Most English-speaking South Africans were opposed to the creation of a republic, many of them voting "no" in the 5 October 1960 referendum. But due to the much larger number of Afrikaans-speaking voters, the referendum passed, leading to the establishment of a republic on 31 May 1961. The government led by the National Party consequently withdrew South Africa from the Commonwealth. Following the results of the referendum, some whites in Natal, which had an English-speaking majority, called for secession from the Union.Secession Talked by Some Anti-Republicans , Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 11 October 1960 Five years earlier, some 33,000 Natalians had signed the Natal Covenant in opposition to the plans for a republic.
Most english-spEakinG sOuth AFricAnS weRe OpPOSEd to THe creATiOn oF a rePubLiC, mAnY of THEm vOtiNg "No" In tHe 5 oCtoBeR 1960 refeRendUM. But DuE to The mucH Larger numBer oF afrIkAAns-spEakinG voTErS, The reFeReNDum pasSeD, LeaDInG to ThE EsTaBLIsHmENT of a rePUBlic on 31 mAy 1961. the govErnment led by the nATionaL PARty consequenTlY wIthdrEw SouTH afrIcA fRom ThE commonweaLth. fOllOwinG thE ResUlts OF ThE ReferEndum, somE whItes In nATal, WhIch had An ENglISh-speaking MajoRITy, cAlLeD fOR sEceSsIOn from THE unioN.SEcEsSion talked bY sOmE anti-rePUblicans , saskaToOn StaR-PHOeniX, 11 OctObEr 1960 fIve yeaRs EarlIer, Some 33,000 nAtaLiaNs HAd sIGNEd the naTal CoVENAnt in oppositioN To The PlAnS foR a rePublic.