18 of 1936; subsequently renamed the Bantu Trust and Land Act, 1936 and the Development Trust and Land Act, 1936) in South Africa passed a law that served as the reorganisation of its agricultural structures, thus formalising the separation of white and black rural areas.

During the Great Depression, damage to agricultural land through erosion and overgrazing played a relevant role in the preparation of the Act.

At the same time, the rights of the black people were as tenant farmers restricted to white owners.

[2][3] This selling pressure caused by the Act forced many blacks to seek work in salaried employment outside of their family and tribal tradition rooted in residential areas.

Destinations of these migrations were the large farms of the whites and the cities, preferably industrial urban centres.