Constitution of South Africa
Legislation is prepared to establish the Republic of South Africa
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1961 in South Africa
Explore 62 historical events and records for South Africa in 1961.
Historical records for South Africa in 1961
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 62 unique records.
62Unique records
1 of 2Page
29Named events on this page
8Named people on this page
5Places on this page
January
March
Commonwealth
South Africa withdraws from the Commonwealth
Congress Defendant Acquitted
Leaves court without conviction on the treason charges.
Treason Charges Dismissed
The court rejects the state high treason case.
Treason Trial Acquittal
Is acquitted with the remaining Treason Trial defendants.
Treason Trial Acquittal
Is acquitted at the conclusion of the Treason Trial.
All-In African Conference Mandate
Warns of mass action if government refuses negotiations.
Commonwealth
Tries to keep South Africa within the Commonwealth but is forced to withdraw membership
Conference of Commonwealth
Tries to keep South Africa within the Commonwealth but is forced to withdraw membership
National Convention Demand
Calls for a national convention on South Africa future.
April
Commonwealth
South Africa leaves the Commonwealth. Despite leaving the Commonwealth preferential trade would continue
May
National Strike Campaign
Organises protest demanding a democratic constitutional convention.
Republic Stay-at-Home
Calls for a national stay-at-home against the new republic.
Commonwealth
South Africas membership of the Commonwealth is terminated
Constitution of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa comes into existence
First State President
Becomes the first State President of the Republic of South Africa.
Government
Verwoerd forms a republican ministry
Republic Head of State
Replaces the governor-general as republican head of state.
Strike
Incites strike action
June
Anniversary
Threatens a nationwide campaign of non-co-operation. Releases a press release calling for a national constitutional convention
Constitution of South Africa
Releases a press release calling for a national constitutional convention
Armed Struggle
Raises the question of armed struggle with the Working Committee
Armed Struggle
Raises the question of armed struggle with the National Executive. Authorized by Congress to form a military organisation, separate from the ANC
Armed Wing Leadership
Begins organising Umkhonto we Sizwe as a separate military structure.
Asked to Lead Umkhonto we Sizwe
Is asked to lead the ANC newly created armed wing.
August
Cabinet Appointment
Enters Cabinet as minister of community development and Coloured affairs.
Coloured Persons Reserves Act
Coloured Persons Reserves Act, apartheid legislation
Community Development Portfolio
Administers policies connected with apartheid urban restructuring.
Election
Brings the election forward to October 1961
Legislation
Urban Bantu Councils Act, apartheid legislation. Preservation of Coloured Areas Act, apartheid legislation
Legislation
Coloured Persons Reserves Act, apartheid legislation
Minister of Coloured Affairs
Appointed Minister of Coloured Affairs
Minister of Housing
Appointed Minister of Housing
Minister of Justice
Appointed Minister of Justice
Urban Bantu Councils Act
Urban Bantu Councils Act, apartheid legislation
October
Election
The National Party wins 105 seats & the United Party wins 53 seats
November
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Founds Umkhonto we Sizwe, "The Spear of the Nation". Founds the High Command of the Umkhonto we Sizwe
December
Bombing of Umkhonto
Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe
Bombing of Umkhonto
Killed during the planting of bombs at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto
Bombing of Umkhonto
Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe. A bombing campaign held on the Afikaner Dinganes day, anniversarry Blood River
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.