- Ph.D., History, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- M.A., History, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- B.A./B.S, History and Zoology, University of Florida
Formally, there have been no interracial marriages under Apartheid, however in reality, the image ended up being a great deal more complicated.
The Laws
Apartheid rested regarding the separation of events at every degree, and preventing interracial sexual relations ended up being a crucial little bit of that. The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act from 1949 clearly prevented white folks from marrying individuals of other events, and also the Immorality Acts prevented individuals of various events from having extra-marital intimate relations. Furthermore, the 1950 Group Areas Act prevented individuals of various events from surviving in exactly the same communities, not to mention the house that is same.
Yet despite all this, there have been some marriages that are interracial although the law would not see them as interracial, and there were other partners whom broke the Immorality Acts and had been frequently jailed or fined because of it.
Unofficial Interracial Marriages Under Apartheid
The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act ended up being one of many steps that are first starting Apartheid, however the legislation only criminalized the solemnization of blended marriages, perhaps maybe maybe not the marriages on their own. There have been a number that is small of marriages ahead of that legislation, even though there is very little news protection provided to these folks during Apartheid, their marriages are not immediately annulled.
Secondly, regulations against blended marriages failed to connect with non-white individuals, and there were proportionally more interracial marriages between individuals classified as “native” (or African) and that is“Coloured Indian.
The law did not see them as interracial while there were in effect “mixed” marriages. Racial classification under Apartheid had been based instead of biology, but on social perception and one’s relationship.
A lady whom married a guy of some other battle ended up being, henceforth, classified to be of their competition. Her selection of spouse defined her race. The exclusion for this was if your white guy hitched a girl of some other battle. He then took on her behalf competition. Their option had marked him, into the eyes of white Apartheid Southern Africa, as non-white. Therefore, the legislation didn’t see these as interracial marriages, but there have been marriages between individuals who before the passing of these regulations was in fact regarded as of various races.
Extra-Marital Interracial Relations
The Prohibition Against Mixed Marriages and the Immorality Acts were strictly enforced despite the loopholes created by pre-existing mixed marriages and non-white interracial marriages. White people could maybe perhaps maybe not marry folks of other events, and no interracial partners could 
take part in extra-marital relations that are sexual. Nevertheless, intimate and romantic relationships did develop between white and non-white or individuals that are non-European.
The very fact that interracial relations were so taboo made them appealing, and people engaged in interracial sexual relations as a form of social rebellion or for the excitement it offered for some individuals. Interracial relations was included with severe dangers, however. The authorities observed those who had been suspected of doing interracial relations. They raided homes within the evening and inspected bedsheets and underwear, confiscating something that they thought revealed proof interracial relations. Those discovered responsible of violating the Immorality Acts encountered fines, prison time, and social censure.
There have been relationships that are also long-term had to exist in key or be camouflaged as other styles of relationships. As an example, many domestic employees had been African females, and thus a couple that is interracial camouflage their relations because of the guy employing the girl as his maid, but rumors often distribute and such partners had been additionally harassed because of the authorities. Any mixed-race young ones created to your girl would provide clear proof of an interracial relationship.
Post-Apartheid Interracial Marriages
The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages and Immorality Acts were repealed into the mid-1980s throughout the loosening of Apartheid. When you look at the initial years, interracial partners nevertheless faced significant discrimination that is social all events, but interracial relations are becoming more widespread once the years pass. In the last few years, partners have actually reported far less pressures that are social harassment.