The United Kingdom of Southern Africa (UKOSA) is a non-political and non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to advocating for the democratic Rights of indigenous traditional leaders (Amakhosi) and their communities within the Republic of South Africa. The organization seeks to inform citizens about their democratic right to participate in referendums, particularly on matters related to the constitution, sovereignty, land & minerals, immigration, war, and the economy.
Thirty years after 1994, landless Indigenous communities remain affected by Apartheid-era laws and systemic oppression that restricted their role on political decision making and economic opportunities. The land issue was not fully resolved during the 1992-94 negotiations as indigenous traditional leaders were not consulted although they were the first ones historically to resist colonization. Today our politicians are forming coalitions with parties that aim to represent the interests of minority groups who hold a significant portion of the land thus leaving the majority landless Black communities in poverty. There have also been reports of corruption and concerns about the welfare of economically disadvantaged Black South Africans.
It is for this reason UKOSA was formed to continue raising these issues and to continuously hold politicians accountable. UKOSA is the voice of the voiceless and your support either through joining for membership or donation will give this organization a muscle to finally get the true freedom indigenous leaders and their communities demand in their mother land.
5 October 1960
A referendum on establishing a republic was held on 5 October 1960. This 'whites-only' vote resulted in the formation of the Republic of South Africa, accompanied by a new Constitution.
Revolutionary movements, including the African National Congress (ANC), played a significant role in this issue. The adoption of this aspect of the resolution did not indicate that the conference preferred a monarchy over a republican form of government; such distinctions were deemed unimportant and irrelevant. What was paramount, as repeatedly emphasized by delegates, was that a minority government had chosen to declare a White Republic, under which the living conditions of the African populace would continue to deteriorate.
Black South Africans, who were denied a vote in the referendum, were not opposed to the establishment of a republic per se, but viewed the new constitution as a direct rejection of the principle of one person, one vote, as articulated in the Freedom Charter drafted by the ANC and its allies in the Congress Alliance. Despite its opposition to the monarchy and the Commonwealth, the ANC aimed to mobilize both white and black opposition to the republic, perceiving it as an attempt by Verwoerd to solidify white dominance over power. This was a statement by Nelson Mandela.
The referendum passed by 52.29 % YES votes.
2 November 1983 Referendum
On 2 November 1983, a referendum was held in South Africa to determine whether the white population would approve or reject the Constitution of 1983.
This constitution established the Tricameral Parliament, which allowed for separate parliamentary representation for Coloured and Indian South Africans, while black Africans, who constituted the majority of the population, were left unrepresented. The referendum passed with 66.3% of voters casting a "Yes" vote, leading to the new constitution taking effect on 3 September 1984.
The response of Coloured, Indian and black leaders were mixed. The new constitution was rejected by most Bantustan leaders and the Urban Councils Association of South Africa (representing the black township administrations) because it did not provide for black representation. Coloured and Indian parties that intended to participate in the Tricameral Parliament but also insisted on extending representation to the black majority.[2] The United Democratic Front (UDF) was launched as a non-racial coalition to oppose the referendum and the subsequent elections for the coloured and Indian chambers in parliament.
1992 Referendum
A referendum on ending apartheid was held in South Africa on 17 March 1992. The referendum was limited to white South African voters,[1][2] who were asked whether or not they supported the negotiated reforms begun by State President F. W. de Klerk two years earlier, in which he proposed to end the apartheid system that had been implemented since 1948. The result of the election was a large victory for the 68.73 "yes" side, which ultimately resulted in apartheid being lifted. This was the last occasion in which only the white electorate took part. Universal suffrage was introduced two years later for the country's first non-racial elections.
The ANC had initially disapproved the referendum, mainly because whites were the only ones allowed to vote. But since a "No" vote would not only risk the negotiations but also increase the political chaos in the country, and since it had no reason to advocate that whites oppose the negotiations, the ANC advocated a "Yes" vote
July 2007
Several important points should be emphasized regarding these three national referendums:
1. The electorate consisted solely of white voters.
2. The establishment of the Republic from the Union of South Africa did not signify a genuine quest for freedom; rather, it represented yet another manifestation of white supremacy imposed by the Afrikaners over the Black majority, which elucidates the rationale behind the implementation of apartheid laws.
3. The 1992 referendum provided a pivotal opportunity for all citizens to engage in the democratic process aimed at dismantling apartheid; unfortunately, this potential was not fully realized.
4. The subsequent negotiations should have incorporated Amakhosi (traditional leaders) alongside politicians.
5. The amendments to the Referendums Act of 1992 were motivated by ulterior motives, as they conferred additional powers to the state president. This aligns with the observation that all presidents effectively acted as puppets, reinforced by the fact that no referendums were held for thirty years, in stark contrast to the apartheid government, which conducted three national referendums within 32 years.
In light of these observations, UKOSA is advocating for a national referendum based on the outcomes of 1960 and 1992, highlighting that indigenous leaders and their communities were denied their democratic right and freedom to determine the type of country and constitution they desired.
Material donations such as stationery, used projectors, and used computer laptops or desktops can be arranged for collection, but must be scheduled by telephone.
When it comes to cash, our donation minimum is R10 which can be deposited to a Capitec Bank Account, Account Holder: UKOSA, .Account Number: 1054229368, Branch : Boksburg Branch
UNITED KINGDOM OF SOUTHERN AFRICA is a CIPC registered non profit making company.
UKOSA is a non-racial, non-tribal lobby group open to all South African citizens, including those from Lesotho and Swaziland, as well as individuals from the SADAC region. We welcome volunteers to join with an annual membership fee of R10. Application forms can be found under the Volunteers menu button.
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