The grey dawn of South African racial residential integration

The over-arching influence of the Group Areas Act continues to manifest itself, when its principal objectives are no longer realised. Grey areas, or zones of illegal racial residential integration, are superficially immune to the effects of the Group Areas Act. Upon further study, however, their character is inextricably linked to the Act. South Africa's present retention of the Group Areas Act has led some observers to question the sincerity of her current policy shifts. Despite the intentions of the reform programme, the effect of the GAA remains far larger than the simple legislation. Accordingly, the Group Areas Act will continue to haunt South African urban life even after its final repeal.