| Governor-general Of The Union Of South Africa |
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Some of the first holders of the post were members of the British Royal Family including Prince Arthur Of Connaught , between 1920 and 1923 , and the Earl Of Athlone , who served between 1923 and 1930 , before becoming the Governor General Of Canada . As in other Dominion s, this would change, with only local (white) South Africa n citizens holding the office. REPUBLICANISM The Afrikaner-dominated National Party , which came to power in 1948 , was avowedly Republic an, and regarded South Africa's links with the Crown as a relic of British imperialism. Under the National Party, the office of Governor-General was held by retired government ministers, who pointedly did not wear the traditional 'colonial' Windsor Uniform composed of a blue military jacket and plumed hat. In 1957 , God Save The Queen ceased to have equal status with Die Stem Van Suid-Afrika as a National Anthem , and the British Union Flag similarly ceased to have equal status with the South African flag. However, it was not until 1960 that the Prime Minister , Hendrik Verwoerd , held a Referendum on the issue. After several protests regarding the lowering of the voting age to 18, and the inclusion of white voters in South West Africa , on October 5 1960 , South Africa's whites were asked: 'Do you support a republic for the Union?'. The result was 52 per cent in favour of the change. Charles Robberts Swart , the last Governor-General, became Officer Administering The Government in April 1961 under a transitional arrangement, before he was sworn in as the first State President of the Republic of South Africa on May 31 of that year. GOVERNORS-GENERAL OF THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA
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