The Province of Natal (
Afrikaans: Natalprovinsie), commonly called Natal, was a
province of South Africa from May 1910 until May 1994. Its capital was
Pietermaritzburg. During this period rural areas inhabited by the black African population of Natal were organized into the
bantustan of
KwaZulu, which was progressively separated from the province, becoming partially autonomous in 1981. Of the white population, the majority were
English-speaking people of British descent, causing Natal to become the only province to vote "No" to the creation of a
republic in the
referendum of 1960, due to very strong
monarchist, pro-
British Commonwealth, and anti-
secessionist sentiment.[2] In the latter part of the 1980s, Natal was in a state of violence between the
Inkatha Freedom Party and the
African National Congress, with violence subsiding soon after the
first non-racial election in 1994.[3][4]
In 1994, the
KwaZulubantustan was reincorporated into the territory of Natal and the province was redesignated as
KwaZulu-Natal.
Districts in 1991
Districts of the province and population at the time of the 1991 census.[1]
1 Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei were originally part of South Africa; they later declared independence with South African consent in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their independence was recognized by the South African government but they were internationally recognized as part of South Africa.
24. Claimed in 1908; territory formed 1962; overlaps portions of Argentine and Chilean claims, borders not enforced but claim not renounced under the
Antarctic Treaty.