Election
The National Party majority in the House of Assembly increases from 13 to 29. The National Party increases its seats in the House of Assembly from 86 to 94. The election is dominated by the political rights of Coloureds
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1953 in South Africa
Explore 20 historical events and records for South Africa in 1953.
Historical records for South Africa in 1953
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 20 of 20 unique records.
20Unique records
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11Named events on this page
8Named people on this page
4Places on this page
April
May
Liberal Party
Helps found the Liberal Party, in protest at the colour policy of the United Party. Calls for an end to all racial discrimination
Liberal Party
Helps found the Liberal Party, in protest at the colour policy of the United Party. Calls for an end to all racial discrimination
October
Apartheid Education System
The system imposes racially segregated schooling under apartheid.
Bantu Education Act
Promotes legislation transferring African education to state control.
Other events (month unknown)
Election
In the 1953 election the United Party under Strauss lost seven seats, while their opponents the National Party gained twenty-five more seats and a majority in Parliament. Following the election, the United Party suffered two splits, creating the Liberal Party and the Union Federal Party
Legislation
Bantu Education Act, African education is moved to the Native Affairs Dept.
Legislation
Native Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Act, prohibits strike action by blacks.
Legislation
Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, access to public amenities is based on race.
Legislation
Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, imposes a coloured bar in all public buildings.
Legislation
The Criminal Law Amendment Act is passed to suppress public unrest.
Legislation
The Public Safety Act is passed enabling the declaration of a state of emergency.
Legislation
Bantu Education Act, African education is moved to the Native Affairs Dept
Liberal Party
Following the election, the United Party suffered two splits, creating the Liberal Party and the Union Federal Party
M-Plan Devised
Develops the ANC organisational strategy known as the M-Plan.
Meadowlands
A settlement area for 13 "ethnic groups" is created outside Johannesburg
Parliamentary Seat Won
Vorster entered the House of Assembly as a National Party member for Nigel and began his rise through national politics.
State of Emergency
The Public Safety Act is passed enabling the declaration of a state of emergency
Underground Organisational Plan
Plans decentralised structures able to survive government repression.
Union Federal Party
Following the election, the United Party suffered two splits, creating the Liberal Party and the Union Federal Party
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.