The Final Process Of The Unification Of South African White States 1907-09/ Movement To Closer Union In South Africa/ The Federation Idea/ Renewed Efforts To Unite South Africa (The Road To The 1910 Act Of Union)

After the defeat of the Boers in the Orange Free State and Transvaal. the way was cleared for the Union of South Africa.
In all these developments, Africans were completely left out and this was done to minimize the problems of forming the Union or Federation.
The question of forming a united South Africa was raised in July 1907 by the British High Commissioner in South Africa, Lord Selbourne.
The Selbourne Memorandum published in that month Iboked forward to the day when all British Africa. south of the Zambezi, which had formed one Customs Union in 1903. would come together under one government.
It was also agreed between the whites or the Boers and the British that Africans be denied political rights and this time fricans were helpless and had to loose.
By all these events, British kindness and philanthropy to the Africans completely dashed in oblivion and crumbled on a slippery ground.
The National Convention 1908-09
It was a conference held at Durban in Natal State on 12th October to November. 5th, 1908.
It was formed by Parliaments of all the white states in South Africa.
T'he delegates or representatives came from the four states of South Africa- Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal and the Cape Colony.
Representatives also sat again /re-assembled / transfered at the Cape Town between 22ndl 23rd November 1908 until 3rd February 1909, to plan the details of a united South Africa.
It remained secret until the first publication on 9th February 1909.
The two colonies and the two states agreed to become Provinces of one Union of South Africa, with their own provincial administrations and assemblies (Parliament), but subject to a strong union government.
The observers for the National Convention also came from Rhodesia (or modem Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nyasaland and other areas in the sub continent).
The Afrikaaner delegates favoured a Unitary system of government while the English preferred Federation.
Why the National Convention was called by the whites
They met to discuss details for the closer union of South Africa (politically, economically and socially).
The National Convention was called to discuss issues of inter-territorial railways and customs.
To find a formula and stop a cute differences that had alienated the Boers and the British, which had made them hostile.
It was called to do a way with racism and internal civil strife between the white communities.
To decide on what form of union was to be adopted by the whites.
The National Convention wanted to remove economic barriers to enable co-operation of the colonies.
It meant to decide on the acceptable formula of a union constitution of the whites. To discuss the right of voting and to be voted for in the elections.
It was also called to discuss the racial politics in South Afric