#ThrowbackThursday: Inauguration of the Union of South Africa on Tuesday (May 31, 1910)

On May 31, 1902, following delegates of the Boer Republics’ agreement to accept the British proposals for peace, representatives of both sides signed the Treaty of Vereeniging, at Melrose House, Pretoria.

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The signing of the treaty paved the way for the establishment of the Union of South Africa. Eight years later, the Union was established, made up of four provinces; the Cape Colony, Natal (previously known as the Republic of Natalia), Orange River Colony (previously known as the Oranje Vrystaat) and the Transvaal (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek or ZAR).

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The Union of South Africa was the historic predecessor of what we know today to be the Republic of South Africa. The inauguration of the Republic happened on May 31, 1910, and included the territories which formerly formed part of the Boer republics (annexed in 1902).

After the First World War, the Union of South Africa was granted the administration of South West Africa, which was formerly under the German colonial power.

The Union of South Africa came to an end after the implementation of the new constitution on May 31, 1961, when it became known as a republic and disbanded from the Commonwealth, under the new name Republic of South Africa (RSA), by which it is still known today.

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• #ThrowbackThursday: February 27, 1881

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