Records of the Progressive Party (South Africa)

Periodicals, fact papers, and pamphlets, including: Progress (newspaper of Transvaal division) October 1963 - May 1964; The Progressive (Cape division), May 1965; Progressive News (Natal), January 1966; fact papers on pass laws, education, influx control, and Progressive constitutional policy; pamphlets on party policy and the 1976 Soweto riots.

The Progressive Party was formed in 1959 after a split in the opposition United Party over land policy. Twelve members of parliament seceded and in 1961 stood for re-election on a gradualist reform programme. The reform programme included a non-racial qualified franchise proposal. Eleven lost their seats; the surviving member, Mrs Helen Suzman, was the party's sole parliamentary representative until 1974. The party was strengthened after the 1974 election (in which it won seven seats) by a second split in the United Party, led by Harry Swartz. A Reform Party was founded which in 1976 amalgamated with the Progressives to become the Progressive Reform Party. In September 1977 the PRP and the newly formed New Republic Party merged to become the Progressive Federal Party (PFP). In the 1977 elections the PFP gained 17 seats, and became the largest group in the parliamentary opposition.

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws.

The Progressive Party was formed in 1959 after a split in the opposition United Party over land policy. Twelve members of parliament seceded and in 1961 stood for re-election on a gradualist reform programme. The reform programme included a non-racial qualified franchise proposal. Eleven lost their seats; the surviving member, Mrs Helen Suzman, was the party's sole parliamentary representative until 1974. The party was strengthened after the 1974 election (in which it won seven seats) by a second split in the United Party, led by Harry Swartz. A Reform Party was founded which in 1976 amalgamated with the Progressives to become the Progressive Reform Party. In September 1977 the PRP and the newly formed New Republic Party merged to become the Progressive Federal Party (PFP). In the 1977 elections the PFP gained 17 seats, and became the largest group in the parliamentary opposition.

A reprographics service is available to researchers subject to the access restrictions outlined above. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

Further accruals are not expected.

Published

GB 193