Rol van die Naturelle-adviesraad op plaaslike bestuursvlak in Bloemfontein, 1923-1948

Abstract

The Natives (Urban Areas) Act of 1923 required the establishment of a native advisory board in every black township under the control of an urban local authority. In Bloemfontein such an advisory board was also founded by the municipality. It consisted of twelve elected and three nominated members and was generally regarded as a step forward for blacks in Bloemfontein. The board advised the city council on matters such as the general welfare in the townships and on regulations, while at the same time also assisting in solving disputes. However, since it had at its disposal advisory powers only, there was no legal obligation on the part of the city council to carry out the board's recommendations. Although the advisory board was successful in handling issues such as higher wages (1929) and trading rights (1943), practical problems like black representation on local governmental bodies and the supply of essential services (e.g. electricity, water and sanitation) to the black townships, were never addressed. Attempts to bring about any meaningful improvement in the position of blacks in the townships thus failed.