Definition:
The Native (Black) Urban Areas Act No 21 of 1923 (commenced 14 June) divided South Africa into 'prescribed' (urban) and 'non-prescribed' (rural) areas, and strictly controlled the movement of Black males between the two. Each local authority was made responsible for the Blacks in its area and 'Native advisory boards' were set up to regulate the inflow of Black workers and to order the removal of 'surplus' Blacks (i.e. those not in employment).
Towns became almost exclusively white as a result – the only Blacks allowed to live in town were domestic workers.
Superseded by the Native (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act No 25 of 1945. Repealed by the Abolition of Influx Control Act No 68 of 1986.
