The South African Republic

• In 1960, an all-white referendum supported Verwoerd's policy to establish South Africa as a republic. Verwoerd was influenced by the international reaction to Sharpeville, which was widely condemned.
• Verwoerd led whites to believe SA would remain in the Commonwealth. This was not the case.
• Commonwealth leaders agreed that SA, as republic, could remain in the Commonwealth, but that it would need to reapply for membership.
• The Prime Minister of Canada, and other leaders, threatened to block membership and Verwoerd withdrew his application. SA's membership within the Commonwealth ended in March 1961.