46 of 1959, commenced 19 June; subsequently renamed the Promotion of Black Self-government Act, 1959 and later the Representation between the Republic of South Africa and Self-governing Territories Act, 1959) was an important piece of South African apartheid legislation that allowed for the transformation of traditional tribal lands into "fully fledged independent states Bantustans", which would supposedly provide for the right to self-determination of the country's black population.

Each black "nation" was then provided with a Commissioner-General, who was entrusted with the development of its assigned Homeland into a fully self-governing state.

[2] Blacks were expected to exercise their political rights in these Homeland enclave states, not in the remainder of South Africa where white supremacy would continue and Afrikaner nationalism would be expressed.

Defines the commissioner-general employment period as five years or at the pleasure of the Governor-General, not hold another civil service or private position and reside at a place considered acceptable by the minister.

Defines the rights of the Minister with approval of the Governor-general to appoint a Bantu person to represent the population type.

Defines the ability of the Governor-General to make regulations for the terms of office, remuneration, meeting attendance, etc., for a commissioner-general.