Report of the Native Affairs Commission for the years 1927-1947 (incomplete)
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Date
1932
Authors
South Africa. Native Affairs Commission
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Government Printer
Abstract
The Native Affairs Commission produced a five year report for the period 1927- 1931. During this period, members of the Commission attended meetings of the Select Committee of both Houses of Parliament on the proposed Native Bill. In June 1930, the members also became part of the Native Economic Commission, and took part in all of the journeys, investigations and discussions of the Commission. They remained with the Commission until the completion of its work in early 1932. In December 1930, the Commission attended the Native Conference, convened under the terms of the Native Affairs Act, 1920. Appendix D of the report contains a general statement of the proceedings of this conference. Appendix C of the report contains a statement regarding the financial position of the Native Development Account, as well as a brief statement concerning the inception and progress of the account. The Account was established to further Native education, and to provide for the advancement and welfare of the Native people. The 1936 report deals with the Native Trust and Land Act no. 18 of 1936, which made provision for the setting aside of 13% of land in South Africa for the Black population. The 1937-1938 report deals in some detail with the Native Laws Amendment Act of 1937 and the Native Urban Areas Act of 1923. The Native Laws Amendment Act restricted the free movement of Black people, and placed constraints on the number of Black people allowed to reside in urban areas. The 1937-1938 report also deals with Black ownership of land in the Trust areas and the establishment of industries in Native areas. The 1939-1940 report deals with the economic implications of the Native Policy, and in particular with the 1932 report of the Native Economic Commission. The Native Affairs Commission based their Native economic policy on this report. The 1945-1946 report contains a summary of developments which took place during the two years, with regards to Native Affairs. It also deals with land purchased in terms of the Native Land and Trust Act, the rehabilitation of the reserves, education, housing and mission hospitals. The 1946-1947 report emphasizes the fact that South Africa was undergoing a period of rapid industrialisation . As a result of this, Black families were moving to the industrial areas in search of work. The report acknowledges that “this process of urbanization has come to stay”. The report also deals with tours that the Commission undertook to deal with land matters in Natal, Eastern Cape, the Free State and the Transvaal.
Description
Keywords
Land ownership--South Africa, Urbanization--South Africa, Black labour---South Africa, Native reserves--South Africa