Abolition of The Senate
In 1980, Prime Minister P.W Botha began a process of constitutional reform, and the Senate was abolished with effect from 1 January 1981. Some former Senators became members of an enlarged House of Assembly, chosen by the elected members. The President's Council, an advisory body consisting of white, coloured and Asian members only, occupied the former Senate chamber. In 1984, the chamber was converted for use as the House of Representatives, reserved for coloureds under the tricameral system. Black South Africans remained excluded from the political process.
Read more about this topic: Senate Of South Africa
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