Governor-General of South Africa

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File:South African Viceregal Flag 1953-1961.gif Standard of the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa
Style	His Excellency The Right Honourable
Appointer	King/Queen of South Africa

The Governor-General of the Union of South Africa was the representative of the British (1910-1931) and later South African Crown (1931-1961) in the Union of South Africa between 31 May 1910 and 31 May 1961. The Union of South Africa was a Commonwealth Realm in which Queen Elizabeth II was given the title Queen of South Africa, although she never visited the country in that capacity.

Some of the first holders of the post were members of the British Royal Family including Prince Arthur of Connaught, between 1920 and 1923, and the Earl of Athlone, who served between 1923 and 1930, before becoming the Governor General of Canada. As in other Dominions, this would change, with only local South African citizens holding the office.

The office was established by the South Africa Act 1909.

Republicanism

The Afrikaner-dominated National Party, which came to power in 1948, was avowedly republican, and regarded South Africa's links with the other Commonwealth realms as a relic of British imperialism. Under the National Party, the office of Governor-General was held by retired government ministers, who chose not to wear the traditional Windsor uniform composed of a blue military jacket and plumed hat. In 1957, God Save the Queen ceased to have equal status with Die Stem van Suid-Afrika as a national anthem, and the Union Flag similarly ceased to have equal status with the South African flag.

However, it was not until 1960 that the Prime Minister, Hendrik Verwoerd, advised the Governor-General to hold a referendum on the issue. After several protests regarding the lowering of the voting age to 18, and the inclusion of white voters in South West Africa, on October 5, 1960, South Africa's whites were asked: "Are you in favour of a Republic for the Union?" The result was 52 per cent in favour of the change.

Charles Robberts Swart, the last Governor-General, left office on April 30, 1961 and Lucas Cornelius Steyn become Officer Administering the Government under a transitional arrangement, until May 31, 1961, when Republic of South Africa was declared and Charles Robberts Swart become its first State President.

List of Governors-General of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961)

#	Term start	Term end	Period	Title	Monarch	Prime Minister
1	31 May 1910	8 September 1914	4 years, 100 days	The Right Hon. Herbert Gladstone, 1st Viscount Gladstone, GCB, GCMG, GBE, PC	George V	Botha
2	8 September 1914	17 November 1920	6 years, 70 days	The Right Hon. Sydney Charles Buxton, Viscount Buxton of Newtimber, GCMG, PC (from 8 November 1920, The Right Hon. 1st Earl Buxton)	George V	Botha
3	17 November 1920	7 December 1923	3 years, 20 days	HRH Prince Arthur Frederick Patrick Albert of Connaught, KG, KT, KP, PC, CB, GCMG, GCVO, GCStJ	George V	Smuts
	7 December 1923	21 January 1924	45 days	The Right Hon. Sir James Rose-Innes (Officer Administering the Government)	George V	Smuts
4	21 January 1924	26 January 1931	7 years, 5 days	Major-General the Right Hon. Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone, KG, PC, GCB, GMMG, GCVO, DSO, ADC(P), FRS	George V	Smuts
5	26 January 1931	5 April 1937	6 years, 69 days	The Right Hon. George Villiers, 6th Earl of Clarendon(national party), KG, PC	George V	Hertzog
6	5 April 1937	17 July 1943	6 years, 103 days	The Right Hon. Sir Patrick Duncan(united party), PC	George VI	Hertzog
	17 July 1943	1 January 1946	2 years, 168 days	The Right Hon. Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet(united party), PC (Officer Administering the Government)	George VI	Smuts
7	1 January 1946	1 January 1951	5 years, 0 days	The Right Hon. Gideon Brand van Zyl(united party), PC	George VI	Smuts
8	1 January 1951	25 November 1959	8 years, 328 days	The Right Hon. Ernest George Jansen (national party)	George VI	Malan
	26 November 1959	11 December 1959	15 days	The Right Hon. Lucas Cornelius Steyn, KC (1st time, Officer Administering the Government)	Elizabeth II	Verwoerd
9	11 December 1959	30 April 1961	1 year, 140 days	The Right Hon. Charles Robberts Swart(national party)	Elizabeth II	Verwoerd
	30 April 1961	31 May 1961	31 days	The Right Hon. Lucas Cornelius Steyn, KC (2nd time, Officer Administering the Government)	Elizabeth II	Verwoerd

See also

• State President of South Africa
• President of South Africa
• List of Prime Ministers of South Africa