HSY3704
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: August 2025
TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION
The Representation of Natives Act of 1936 formed a central pillar of General JBM Hertzog’s
segregationist vision for South Africa during the interwar period. Hertzog believed that racial
separation was essential for preserving white political dominance while providing limited,
controlled forms of representation for Black South Africans.
TOPIC 2
INTRODUCTION
The Bantustan policy, introduced in 1959 under the apartheid government, aimed to create
separate self-governing territories for different Black ethnic groups in South Africa. Officially
framed as a path toward political, economic, social, and educational self-determination, it
was presented as a solution to racial segregation.
TOPIC 3
INTRODUCTION
The revival and growth of the African National Congress (ANC) in the 1940s cannot be
attributed to a single cause, even though the Second World War played a significant role in
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION
The Representation of Natives Act of 1936 formed a central pillar of General JBM
Hertzog’s segregationist vision for South Africa during the interwar period. Hertzog
believed that racial separation was essential for preserving white political dominance
while providing limited, controlled forms of representation for Black South Africans.
The Act removed Black voters in the Cape from the common voters’ roll and
replaced this with a system of separate electoral representation through white
intermediaries. This change was accompanied by the Native Trust and Land Act,
which expanded land designated for Black ownership but reinforced territorial
segregation. Hertzog’s policies reflected a broader political compromise within the
United Party, balancing Afrikaner nationalist demands for racial exclusivity with
British-oriented interests seeking a measure of representation for Black citizens. The
legislation thus represented both the entrenchment of racial segregation and an
attempt to stabilise South Africa’s racially stratified political order (Beinart & Dubow,
1995; Giliomee, 2003).
LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Beinart, W & Dubow, S. (1995). Segregation and apartheid in South Africa.
London: Routledge.
Beinart and Dubow offer a detailed historical and analytical account of South Africa’s
segregation and apartheid systems, tracing their roots from colonial times through to
the height of apartheid. For the period under discussion, their work is significant for
showing how Hertzog’s 1936 legislation was part of a broader continuum of
segregationist policies that were both ideologically driven and economically
motivated. The authors explain that segregation in the interwar years was not a
sudden development but an intensification of policies that had already emerged in
the late 19th century. They situate the Representation of Natives Act within the
context of land dispossession under the 1913 Land Act and urban segregation under
the 1923 Natives (Urban Areas) Act, showing how these earlier measures paved the
way for the 1936 reforms.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
A strength of Beinart and Dubow’s analysis is their multi-layered approach, linking
political ideology to structural economic needs. They show that Hertzog’s insistence
on removing Black voters from the Cape common roll was not merely about race
ideology but also about consolidating white unity within the newly formed United
Party. By integrating parliamentary debates, political correspondence, and socio-
economic data, they provide evidence that Hertzog’s motives included both political
expediency and the desire to formalise racial boundaries. Their emphasis on
continuity is useful in challenging narratives that treat the 1936 Acts as isolated
events rather than as integral to South Africa’s segregationist trajectory.
This source is critical to the essay as it frames Hertzog’s actions within the wider
structural and ideological forces shaping South Africa during the interwar period. It
also highlights the influence of British colonial models of indirect rule, which informed
the creation of racially exclusive but representative councils for Black South Africans.
2. Davenport, T.R.H. & Saunders, C. (2000). South Africa: A modern history.
New York: MacMillan.
Davenport and Saunders provide one of the most comprehensive chronological
narratives of South African political history. Their treatment of the 1936
Representation of Natives Act is valuable for the depth of political detail and the
balance they bring to different perspectives on Hertzog’s motives. They explore how
Hertzog’s policy was shaped by the need to reconcile divergent constituencies within
the United Party — Afrikaner nationalists demanding the complete removal of Black
voters from the common roll and English-speaking moderates willing to permit some
form of representation.
A major strength of this work lies in its synthesis of political developments with
legislative milestones. The authors show that Hertzog’s move was also influenced by
the broader climate of white anxiety during the Great Depression, which heightened
fears of economic competition and social instability. Davenport and Saunders place
emphasis on the parliamentary debates surrounding the Representation of Natives
Bill, illustrating how its passage required a two-thirds majority and thus depended on
political compromise.
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: August 2025
TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION
The Representation of Natives Act of 1936 formed a central pillar of General JBM Hertzog’s
segregationist vision for South Africa during the interwar period. Hertzog believed that racial
separation was essential for preserving white political dominance while providing limited,
controlled forms of representation for Black South Africans.
TOPIC 2
INTRODUCTION
The Bantustan policy, introduced in 1959 under the apartheid government, aimed to create
separate self-governing territories for different Black ethnic groups in South Africa. Officially
framed as a path toward political, economic, social, and educational self-determination, it
was presented as a solution to racial segregation.
TOPIC 3
INTRODUCTION
The revival and growth of the African National Congress (ANC) in the 1940s cannot be
attributed to a single cause, even though the Second World War played a significant role in
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION
The Representation of Natives Act of 1936 formed a central pillar of General JBM
Hertzog’s segregationist vision for South Africa during the interwar period. Hertzog
believed that racial separation was essential for preserving white political dominance
while providing limited, controlled forms of representation for Black South Africans.
The Act removed Black voters in the Cape from the common voters’ roll and
replaced this with a system of separate electoral representation through white
intermediaries. This change was accompanied by the Native Trust and Land Act,
which expanded land designated for Black ownership but reinforced territorial
segregation. Hertzog’s policies reflected a broader political compromise within the
United Party, balancing Afrikaner nationalist demands for racial exclusivity with
British-oriented interests seeking a measure of representation for Black citizens. The
legislation thus represented both the entrenchment of racial segregation and an
attempt to stabilise South Africa’s racially stratified political order (Beinart & Dubow,
1995; Giliomee, 2003).
LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Beinart, W & Dubow, S. (1995). Segregation and apartheid in South Africa.
London: Routledge.
Beinart and Dubow offer a detailed historical and analytical account of South Africa’s
segregation and apartheid systems, tracing their roots from colonial times through to
the height of apartheid. For the period under discussion, their work is significant for
showing how Hertzog’s 1936 legislation was part of a broader continuum of
segregationist policies that were both ideologically driven and economically
motivated. The authors explain that segregation in the interwar years was not a
sudden development but an intensification of policies that had already emerged in
the late 19th century. They situate the Representation of Natives Act within the
context of land dispossession under the 1913 Land Act and urban segregation under
the 1923 Natives (Urban Areas) Act, showing how these earlier measures paved the
way for the 1936 reforms.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
A strength of Beinart and Dubow’s analysis is their multi-layered approach, linking
political ideology to structural economic needs. They show that Hertzog’s insistence
on removing Black voters from the Cape common roll was not merely about race
ideology but also about consolidating white unity within the newly formed United
Party. By integrating parliamentary debates, political correspondence, and socio-
economic data, they provide evidence that Hertzog’s motives included both political
expediency and the desire to formalise racial boundaries. Their emphasis on
continuity is useful in challenging narratives that treat the 1936 Acts as isolated
events rather than as integral to South Africa’s segregationist trajectory.
This source is critical to the essay as it frames Hertzog’s actions within the wider
structural and ideological forces shaping South Africa during the interwar period. It
also highlights the influence of British colonial models of indirect rule, which informed
the creation of racially exclusive but representative councils for Black South Africans.
2. Davenport, T.R.H. & Saunders, C. (2000). South Africa: A modern history.
New York: MacMillan.
Davenport and Saunders provide one of the most comprehensive chronological
narratives of South African political history. Their treatment of the 1936
Representation of Natives Act is valuable for the depth of political detail and the
balance they bring to different perspectives on Hertzog’s motives. They explore how
Hertzog’s policy was shaped by the need to reconcile divergent constituencies within
the United Party — Afrikaner nationalists demanding the complete removal of Black
voters from the common roll and English-speaking moderates willing to permit some
form of representation.
A major strength of this work lies in its synthesis of political developments with
legislative milestones. The authors show that Hertzog’s move was also influenced by
the broader climate of white anxiety during the Great Depression, which heightened
fears of economic competition and social instability. Davenport and Saunders place
emphasis on the parliamentary debates surrounding the Representation of Natives
Bill, illustrating how its passage required a two-thirds majority and thus depended on
political compromise.
