1961 – South Africa Leaves the Commonwealth

Following the referendum of 5 October 1960, in which a narrow majority of White voters supported the creation of a republic, Prime Minister Dr Hendrik Verwoerd travelled to London in March 1961 to attend the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference. Although South Africa intended to become a republic on 31 May 1961, Verwoerd hoped the country could remain a member of the Commonwealth, as other republics had done. However, South Africa's policy of apartheid dominated discussions.

Several newly independent African nations, together with India and Canada, strongly opposed South Africa's continued membership. Their objections centred not on South Africa becoming a republic, but on the racial discrimination and political repression institutionalised under apartheid. By 15 March 1961, it had become clear that South Africa's application would not succeed. Rather than face a formal rejection, Verwoerd withdrew the application, declaring that he was doing so in the interests of South Africa's "honour and dignity."

On 31 May 1961, South Africa officially became a republic outside the Commonwealth. The country would remain internationally isolated for more than three decades before rejoining the Commonwealth in 1994, following the country's first democratic elections. For Kimberley, a city whose rapid growth during the diamond rush was closely linked to Britain and the wider British Empire, the departure marked the end of an important chapter. Many of the city's institutions, architecture and traditions had developed during the colonial era, making the break with the Commonwealth especially symbolic.

Did You Know?

South Africa remained outside the Commonwealth for 33 years. It was welcomed back on 1 June 1994, just weeks after Nelson Mandela became the country's first democratically elected President.