mom’s story, because these stories can become forgotten over generations. I wanted to write my story; not to keep reminding myself of Apartheid but to remember that everything in life is possible. I want generations to come to draw on the fact that love conquers all.  I grew up in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats. There were six of us with my parents in a one-bedroom home for many years. Later, we moved to a two-bedroom home and before I knew it we were 10. My grandma was my idol and she took me with her to her work at a white family in Durbanville one day. The house was huge, the little girl’s playroom was almost as big as our entire home in Bonteheuwel. At 10-years-old, I asked God to help me to live in Durbanville one day. At that age, I could not understand why the world was the way it was and I asked many questions; no one really had answers.  When I was around 20, I met my husband. It was not my first encounter with a white person as my boss at my job at a meat factory was white. I remember how he would shout at me "Meit, roer jou gat! [Girl, move your ass]" I didn’t react well to situations like these, so I immediately told him: "you don’t speak to me like that". My mother, who got me the job and also worked there, gave me a look scary enough to stop me from retaliating.  My relationship with my husband blossomed but we were initially a secret. I ran away from home hoping for a new and improved life with Harry. I, of course, knew about Apartheid, but I was naïve. I didn’t anticipate how much open intimidation and hostility would come towards us. I was denied access to the first restaurant we tried to go to after we met. "We don’t allow her kind in here." I never wanted my skin colour to be different; I just wanted to be accepted for who I was. How was my skin colour going to ruin their food?! The Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act was repealed in 1985 and we were married in 1989. Our mixed marriage continued to put us in the firing line of discrimination. I never thought our marriage would stand a chance; there were just so many ways in which we did not fit. Our age difference, our race, our language barrier and our religion was against us as a couple. Now 30 years later, I can truly only thank God for His grace and mercy. We have two beautiful children; I gave birth to my son Brendan in 1990 and my daughter Amy in 1992. They are the best gift God could ever have given me. I tried my utmost to protect and fight for them, and to always speak only the best over them. I wanted them to have what I could not have growing up. I went to school with broken shoes or bare feet because we were eight brothers and sisters who all needed shoes. My kids being barefoot is because they enjoy walking without shoes.  The isolation and rejection I often felt from my community to my new home was huge for me and lead to many nervous breakdowns. The culture shock was devastating. I grew up in a community where everyone is involved and connected. I had to adapt to this new white world.  Many times people questioned me on who my children’s father was or if I was really their mother. This hurt. I reached a point where I felt my children would be better off without me. I thought at the time, that they looked like their dad and they live in a great community that's not ready for me. I was tired of feeling like I was disturbing the peace just by existing. The idea of ending my life grew heavy on my heart and I overdosed.  Today I believe whole–heartily that God walks a unique road with each and everyone one of us, whether we are willing or unwilling. This road may turn down many side-streets, but He stays close beside you, waiting to pick you up. I’ve lived a difficult life, and I’m thankful for the journey it's been, to be the happy person that I am today.  Adriana Glover’s book Die meisie van Bonteheuwel is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081ZD8VY4 Do you have a story to share? Send it to  [email protected]  and include your contact details and a photo. Visit  Landisa  for more stories. 02 Jul 2022 'It's unforgivable': Psychiatrist warned Deveney's alleged killer was high-risk but he was let loose 'Pigs were feeding on her arm': Son speaks of horror as he finds mum dead in a pigsty in Limpopo GNU partners gun for Justice Minister Thembi Simelane over VBS links Steenhuisen defends appointment of controversial right-winger in his office UPDATE | Only 34 of SA's municipalities achieve clean audits, signalling no improvement in local govt Indulge in the finer things News24's new magazine is curated for those who understand luxury and want to celebrate the richness of life. Free to listen for subscribers News24's August audiobook that’s free to listen to for subscribers is The CEO X Factor by KC Rottok Chesaina. Can you ace them all? Today’s crossword, wordflower, sudoku and weekly news quiz Friday Briefing - weekly Insight and analysis on the big political story of the week, plus a roundup of top columns and reader favourites. Use your voice to deepen the dialogue and engage with stories of courage, endurance, community, triumph, and the pursuit of truth in SA. Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24. 450 IMAGES Marriages Act The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages and Immorality Act by Lina Göring on AFL1501 4 💌 Prohibition of mixed marriages act. The prohibition of mixed 💣 Prohibition of mixed marriages act. The Prohibition of Mixed This day in history: The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act commences COMMENTS The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act in South Africa Learn about the apartheid law that banned interracial marriages in South Africa from 1949 to 1985. Find out how it was enacted, enforced, opposed, and repealed. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 An apartheid-era law in South Africa that banned marriages between whites and non-whites. Learn about its history, implementation, enforcement, and repeal, as well as related legislation and references. Essay On Mixed Marriages Act Learn about the history and impact of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, a racist law in apartheid South Africa that banned interracial marriages. Read two essays that explain the act's background, consequences, and repeal, as well as the importance of mixed marriages for social justice. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act commences Learn about the apartheid law that banned interracial marriages and relationships in South Africa from 1949 to 1985. Find out how it was enforced, challenged and repealed, and its impact on society. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No. 55 of 1949, was an apartheid-era law in South Africa that prohibited marriages between "whites" and "non-whites". It was among the first pieces of apartheid legislation to be passed following the National Party's rise to power in 1948. Subsequent legislation, especially the Population Registration and Immorality Acts of 1950, facilitated its ... While South Africa was segregated along race lines well before ... This article examines how the Chinese community in South Africa was affected by apartheid laws, especially the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act of 1949. It also explores how the Chinese identity was shaped by foreign relations, social acceptance, and legal classification. PDF The Implementation of Apartheid - The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, No 55 of 1949 - The Immorality Amendment Act, No 21 of 1950 - The Population Registration Act, No 30 of 1950 - The Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act, No 52 of 1951 - The Group Areas Act, No 41 of 1950 - The Bantu Education Act, No 47 of 1953 - The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act ... Attitudes towards interracial marriages in South Africa These anti-miscegenation laws were introduced by the apartheid government and formed part of its overall policy of separateness, which included pieces of legislation such as the Population registration and Group Areas Act. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was eventually repealed in June 1985 - by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed ... Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 This is the text of a South African law that banned interracial marriages between whites and non-whites. It was one of the first apartheid laws enacted by the National Party in 1949 and was repealed in 1985. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 The Act was to prohibit marriages between Europeans and non-Europeans in South Africa. SAHO provides a brief overview of the Act and its historical context, but does not offer an essay or analysis. Apartheid Legislation 1850's-1970's The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 The National Party in its early quest to implement social apartheid introduced the Mixed Marriages Act in 1949. This Act prohibited marriage between Whites and any other racial group. The Nationalists demonstrated in the parliamentary debate on this issue that they were concerned about ... 10 Questions About Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act Learn about the history and impact of the apartheid law that banned interracial marriages in South Africa. Find out how the act was implemented, enforced, opposed, and repealed, and what lessons we can learn from it. 1949. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act No 55 To search the O'Malley archive please click here. 1949. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act No 55. Contrary to everybody else, Dyzenhaus (1991: 41, note 22) dates this 1959, which is presumably a misprint. This act forbade marriages between Whites and non-Whites (Christopher 1994: 104). It was amended in 1968, and repealed in 1986 (Price 1991: 116). Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 Description: This is a copy of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949. This act forbade marriages between Whites and other races. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act No 55 of 1949 (commenced 8 July 1949) forbade marriages between Whites and other races. Included in SAHA's virtual exhibition 'Tracing the unbreakable thread ... Today, 67 years ago, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act commenced On July 1949, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 that prohibited marriage or a sexual relationship between White people and people of other race groups in South Africa is passed. The law was introduced by the apartheid government and part of its overall policy of separateness. South Africans were required to register as ... The Mixed Marriages Act (1949) : a theological critique based on the This thesis examines the interaction between church and state in South Africa regarding the anti-miscegenation law of 1949. It analyses the historical, biblical and theological arguments for and against the Act, and the changing attitudes of the churches over time. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 explained The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No. 55 of 1949, was an apartheid -era law in South Africa that prohibited marriages between "whites" and "non-whites". It was among the first pieces of apartheid legislation to be passed following the National Party 's rise to power in 1948. Subsequent legislation, especially the Population ... This day in history: The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act ... On this day in 1949, the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act that banned marriage or a sexual relationship between white people and people of other race groups in South Africa was passed. The law was introduced by the apartheid government as part of its overall policy of separateness. PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following ... Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949 The Act was to prohibit marriages between Europeans and non ... Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949. Keywords: TOPIC 150, LEGISLATION, SOCIAL IMPACT, MARRIAGE. Creator: Union of South Africa. Publisher: Government Printer. Date: 1949-07-08. Resource type: Legislation. Language: English. Coverage: SOUTH AFRICA . Source ... Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949/1968-03-27 Act. To prohibit marriages between Europeans and non-Europeans, and to provide for matters incidental thereto. (English text signed by the Governor-General.) (Assented to 1st July, 1949.) as amended by. Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act, No. 21 of 1968. B e it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House ... Landisa: I married a white man during apartheid, and the ... The Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act was repealed in 1985 and we were married in 1989. Our mixed marriage continued to put us in the firing line of discrimination. I never thought our marriage would stand a chance; there were just so many ways in which we did not fit. Our age difference, our race, our language barrier ... PDF Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act Repeal of Act 55 of 1949. 7. (1) The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949, is here-by repealed. 30. (2) Any of the parties to a marriage which, but for the provis ions of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949, would have been a valid marriage in the Republic, may with the con sent of the other party or, ifthe other party is deceased ... Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949 The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act of 1949 was an apartheid law passed in South Africa that prohibited marriage between whites and non-whites. It was one of the first pieces of legislation passed after the National Party rose to power in 1948. The act was implemented in 1951 and banned interracial marriages, applying also to marriages conducted abroad. People found violating the act faced ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review thesis