The House of Representatives ( af, Raad van Verteënwoordigers) was an 80-seat body in the
Tricameral Parliament
The Tricameral Parliament, officially the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, was the legislature of South Africa between 1984 and 1994, established by the South African Constitution of 1983, which gave a limited political voice to ...
of
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
which existed from 1984-1994. It was reserved for
Coloured
Coloureds ( af, Kleurlinge or , ) refers to members of multiracial ethnic communities in Southern Africa who may have ancestry from more than one of the various populations inhabiting the region, including African, European, and Asian. South ...
South Africans. The body was elected twice; in 1984 and 1989. Electoral turnouts for the House of Representatives were poor.
The House of Representatives met in the former
Senate chamber in the
Houses of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Informally known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace lies on the north ban ...
,
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
. The executive arm of the House of Representatives was a Ministers' Council, led by a Chairman. The civil service that dealt with Coloured "own affairs" (including education, health and welfare, local government, housing and agriculture) was called the Administration: House of Representatives, and was based in
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
.
Results
In 1984, the House was dominated by the
Labour Party, which won 76 of the 80 seats.
In 1989, the Labour Party lost support but still maintained a majority of seats with 69. Other parties represented included the
Democratic Reform Party,
United Democratic Party,
Freedom Party and 2 independents. The 1989 house was almost entirely dominated by men, with only 1 female elected.
Chairman of the Ministers' Council
*
Helenard "Allan" Hendrickse (September 1984 - 3 February 1992)
*Jakobus "Jac" A. Rabie (3 February 1992 - March 1994)
References
{{reflist
Defunct national legislatures
Defunct organisations based in South Africa
Apartheid government
Organisations associated with apartheid
1984 establishments in South Africa
1994 disestablishments in South Africa
Coloured South African people