Die bepaling van die seegrense van die republiek van Suid‐Afrika

Abstract

The aim of the article is to indicate the present delimitation of the sea boundaries of the Republic.

As yet none of the international sea boundaries of the Republic have formally been delimited. This effects, firstly, the boundary between the Republic and Mozambique, and, secondly, as far as South West Africa is concerned, the boundary between the Cape Province and South West Africa, the northern and southern boundary sectors of the Walvis Bay area and the landward sea boundaries of the thirteen islands of the Republic adjacent to the territorial waters of South West Africa. In delimiting these boundaries account will have to be taken of certain directives contained in national legislation and international law.

The national sea boundaries of the Republic, comprising the territorial sea boundaries of, firstly, the mainland, and, secondly, islands situated outside the territorial waters of the mainland, ie the seaward boundaries of the abovementioned islands situated adjacent to the territorial waters of South West Africa and the boundaries of Marion and Prince Edward islands in the Antartic Ocean, have to a great extent been delimited in the Territorial Waters Act, No 87 of 1963, as well as in various stipulations of the 1958 Geneva Conventions.

In conclusion it is pointed out that the fast changing law of the sea and the expected attainment of independence of the Transkei this year should require adaption of the delimitation of the sea boundaries of the Republic.