Natives Representative Council

Natives Representative Council
Pretoria City Hall c. 1920-1940
Type
Type	Advisory board
Term limits	None
History
Founded	1936
Disbanded	1951
Structure
Seats	22
Length of term	5 years[1]
Salary	£120/year + per diem[2]
Elections
First election	1937
Last election	1948
Meeting place
Multiple, including Pretoria City Hall[3]

The Natives Representative Council (NRC) was an advisory body that existed in South Africa from 1936 to 1951. Its primary function was to provide representation for Black South Africans who had been disenfranchised following the passage of the Representation of Natives Act in 1936. The NRC was established with 22 members. Six white members from the Department of Native Affairs, twelve elected African members, and four nominated African members selected by the Department of Native Affairs. The NRC had limited powers, and was unable to make laws or veto decisions, but it was allowed to make recommendations to the government. The NRC had an important role in shaping government policy towards Africans, and held great significance among the African population.

Following World War II, frustration among councilors grew as they expected discriminatory restrictions against Africans to be eased, only for the South African government to increase them. In August 1946, the NRC unanimously passed a motion to adjourn, expressing their disapproval of the government's policy of segregation and demanded the abolition of all discriminatory legislation. The councilors believed that if the NRC was adjourned, Parliament would be unable to pass African-related legislation, as such bills required consultation with the NRC first. In May 1947, Prime Minister Smuts proposed a policy of black self-government under a reformed NRC to end the adjournment. However, the councilors rejected the idea as Smuts refused to abolish discriminatory legislation. In the following year, D.F. Malan's National Party won the general election, defeating Smuts' United Party, and beginning their implementation of apartheid. The new government suggested that the councilors accept the apartheid legislation without voicing objections, but the NRC refused, leading to the eventual abolition of the council in 1951.

During its existence, critics claimed the NRC was nothing more than a tool for the white government to control the black population by granting them representation without real political power. This was due to the council's limited authority as it could only make recommendations to the government, which was under no obligation to implement them. The NRC's lack of autonomy also drew criticism, as it was established to represent Black South Africans, yet ultimately remained subject to the control of the South African government. Additionally, the NRC was criticised for failing to bring about any meaningful change.