Records of the Liberal Party of South Africa

Scope and Content

Periodicals, pamphlets, flyers and press-cuttings, including: issues of Contact (Pietermaritzburg), Liberal Party News, Liberal Party Opinion, Transkei Liberal News, Cape Liberal News, Transvaal Division Liberal News, Policies of the Liberal Party, Blueprint for the Future, National Chairman's Reports, and Non-Racial Democracy.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Liberal Party, formed in 1954, was represented in Parliament by two Senators and three 'Native Representatives'. From 1959 it stood for the immediate adoption of a non-racial franchise. Its greatest influence was in the early sixties when it had nearly 5,000 members, over half of whom were black. It was disbanded in 1968 after the passing of the Improper Interference Bill made illegal the multi-racial membership of political parties.

Access Information

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws.

Note

The Liberal Party, formed in 1954, was represented in Parliament by two Senators and three 'Native Representatives'. From 1959 it stood for the immediate adoption of a non-racial franchise. Its greatest influence was in the early sixties when it had nearly 5,000 members, over half of whom were black. It was disbanded in 1968 after the passing of the Improper Interference Bill made illegal the multi-racial membership of political parties.

Conditions Governing Use

A reprographics service is available to researchers subject to the access restrictions outlined above. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

Additional Information

Published

GB 193

Geographical Names