South African general election, 1961

South Africa

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of South Africa

Constitution Bill of Rights Government Executive President Jacob Zuma Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe Cabinet Shadow Cabinet Legislative Parliament National Council of Provinces Chairperson M. J. Mahlangu National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu Leader of the Opposition Helen Zille (national) Athol Trollip (parliament) Judiciary Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo Pres. of Supreme Court of Appeal Lex Mpati Courts Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal High Court Magistrates' Courts Elections General: 1910 1915 1920 1921 1924 1929 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1961 1966 1970 1974 1977 1981 1984 1987 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 Municipal: 2000 2006 2011 Referendums: 1960 1983 1992 Administrative divisions Provinces Districts (MMs, DMs) Municipalities (list) Other Political parties Foreign relations

Other countries · Atlas Politics portal view • talk • edit

The 1961 South African general election was the first general election after South Africa became a republic following the 1960 South African referendum. The National Party under Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd won a majority.

The National Union Party - led by J.D. du P. Basson and ex-Chief Justice Fagan in alliance with the United Party - had been formed as a "bridge" to the United Party for moderate nationalists who were unhappy with Verwoerd's leadership, but the party failed and later merged with the United Party.

This election also saw the first appearance of the liberal Progressive Party , in the form of Helen Suzman. She was to remain its sole parliamentary representative until 1974.

v • d • e Elections and referendums in South Africa General elections 1910 · 1915 · 1920 · 1921 · 1924 · 1929 · 1933 · 1938 · 1943 · 1948 · 1953 · 1958 · 1961 · 1966 · 1970 · 1974 · 1977 · 1981 · 1984 · 1987 · 1989 · 1994 · 1999 · 2004 · 2009 Municipal elections 2000 · 2006 · 2011 Referendums 1960 · 1983 · 1992

This South African elections-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e