This is a list of events that occurred in 1950 in South Africa. Incumbents Monarch: King George VI. Governor-General and High Commissioner for Southern Africa: Gideon Brand van Zyl. Prime Minister: Daniel François Malan. Chief Justice: Ernest Frederick Watermeyer then Albert van der Sandt Centlivres. Events March 18 – The University of the Free State is established. April 27 – The Group Areas Act is passed, formally segregating the races. May 1 – 18 blacks are killed by police and more than 30 are injured on the Witwatersrand in a massive stay-away from work, called for by the African National Congress. 1 – Springbok Radio, the SABC's first commercial service, is launched. June 26 – The Suppression of Communism Act is passed. August 5 – 2 Squadron SAAF departs for the Korean War. 6 – The municipality of East London decides not to approve prospecting for oil off the city's seafront. September 26 – Sasol (Suid-Afrikaanse Steenkool, Olie en Gaskorporasie Bpk.) is registered as a company. October 23 – Ernest George Jansen is appointed the 9th Governor-General of the Union of South Africa. November 2 – South African Airways inaugurates daily services between Johannesburg and Bulawayo and between Johannesburg and Cape Town. December 13 – South Africa refuses to place South-West Africa under UN trusteeship. 21 – The gold town of Allanridge in the Free State Province is established. Unknown date Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is proclaimed a protected state forest. Hendrik Verwoerd becomes Minister of Native Affairs. The government passes the Immorality Amendment Act, the Group Areas Act, the Suppression of Communism Act, and the Population Registration Act which officially divides South Africans into 'White', 'Coloured', 'Asian' or 'Native' population groups. The United States and United Kingdom sign a purchasing agreement with South Africa to supply uranium for their nuclear weapons programmes. The Parliament of South Africa passes the Privy Council Appeals Act, 1950 (Act No. 16) to terminate appeals from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Births 29 January – Jody Scheckter, 1979 Formula One World Drivers' Champion. 1 June – Johann Rupert, billionaire businessman, son of billionaire Remembrandt Group founder Anton Rupert. 18 August – Nandi Nyembe, actress. Deaths 11 September – Jan Smuts, soldier and international statesman. (b. 1870) Railways Railway lines opened 2 October – Transvaal: Vandyksdrif to Broodsnyersplaas, . Sports