25th Anniversary of the Republic of South Africa
South Africa, Pretoria · 1986-05-30
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 30-05-1986 in Pretoria. It marks the 25th anniversary of the Republic of South Africa, established on 31 May 1961. The accompanying info card notes that the most significant constitutional change of the intervening 25 years was the new Constitution promulgated on 3 September 1984, which replaced the all-white parliament with a tricameral system.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet is simple and restrained. A dark green laurel wreath frames a silver embossed "25" above the years "1961-1986". Below, in matching silver script, sits the republic's motto "Ex Unitate Vires". The postmark repeats the wreath and number as a circular datestamp, struck twice in Pretoria alongside two 14c stamps. Each stamp carries a flag design and the phrase "Eendrag Maak Mag" in Afrikaans and "Unity is Strength" in English, tying the cachet and stamp design together around a single theme.
Information Card
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: 31 MAY 1986 Since the establishment of the Republic of South Africa 25 years ago, far-reaching constitutional reforms have taken place at all levels of government. This process of reform and constitutional development is continuing and affects all of South Africa's peoples. The most important single step in the process of constitutional reform since 1961 has undoubtedly been the promulgation on 3 September 1984 of the new Constitution in terms of which the former Whites-only parliament and an Executive were replaced by a tricameral Parliament and an Executive in which Whites, Coloureds and Indians are directly represented. Priority is now being given to the political accommodation of Black South Africans in government. A special Cabinet Committee is investigating the future constitutional arrangements with a view to achieving this. The Government accepts that any future arrangement must have as its basis an undivided South Africa, with one citizenship and political participation for all. The exact form the new order will take will be decided upon through negotiations between all South Africans who desire peace, prosperity and stability. Reforms are also taking place at the provincial and local levels. A new provincial dispensation to make provision for provincial matters affecting all population groups will come into effect by June 1986. At the local level legislation providing for uniform voting rights in respect of local government bodies, the training of local government personnel, the criteria for viable local authorities and the establishment of multiracial Regional Services Councils is being put into effect. This process of constitutional reform will result in a system of government that will guarantee the participation of all South Africa's communities at all levels of government and ensure peace, stability and prosperity for all. 25STE HERDENKING VAN DIE REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA: 31 MEI 1986 Sedert die totstandkoming van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika 25 jaar gelede het verreikende grondwetlike hervorming op alle regeringsvlakke plaasgevind. Hierdie proses van hervorming en staatkundige ontwikkeling duur steeds voort en raak al die bevolkingsgroepe van Suid-Afrika. Die belangrikste enkele stap in die proses van staatkundige hervorming sedert 1961 was ongetwyfeld die promulgering van die nuwe Grondwet op 3 September 1984, waardeur die vroeëre uitsluitlik Blanke parlement en uitvoerende gesag vervang is deur 'n driekamerparlement en 'n uitvoerende gesag waarin Blankes, Kleurlinge en Indiërs direkte verteenwoordiging het. Tans word voorrang verleen aan die politieke akkommodasie van Swart Suid-Afrikaners in die regering. 'n Spesiale kabinetskomitee stel ondersoek in na die toekomstige staatkundige opset waardeur dit bereik sal word. Die Regering aanvaar dat enige toekomstige opset moet berus op die grondslag van 'n onverdeelde Suid-Afrika met een burgerskap vir en politieke deelname deur almal. Die presiese vorm wat die nuwe orde sal aanneem, sal bepaal word deur onderhandelinge tussen alle Suid-Afrikaners wat vrede, voorspoed en stabiliteit nastrewe. Op die provinsiale en plaaslike vlak vind ook hervorming plaas. 'n Nuwe provinsiale bestel wat gemeenskaplike sake rakende al die bevolkingsgroepe op die provinsiale vlak sal behartig, sal teen Junie 1986 in werking tree. Wetgewing wat voorsiening maak vir uniforme stemgeregtigheid ten opsigte van plaaslike bestuursliggame, die opleiding van personeel vir sodanige liggame, die kriteria vir lewensvatbare plaaslike besture en die instelling van veelrassige streeksdienstrade word geïmplementeer. Hierdie proses van staatkundige ontwikkeling sal uitloop op 'n staatsbestel wat die deelname van al die bevolkingsgroepe van Suid-Afrika op alle vlakke van regering sal waarborg en wat vrede, bestendigheid en voorspoed vir almal sal verseker.
Theme: National Events
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.28 (ZAR)
SG reference: 598-599
SAPO serial number: 4.16
Estimated value: ~US$0.06
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 211 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
