1983: Abandoned baby in apartheid South Africa
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A baby found abandoned near Pretoria has created difficulties for authorities in South Africa, where all newborn children must be registered and classified according to their skin colour. The child appears to be of mixed parentage and her racial classification is unclear. The story has resulted in international embarrassment for the South African government.
The Population Registration Act of 1950 introduced compulsory classification of South Africans into three basic racial groups: Black, White and Coloured. This act underpinned 'separate development' for different racial groups. How people were classified determined where they lived, what work they could do and many other important factors affecting their lives.
This Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News report reflects the time when it was made and contains language that may offend.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive: Originally broadcast 26 July 1983.