Tuesday, July 8, 2025

ON THIS DAY


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July 8, 1949

Prohibition of mixed marriages in South Africa

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, which began this day in 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.

The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was repealed by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act, 1985, which was passed during the presidency of P. W. Botha.

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