The Cape Qualified Franchise South Africa Act 1909

the cape colony had long adhered system of non-racial franchise, whereby qualifications suffrage applied equally males, regardless of race. during union negotiations, last cape prime minister, john x. merriman, , sir walter stanford, representing transkei , other african communities, fought unsuccessfully have multi-racial franchise system extended rest of south africa. attempt failed in face of opposition white governments of other constituent states, determined entrench white rule.

the south africa act permitted cape province keep restricted version of traditional franchise, whereby qualifications limited suffrage of citizens according education , wealth. led cape being province in south africa coloureds (mixed-race people) , black africans vote. act permitted parliament of south africa prescribe other voting qualifications.

however, according act, parliament given power change cape s voting requirements two-thirds vote. on following years, legislation passed parliament erode colour-blind voters roll.

in 1931, remaining franchise qualifications, except age limit of 21, removed white voters, kept in place black , coloured voters (including demand voters male). in 1956, apartheid government removed remaining suffrage rights non-whites in became known coloured vote constitutional crisis.

overall act did little protect black africans during time period in south africa act constitution of south africa, , enabled establishing of fifty years of apartheid , racial discrimination.