Everything about Governor-general Of The Union Of South Africa totally explained
The
Governor-General of the Union of South Africa was the representative of the
British (1910-1931) and later
South Aftican Crown (1931-1961) in
South Africa between
May 31,
1910 and
May 31,
1961. The Union of South Africa was a
Commonwealth Realm in which
Queen Elizabeth II was given the title "Queen of South Africa", although she never visited the country in that capacity.
Some of the first holders of the post were members of the
British Royal Family including
Prince Arthur of Connaught, between
1920 and
1923, and the
Earl of Athlone, who served between
1923 and
1930, before becoming the
Governor General of Canada. As in other
Dominions, this would change, with only local (white)
South African citizens holding the office.
Republicanism
The Afrikaner-dominated
National Party, which came to power in
1948, was avowedly
republican, and regarded South Africa's
links with the other
Commonwealth realms as a relic of British imperialism. Under the National Party, the office of
Governor-General was held by retired government ministers, who pointedly didn't wear the traditional
Windsor uniform composed of a blue military jacket and plumed hat. In
1957, "
God Save the Queen" ceased to have equal status with "
Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" as a
national anthem, and the
Union Flag similarly ceased to have equal status with the South African flag.
However, it wasn't until
1960 that the
Prime Minister,
Hendrik Verwoerd, advised the Governor-General to hold a
referendum on the issue. After several protests regarding the lowering of the voting age to 18, and the inclusion of white voters in
South West Africa, on
October 5 1960, South Africa's whites were asked: "Do you support a republic for the Union?" The result was 52 per cent in favour of the change.
Charles Robberts Swart, the last Governor-General, became
Officer Administering the Government in April,
1961, under a transitional arrangement, before he was sworn in as the first
State President of the Republic of South Africa on
May 31 of that year.
Governors-General of the Union of South Africa
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