History of Apartheid
PW
Botha
31 Oct
2006
PW (Pieter Willem) Botha dies (aged 90) of natural causes around 8pm at his lagoon-side
home "Die Anker", near Wildernes in the Western Cape. He leaves behind his second wife Barbara, his
daughters Elanza Maritz and Rozannee and his son Pieter. In a statement, the ANC wished Botha's
family "strength and comfort at this difficult time".
Derek
Luke
Oct
2006
"I just exploded. I just went off on him, because he again started to tell me his side of the story. I
caught on fire. When I calmed down, the others were just staring at me and I almost started crying.
I said, 'I'm sorry -- I know we're making a movie here, but this is my home. This is Africa. I felt a
great responsibility to tell the story in truth. I think what was really hurting was the fact that I was
totally absent of Apartheid and ignorant of its existence. And during Apartheid, I don't even know
what I was doing. Maybe thinking about going to Magic Mountain for a ride, or something." Derek
Luke speaking about the filming of the apartheid movie "Catch a Fire".
2003
Walter Sisulu dies aged 91. Sisulu was a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle.
2002
Dr Wouter Basson is acquited by the court, dubbed "Dr Death" he ran an apartheid-era germ warfare
programme. Basson had faced charges of murder and conspiracy. The ANC condemns the verdict.
June
1999
"I will never ask for amnesty. Not now, not tomorrow, not after tomorrow," PW Botha after winning
an appeal against the conviction for failing to heed the subpoena to appear before the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
October The Truth and Reconciliation Commission releases its final report, a 3,500-page document which
1998
brands the apartheid-era government the primary perpetrator of gross human rights violations, but
also holds the ANC and other anti-apartheid activists, including Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and her
Mandela United Football Club, accountable for human rights violations.
1998
Nelson Mandela marries Graça Machel, the widow of Mozambique's founding president, Samora Machel.
Pik
Botha
14 Oct
1997
"In August 1985 President PW Botha had delivered what has become known as his Rubicon Speech
in Durban. The world had been waiting for good news, important announcements on dismantling
apartheid and releasing Mr Nelson Mandela. I myself drafted that part of the speech in which the
phrase "today we have crossed the Rubicon" appeared. President Botha, however, retained the
sentence but removed what had preceded it, namely the release of Nelson Mandela and the
government's intention to dismantle apartheid. The effect of the speech on the world, and on many
South Africans, was that of a bucket of iced water in the face."
16 May
Former President FW De Klerk testifies before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
1997
Sep
1996
Eugene de Kock, commander of the secret Vlakplaas unit of the security police during the apartheid
government era, is convicted of six murders and 83 other crimes. Before he is sentenced, de Kock
testifies that other senior members of the former government, including former presidents P.W. Botha
and de Klerk and several army generals and police officials, were involved in dirty tricks against the
anti-apartheid movement.
8 May
1996
The new constitution is adopted, which goes into effect in February 1997.
March
1996
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), a watchdog organization that derives its
powers from the Constitution, is officially launched.
1995
The Khulumani Support Group is formed by survivors and families of victims of the political conflict of
South Africa's apartheid past. It was set up in response to the pending Truth and Reconciliation
Commission by victims who felt the Commission should be used to speak out* about the past to
ensure that such violations never occur again.
*(Khulumani means "Speaking out" in isiZulu)
July
1995
President Mandela signs a law creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate
human rights violations committed from March 1960 to May 1994. The commission is chaired by
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and begins holding public hearings in April 1996, completes most of its factfinding work by late July 1998, and releases a final report three months later.
1994
South Africa's commonwealth status is restored (although it remains a Republic).
10 May After the first multi-racial democratic elections, South African president Nelson Mandela is sworn in
1994
to office.
27 April The first multi-racial democratic elections.
1994
Party
Seats
National Party
82
Democratic Party
7
African National Party
252
Inkatha Freedom Party
43
Freedom Front
9
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania
5
African Christian Democratic Party 2
TOTAL
400
April
1994
The 10 ethnically determined "homelands" of the apartheid era are incorporated into nine new
provincial administrative regions.
31 Dec
1993
The Heidelberg Tavern in Observatory is attacked, with 4 people being killed. Ballistic tests indicate
that the same weapons were used as in the St James Church massacre.
25 Jul
1993
APLA attacks the St James Church in Kenilworth with grenades and AK47s, killing 11 members of the
congregation (including 4 Russians). A single member of the congregation, Charl van Wyk, returns
fire with his .38 Special and wounds one of the attackers, resulting in them fleeing.
28 Oct
1993
Communist China resumes trading with South Africa (cut off since 1960).
8 Oct
1993
The United Nations General Assembly lifts economic sanctions against South Africa.
25 Aug
1993
A young American, Amy Biehl, is stoned and stabbed to death in Gugulethu after dropping off some
friends.
15 Oct
1993
FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela share the Nobel Peace prize for ending apartheid and laying the
foundation for a multi-racial democracy in South Africa.
1993
Agreement on an interim constitution.
April
1993
South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani is assassinated outside his home. In October 1993,
Polish immigrant Januzs Walus and former Conservative Party MP Clive Derby-Lewis are found guilty
of the murder and are sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment.
March
1992
The white citizens of South Africa vote in a referendum for government to negotiate a new
constitution with the ANC and other groups.
1991
The beginning of multi-party talks.
15 Oct
1990
President F. W. de Klerk's government scraps South Africa's Separate Amenities Act, which had
barred blacks from public facilities.
June
1990
President F. W. de Klerk's government repeals the Groups Areas Act, (which segregated residential
neighborhoods); the Land Act, (which restricted blacks' rights to purchase land); and the Population
Registration Act, (which classified the population by race).
21 May South Africa relinquishes control of South West Africa/Namibia, and it officially became an
1990
independent state on 21 March 1990.
1990
The musician, Miriam Makeba, returns to South Africa after spending 30 years in exile.
11 Feb
1990
President F. W. de Klerk releases Nelson Mandela from
prison. After 27 years in prison, Mandela makes his first
public speech in decades from the balcony of the Cape Town
City Hall.
2 Feb
1990
20 Sep
1989
President F. W. de Klerk lifts a decades-long ban on several dozen anti-apartheid organizations,
including the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan-African Congress (PAC), and the South
African Communist Party, and releases anti-apartheid activists from prison.
F. W. de Klerk is sworn in as South Africa's President.
2 Sep
1989
Police stopped protestors, who were marching to parliament,
with teargas, batons and a new weapon - a cannon shooting
out purples dye (to make it easier to identify and arrest the
protestors). Philip Ivey, a 25-year-old conscientious objector
and treasurer of the End Conscription Campaign, climbed
onto the armoured vehicle and pointed the cannon’s purple
jet on the police. Purple dye stained the surrounding
buildings, including the whitewashed walls of the historic Old
Townhouse on Greenmarket Square and the National Party
headquarters. Ivey said that the climbing on the armoured
vehicle was a spur of the moment decision and he was
scared he would be shot. The following day graffiti around
Cape Town proclaimed "The purple shall govern". Eleven
days later, some 30,000 people marched through Cape Town
city without police intervening.
Purple rain memorial
14 Aug
1989
At a caucus meeting Botha was asked to resign and FW de Klerk became acting state president the
next day.
1989
The National Party wins a majority of the seats in the 1989 South African General Election (South
Africa's last race-based election).
Party
Seats
National Party
93
Democratic Party
33
Conservative Party 39
TOTAL
165
13 Feb
1989
PW Botha resigns after suffering a
stroke and is succeeded later that
year by Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk
(like Mandela, an attorney by
training).
18 Jan
1989
PW Botha had a mild stroke.
1988
PW Botha gives the Sharpeville 6 a reprieve from the death sentence.
10 Aug
1987
The great mineworkers strike begins - an unprecedented 300,000 mineworkers down tools and go on
strike, returning to work on the 30th August 1987.
1987
The National Party wins a majority of the seats in the 1987 South African General Election.
Party
National Party
Seats
123
Progressive Federal Party 19
Conservative Party
22
Independent Movement
1
New Republic Party
1
TOTAL
165
1986
Former Mozambican President Samora Machel dies in a plane crash on South African soil (in February
2006 South African President Mbeki called for a reopening of the apartheid era inquest into the
crash).
c. 26
June
1986
After being lured to their deaths by police Constable Joe Mamasela (posing as an MK agent) the
'Mamelodi 10' (a.k.a. the 'Nietverdiend 10') are killed. Mamasela had promised to take them to
Botswana for military training. Instead Mamasela drove them (in a minibus) to Nietverdiend, where
security officers ordered the men at gunpoint to get out of the minibus, and Commandant Dave
Trippet injected them with a chemical. Now unconscious, they were bundled back into the minibus
and driven to Bophuthatswana by Special Forces operative Diederick Jacobus Vorster. A limpet mine
and an AK47 were placed into the minibus, an accident staged and the minibus set alight. The bodies
were burnt so severely that identification was difficult, and there is some confusion about who was
killed in this incident. Their bodies buried in a field in Winterveld, near Pretoria.
What happened to the Mamelodi 10 was outlined when Jack Cronje, Jaques Hechter, Paul van
Vuuren, Wouter Mentz and Roelf Venter testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The officers received amnesty, but Mamasela, who admitted to his role in the murders, never applied
for amnesty. He was declared a section 204 witness, which means that he received indemnity from
prosecution as long as he was a satisfactory witness. Mr Vorster testified that, following these
operations, he had requested not to be deployed on such missions, both because of security
concerns and because he did not believe that such operations were the proper function of a soldier.
1986
The USA introduces mandatory sanctions against South Africa.
3 Mar
1986
The Gugulethu Seven are murdered.
11 Nov
1985
The New Zealand government announces that it is:
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30 Oct
1985
instructing the Export-Import Corporation not to provide assistance to companies in respect
of business with South Africa;
banning the sale to South Africa of computer equipment;
prohibiting the import of Krugerrands;
not allowing the Export Guarantee organization to enter into export guarantee commitments
for new business with South Africa;
banning the import from South Africa of ammunition, arms and military vehicles;
undertaking to discourage all scientific and cultural events, "except where these contribute
towards the ending of apartheid or have no possible role in promoting it
The Netherlands tells the UN General Assembly that:
"During its membership of the Security Council the Netherlands initiated the consultations leading to
the adoption of resolution 558 (1984), which calls on Member States of the United Nations to ban
the import of South African arms as a necessary complement to resolution 418 (1977). At the
national level the Netherlands Government is now in the process of introducing legislation to prohibit
the export of paramilitary goods to South Africa and to give a statutory basis to the provisions of
resolution 558 (1984)…
"Pending agreement on investment restrictions with adequate international support, my Government
has taken steps designed to ensure the faithful observance of the Code of Conduct for European
companies with interests in South Africa… To enhance the Code's effectiveness even further, the
Netherlands seeks to make it more comprehensive and to tighten up supervision of its application.
Reporting on the observance of the Code is intended to become obligatory for Netherlands
companies with branches in South Africa and contraventions of the Code's statutory provisions will
result in sanctions being imposed on them. Also, the Netherlands has consistently advocated the
establishment of a mandatory oil embargo against South Africa. Meanwhile my Government fully
subscribes to the measure agreed upon with our partners in European political co-operation to cease
oil exports to South Africa. Furthermore, my Government actively encourages Netherlands
companies to reduce their imports of South African coal."
30 Oct
1985
Ireland tells the UN General Assembly that:
"As a matter of policy Ireland does not maintain diplomatic relations with South Africa. There are no
cultural agreements between Ireland and South Africa. There is no Irish public investment in South
Africa. The Government does not encourage trade or other economic relations with South Africa. In
this connection the Minister for Health, in September 1984, issued a directive to ensure that no Irish
health agencies purchased items of South African origin or engaged in commercial or other dealings
with South African agencies. There are no Irish companies with subsidiaries in South Africa, and thus
none reporting under the European Community's code of conduct…
"'The Government… does everything possible to prevent international sporting contacts between
Ireland and South Africa and refuses to give financial aid to Irish sports organizations which engage
in contacts with South Africa. The Government has also prevented representative South African
teams from taking part in sports competitions in Ireland."
29 Oct
1985
Austria announces to the UN General Assembly that it has:
"In accordance with those resolutions, Austria has adopted the following unilateral measures: first,
to suspend all investments in South Africa by Austrian public enterprises; secondly, to prohibit the
import of krugerrands and all other gold coins minted in South Africa; thirdly, to impose restrictions
in the field of sports and cultural relations; fourthly, to stop Government guarantees for export
credits until further notice; fifthly, to prohibit the participation of public enterprises in South African
procurement procedures in the nuclear field; and, sixthly, to prohibit all exports of computer
equipment that might be used by the South African army and police.
"Austria has also taken further steps to tighten the arms embargo against South Africa, and it
observes the ban on imports of arms from South Africa recommended by the Security Council."
20 Oct
1985
Commonwealth Heads of State adopt "the Commonwealth Accord on Southern Africa":
"… we have as an earnest of our opposition to apartheid reached accord on a programme of common
action as follows:
i) we declare the Commonwealth's support for the strictest enforcement of the mandatory arms
embargo against South Africa, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 418
and 558 and commit ourselves to prosecute violators to the fullest extent of the law;
ii) we reaffirm the Gleneagles Declaration of 1977, which called upon Commonwealth members to
take every practical step to discourage sporting contacts with South Africa;
iii) we agree upon, and commend to other governments, the adoption of the following further
economic measures against South Africa, which have already been adopted by a number of member
countries:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
a ban on all new government loans to the Government of South Africa and its agencies;
a readiness to take unilaterally what action may be possible to preclude the import of
krugerrands;
no Government funding for trade missions to South Africa or for participation in exhibitions
and trade fairs in South Africa;
a ban on the sale and export of computer equipment capable of use by South African
military forces, police or security forces;
a ban on new contracts for the sale and export of nuclear goods, materials and technology
to South Africa;
a ban on the sale and export of oil to South Africa;
a strict and rigorously controlled embargo on imports of arms, ammunition, military vehicles
and paramilitary equipment from South Africa;
an embargo on all military co-operation with South Africa; and
discouragement of all cultural and scientific events except where these contribute towards
the ending of apartheid or have no possible role in promoting it."
9 Oct
1985
Japan decides to prohibit the export of computers "that might assist the activities of such
organizations as the armed forces and the police which enforce apartheid."
25 Sep
1985
Belgium requests SA to remove its military attaché from Brussels.
13 Sep
1985
Canada's secretary of state announces a series of new measures against apartheid South Africa:
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10 Sep
1985
banning of flights between South Africa and Canada
urging Canadian banks to ban loans to the South African government and its agents.
urging Canadian companies to ban the sale of crude oil and refined products to South Africa.
The European Community, Portugal and Spain adopts the following measures: against South
Africa:
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"a strictly monitored embargo on the export to South Africa of weapons and para-military
equipment;
a strictly monitored embargo on the import from South Africa of weapons and para-military
equipment;
rejection of all co-operation in the military field;
the recalling of military attaches from the Republic of South Africa and the refusal to accredit
military attaches of the Republic of South Africa;
discouragement of cultural and scientific agreements except where these will contribute to
the elimination of apartheid or will not support that system;
a freeze on official contacts and international agreements in the field of sports and security;
the elimination of oil exports to the Republic of South Africa;
the elimination of exports of sensitive equipment intended for the South African Army and
Police; and
a ban on all new co-operation in the nuclear field."
11 Nov
1985
In accordance with an executive order of the President of the USA, loans to South Africa are banned,
excluding "loans which improve economic opportunities, or educational, housing and health facilities
that are open and accessible to South Africans of all races."
11 Oct
1985
In accordance with an executive order of the President of the USA, banning the importation of the
krugerrand in the United States.
9 Sep
1985
The President of the USA issued an executive order:
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19 Aug
1985
banning computer exports to police, military and security forces and agencies "involved in
the enforcement of apartheid."
Banning the import of military vehicles or arms produced in SA.
prohibiting the export of nuclear technology except those required to carry out international
agreements on the spread of nuclear arms, or those deemed necessary to protect public
health and safety.
The Australian foreign minister announced a number of measures in its parliament:
"(c) Australia is to close its Trade Commission in Johannesburg from the end of September 1985;
"(d) The Government is to prohibit exports to South Africa of petroleum and petroleum products,
computer hardware equipment and any other products known to be of use to the South African
security forces and is to prohibit the import from South Africa of krugerrands and all other coins
minted in South Africa and all arms, ammunition and military vehicles;
"(e) All new investment in South Africa by the Australian Government and public authorities has
been suspended except for that which is necessary to maintain Australian diplomatic and consular
representation in South Africa;
"(f) All Australian banks and other financial institutions have been asked to suspend making new
loans, either directly or indirectly, to borrowers in South Africa;
"(g) Direct investment by the South African government or its agencies in Australia has been
prohibited.
"In addition, the Government has placed an embargo on all new government contractual dealings
with majority-owned South African firms for contracts above $ 20,000 and has decided to terminate
all export facilities available through the Export Finance Insurance Corporation, the Export Market
Development Grant Scheme and the Australian Overseas Projects Corporation and certain industry
assistance to such firms.
"The Government has decided also to avoid government procurement of supplies from South African
sources save that necessary for the maintenance of Australian diplomatic and consular
representation in Southern Africa and to restrict government sales of goods and services to South
Africa."
26 Jul
1985
Following the State of Emergency declared in South Africa, UN Security Council resolution 569:
"6. Urges States Members of the Organization to adopt measures against the Republic of South
Africa, such as the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Suspension of all new investment in the Republic of South Africa;
Prohibition of the sale of krugerrands and all other coins minted in South Africa;
Restrictions in the field of sports and cultural relations;
Suspension of guaranteed export loans;
Prohibition of all new contracts in the nuclear field;
Prohibition of all sales of computer equipment that may be used by the South African army
and police;
"7. Commends those States which have already adopted voluntary measures against the Pretoria
Government and urges them to adopt new provisions, and invites those which have not yet done so
to follow their example."
6 Jul
1985
Canada introduces a series of measures against the apartheid government:
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enforcing the UN Security Council's recommendation regarding the prohibition of imports of
South African manufactured armaments;
stopping the sale of equipment such as computers to the South African police, armed forces,
and other South African departments and agencies involved in the enforcement of apartheid;
issuing guidelines on the boycotting of sporting contacts between nationally-representative
South African and Canadian athletes;
strengthening its voluntary Code of Conduct concerning employment practices of Canadian
companies operating in South Africa;
discouraging the sale of Krugerrands;
terminating the applicability of insurance policies issued by the EDM to South Africa;
terminating toll-processing of Namibian uranium imported through South Africa;
scrapping the double tax agreement with South Africa;
close monitoring of contacts between the South African government or its agents, and
Canadian federal departments
27 Jun
1985
In line with Denmark, Sweden and Norway's decision to end their air agreements of 28 Mar 1958
with South Africa, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) must end flights to South Africa within half a
year.
19 Jun
1985
UN Security Council resolution 566:
"14. Urges Member States of the United Nations that have not done so to consider in the meantime
taking appropriate voluntary measures against South Africa, which could include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Stopping of new investments and application of disincentives to this end;
Re-examination of maritime and aerial relations with South Africa;
The prohibition of the sale of krugerrands and all other coins minted in South Africa;
Restrictions in the field of sports and cultural relations."
18 Jun
1985
Finland's parliament's foreign affairs committe appeals to the Finnish government to end all
economic relationships with apartheid South Africa.
7 Jun
1985
The Norweigian Government introduces the following measures:
"(a) Norway's import of goods from South Africa will be subject to automatic licensing, and
opportunities to reduce trade with South Africa will be evaluated by the authorities in cooperation
with business, industries and organizations concerned.
"(b) In co-operation with the parties concerned, the Ministry of Justice should consider a statutory
prohibition on the sale of Norwegian crude oil to South Africa.
"(c) In cases where raw materials have traditionally been imported from
South Africa for processing in Norway and where the switch to other suppliers would imply
considerable extra costs, the Government will consider the question of giving government financial
aid to help the companies concerned to readjust.
"(d) Following an understanding between the Government and the Norwegian Shipowners'
Association, a scheme will be set up to ensure that the authorities can record transport of crude oil
to South Africa on ships registered in Norway. The Norwegian Shipowners' Association will send
these records to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in the form of quarterly reports on the volume
of oil transported and number of ships involved."
5 Jun
1985
The Australian Government announces that it will boycott any company with a majority South
African ownership.
29 May
Denmark prohibits new Danish investment into South West Africa - Namibia or South Africa.
1985
1985
South African armed forces attacked Botswana.
Lesbian and Gays Against Oppression (Lago) founded.
1 Apr
1985
Sweden bans loans and financial leasing to South Africa.
21 Mar
1985
Police in Langa opened fire on blacks marching to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sharpeville
shootings. At least 21 demonstrators were killed.
20 Feb
1985
Sweden extends its embargo against apartheid South Africa to include data processing equipment
and the export of fuel to the South African military or police.
13 Dec
1984
The UN General Assembley adopts resolution 39/72 G :
"5. Urges the Security Council to consider without delay the adoption of effective mandatory
sanctions against South Africa;
"6. Further urges the Security Council to take steps for the strict implementation of the mandatory
arms embargo instituted by it in resolution 418 (1977) and, within this context, to secure an end to
military and nuclear co-operation with South Africa and the import of military equipment or supplies
from South Africa;
"7. Appeals to all States that have not yet done so, pending mandatory sanctions by the Security
Council, to consider national legislative or other appropriate measures to increase the pressure on
the apartheid regime of South Africa, such as:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Cessation of further investments in, and financial loans to, South Africa;
An end to all promotion of trade with South Africa;
Cessation of all forms of military, police or intelligence co-operation with the authorities of
South Africa;
An end to nuclear collaboration with South Africa;
...
"9. Appeals to all Governments and organizations to take appropriate action for the cessation of all
academic, cultural, scientific and sports relations that would support the apartheid regime of South
Africa as well as relations with individuals, institutions and other bodies endorsing or based on
apartheid and also appeals for further strengthening of contacts with those opposed to apartheid."
3 Dec
1984
Denmark bans military imports from South Africa.
24 Jul
1984
France bans new investment into South Africa.
1984
PW Botha becomes President.
21 Nov
1983
Sweden introduces an embargo against the import of military material from South Africa.
1983
The United Democratic Front, a coalition of almost 600 organisations, is formed to persuade the
Government to end apartheid.
1983
White South Africans vote "yes" for a tricameral parliament that included coloured and indians,
but excluded the black majority (and whites held the majority of the seats).
30 Sep
1982
Belgium ceases its visa-free privileges for South Africans.
1 Apr
1982
Sweden starts denying visas to South Africans representing the apartheid regime in the areas of
sport, science or culture.
5 Feb
1982
Dr Neil Aggett became the 45th South African to die in police detention (and the first white person
to die in police detention) under apartheid. Dr Aggett was reported by police to have been found
hanged at Johannesburg's notorius John Vorster Squre. On the 4th February 1982 Aggett had written
an affidavit claiming he had been tortured, assaulted, deprived of sleep and beaten on various
occassions since his arrest. Aggett had joined the trade union movement in the sixties and fought for
the rights of black workers to be placed with company-supported medical aid schemes and enjoy
other democratic rights.
1981
Ciskei is declared independent. The independence of Ciskei
was only ever recognized by South Africa and other South
African homelands (Transkei, Venda, and Bophuthatswana).
1981
The National Party wins a majority of the seats in the 1981 South African General Election.
Party
National Party
Seats
131
Progressive Federal Party 26
15 Apr
1981
8
TOTAL
165
Denmark announces to the UN General Assembley the following measures it has introduced against
apartheid South Africa:
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3 Jul
1980
New Republic Party
recalling the Danish trade commissioner at the Consulate-General;
Royal Greenland Trade Organization stopping importing from South Africa;
instructing its Consulate-General in Johannesburg not to promote exports to South Africa;
urging its utility companies not to buy coal from South Africa;
not providing exports to South Africa with export credit insurance.
Italy tells the UN Security Council that:
"Under Italian legislation, only the export of military aircraft is subject to Government licence, but in
the case of South Africa this regime of controls has been extended to civilian aircraft since 1972. The
Italian Government has refrained since 1972 from issuing export licences for components parts of
both MB 326K aircraft and the Rolls Royce 'Viper' engine."
3 Jun
1980
1 June
1980
Canada withdraws South Africa's "Commonwealth trade preferences".
Umkhonto we Sizwe bombed Sasol's Secunda plant, along with 2 other Sasol installations.
Patrick Chamusso was arrested in the aftermath of the bombs, as he was one of the last drivers to
leave the area at the Secunda plant where the bomb was placed, and police were looking ANC
operatives inside Sasol who helped the MK operatives gain access to the plant. Police at the time had
the power to hold people suspected of political crimes indefinitely, without access to a lawyer or
family. Torture was routine.
When Patrick was unable to produce an alibi, he was tortured and jailed; when he refused to admit
guilt for an act he didn't commit, the officer ordered his wife, Precious (Bonnie Henna), to be
tortured as well.
Patrick was detained for two weeks and had a bad time. He came out a changed man. Patrick had by
now had 2 run-ins with the police, despite the fact that he had avoided any kind of political
involvement all his life. He had been though hell for doing nothing.
He decided that, if he was going to suffer the trauma of detention, he may as well suffer it for a
reason and do something...
2 May
1980
The South African government bans Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in Wall" (Part II), being blamed for
inciting riots among pupils. Black children who boycotted schools because of inferior education
standards had adopted the song as their anthem (the song includes children chanting the chorus,
“We don't need no education”).
13 Dec
1979
Venda is declared independent. The independence of Venda was only ever recognized by South
Africa and other South African homelands (Transkei, Ciskei, and Bophuthatswana).
30 Jul
1979
Austria revokes its visa agreement with South Africa, reintroducing the requirement for South
Africans to apply for an entry visa.
1979
Following the "Information Scandal", BJ Vorster quits.
24 Jan
1979
The UN General Assembley adopts resolution 33/183 urges to stop financial loans to South Africa.
1 Nov
1978
Denmark and Norway introduce visa requirements for South African citizens.
10 Apr
1978
Canada starts denying visas to South African athletes and officials of South African sports to attend
sports functions, and introduces visa requirements for all South Africans visiting Canada.
1978
BJ Vorster becomes state president and PW Botha is prime minister.
19 Dec
1979
Canada decides to:
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4 Jul
1978
close its Consulate-General in Cape Town;
withdraw its Trade Commissioners from Cape Town and Johannesburg;
withdraw its "government account" facilities of the Export Development Corporation (EDM)
for Canadian exports to South Africa;
withdraw EDC foreign investment insurance facilities for Canadian investments in South
Africa.
Spain ends its visa agreement with South Africa.
6 Dec
1977
Bophuthatswana, consisting of 7 seperate parts, is declared independent. The independence of
Bophuthatswana was only ever recognized by South Africa and other South African homelands
(Transkei, Ciskei, and Venda).
4 Nov
1977
With the background of a dramatic military build-up in South Africa, a mandatory arms embargo
against South Africa is adopted by the UN Security Council (as well as an oil embargo), under UN
Security Council Resolution 418:
"1. Determines, having regard to the policies and acts of the South African Government, that the
acquisition by South Africa of arms and related materiel constitutes a threat to the maintenance of
international peace and security;
"2. Decides that all States shall cease forthwith any provision to South Africa of arms and related
materiel of all types, including the sale or transfer of weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and
equipment, para-military police equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, and shall cease
as well the provision of all types of equipment and supplies and grants of licensing arrangements for
the manufacture or maintenance of the aforementioned;
"3. Calls upon all States to review, having regard to the objectives of the present resolution, all
existing contractual arrangements with and licences granted to South Africa relating to the
manufacture and maintenance of arms, ammunition of all types and military equipment and vehicles,
with a view to terminating them;
"4. Further decides that all States shall refrain from any co-operation with South Africa in the
manufacture and development of nuclear weapons;
"5. Calls upon all States, including States non-members of the United Nations, to act strictly in
accordance with the provisions of the present resolution; …"
12 Sep
1977
South African black student leader Steve Biko is murdered in police custody in Pretoria. His hearse
is pulled by oxen to his burial (attended by 20 000 people) on the 17th September 1977 in King
Williams Town.
Biko had been arrested on the 18th August 1977 in King Williams Town, under the Terrorism Act No
83 of 1967.
30 Jul
1977
A Soviet Union surveillance satellite discovers a nuclear weapons testing site in the Kalahari
region of South Africa, the Soviet Union sends the satellite over to take more detailed photographs in
4 different passes over the site a week later. At a press conference in August 1977, the Soviet Union
provides exact coordinates of the site. SA government spokesmen dismiss it as Soviet propaganda.
1977
Australia's labour government decides to stop Qantas flights to South Africa (SAA flights to Australia
are allowed to continue).
Winnie Mandela is banished to Brandfort, in the Free State.
17 organisation are banned in South Africa
1977
The National Party wins a majority of the seats in the 1977 South African General Election.
Party
National Party
Seats
136
Progressive Federal Party 17
9 Nov
1976
New Republic Party
10
South African Party
3
TOTAL
166
Originating with Sweden, the UN General Assembley adopts resolution 3l/6K which requests the
UN Security Council "to consider steps to achieve the cessation of further foreign investments in
South Africa."
25 Oct
1976
Transkei is declared independent, becoming the first black
homeland in South Africa. Transkei is a largely isiXhosaspeaking area between the Kei river and what was then
called Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal). The independence of
Transkei was only ever recognized by South Africa and other
South African homelands (Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, and
Venda). The word "Transkei" means the "area beyond the
Kei".
1976
e'Lollipop goes on circuit
16 June On Wednesday, 16th June 1976, Soweto pupils revolt against the apartheid education system, where
1976
they were forced to be taught in Afrikaans (as their medium of instruction). The iconic image of the
riot is the photo of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson being carried away after he was shot by police
(taken by Sam Nzima). Children protesing with banners were attacked by police firing teargas. The
children replied by throwing stones and the police replied with shots.
13 June At a meeting at Orlando DOCC to address the Phuti class boycott, it was decided to stand up to the
1976
"boers" and stage a school boycott on the 16th June 1976.
1 Jan
1975
Belgium ceases providing assistance to anybody emigrating to SA.
13 Jun
1974
1974
The National Party wins a majority of the seats in the 1974 South African General Election.
Party
1973
Seats
United Party
41
National Party
119
Progressive Party
6
TOTAL
165
The United Nations declares apartheid "a crime against humanity".
The Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) is founded.
It is announced by the SPCA in Cape Town that, according to a government ruling, it is allowed to
accept only the pets of white owners at its boarding facilities!
In the first mixed-race boxing match in apartheid South Africa, Bob Foster beats Pierre Fourie.
1971
An American tennis player, Arthur Ashe, is refused a visa to visit South Africa.
1971
Black Homeland Citizenship Act, changing the status of the inhabitants of the 'homelands' so that
they were no longer citizens of South Africa, and therefore had none of the rights that came with
citizenship.
23 Jul
1970
With the USA, France and the UK abstaining, UN Security Council Resolution 232, a non-binding
resolution, "Calls upon all States to strengthen the arms embargo:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
By implementing fully the arms embargo against South Africa unconditionally and without
reservations whatsoever;
By withholding the supply of all vehicles and equipments for use of the armed forces and
paramilitary organizations of South Africa;
By ceasing the supply of spare parts for all vehicles and military equipment used by the
armed forces and paramilitary organizations of South Africa;
By revoking all licenses and military patents granted to the South African Government or to
South African companies for the manufacture of arms and ammunition, aircraft and naval
craft or other military vehicles and by refraining from further granting such licences and
patents;
By prohibiting investment in, or technical assistance for, the manufacture of arms and
ammunition, aircraft, naval craft, or other military vehicles;
By ceasing provision of military training for members of the South African armed forces and
all other forms of military co-operation with South Africa;
By undertaking the appropriate action to give effect to the above measures."
22 April The National Party, led by John Vorster, wins a majority of the seats in the 1970 South African
General Election.
1970
Party
Seats
United Party
47
National Party
117
Progressive Party
1
TOTAL
165
1969
Anti-apartheid demonstrators, led by Peter Hain, disrupt the Springbok's tour of Britain.
1968
Playing for Worcestershire, the coloured cricketer Basil D'Oliviera is refused entry to South Africa.
1966
District Six is declared a white area.
BJ Vorster succeeds Hendrik Verwoerd.
On the 6th September 1966, Hendrik Verwoerd is stabbed to death by a messenger, Dimitri
Tsafendas, in parliament. Tsafendas forced his way into the gallery, where he was not allowed, and
stabbed Verwoerd 4 times. Verwoerd was buried in Pretoria. Tsafendas escaped death claiming
insanity, saying that a large worm in his stomach told him to kill Verwoerd.
6 Jun
1966
1966
Robert Kennedy delivers a speech in Cape Town.
The National Party, led by Hendrik Verwoerd, wins a majority of the seats in the 1966 South African
General Election.
Party
Seats
United Party
39
National Party
126
Progressive Party
1
TOTAL
166
Oct
1964
With the Labour Party coming into power, the UK announces an arms embargo against South
Africa.
12 Aug
1964
South Africa is banned from the Olympic Games.
14 Jun
1964
Eight Rivonia trialists (including Nelson Mandela) are sentenced to life imprisonment for treason and
sabotage.
1964
Eddie Daniels begins a 15 year prison term on Robben
Island. While in prison, Daniels graduated from high school
and received BA and B.Com degrees from the University of
South Africa (UNISA). On Daniels' release in 1979, he was
placed under house arrest and banned for a further 5 years.
After his house arrest Daniels taught in Cape Town until his
retirement in 1993.
4 Dec
1963
UN Security Council Resolution 182 calls on all countries "to cease forthwith the sale and shipment
of equipment and materials for the manufacture and maintenance of arms and ammunition in South
Africa."
7 Aug
1963
UN Security Council Resolution 181 calls on all countries to " cease forthwith the sale and shipment
of arms, ammunition of all types and military vehicles to South Africa."
Aug
1963
Other than existing contracts which are allowed to continue, the USA announces a total arms
embargo on SA.
1963
All of musician Miriam Makeba's records are banned in South Africa, after an impassioned testimony
before the United Nations Committee Against Apartheid.
1963
The exiled leadership of the PAC (Pan African Congress) declares the beginning of a revoluationary
war spearheaded by its armed wing, Poqo.
6 Nov
1962
The United Nations General Assembly adopts resolution 1761 condemning South Africa's racist
apartheid policies and calling on all its members to end economic and military relations with
South Africa, in particular:



closing their ports to ships sailing under a South African flag, and not allowing South African
planes to fly over their land
breaking off diplomatic ties with South Africa
not importing South African good, and not exporting to South African (in particular not
exporting arms and ammunition)
Additionally, a Special Committee against Apartheid is formed under the resolution.
1962
November 1962: Nelson Mandela is sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for illegally leaving the
country and incitement to strike. He had been on the run for 17 months before he was captured,
resulting in him being known as 'the Black Pimpernel'. Years later a retired agent was quoted in the
New York Times as saying that the CIA had tipped off the South African security police about Nelson
Mandela's whereabouts.
1961
Umkhonto weSizwe is founded, with Nelson Mandela heading it.
Albert Luthuli becomes Africa's first winner of the Nobel peace prize.
31 May
After quitting the Commonwealth, South Africa becoms a republic.
1961
1961
The National Party, led by Hendrik Verwoerd, wins a majority of the seats in the 1961 South African
General Election.
Party
Seats
United Party
49
National Party
105
National Union Party 1
Progressive Party
1
TOTAL
1960
156
In July 1960 communist China cuts off trade with South Africa (resumed again on the 28th October
1993)
On the 9th April 1960, 3 weeks after the Sharpeville massacre, David Pratt (a wealthy farmer) shot
Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd while he was opening the Rand Show in Johannesburg. Verwoerd
had just finished a boring speech, when Pratt stepped forward and shot him at point-blank range.
Verwoerd survived the assasination attempt, and Pratt hanged himself in a Bloemfontein mental
institution.
The Sharpeville massacre on the 21st March 1960. Police opened fire on people protesting (outside a
police station in Sharpeville in the Vaal Triangle) against the pass laws, resulting in 69 people being
killed and 180 wounded. Baragwanath hospital had been reduced to a war zone. Baragwanath
housed 143 survivors - men, women and children - under police guard. Surgeons are shocked by the
wounds - normally only seen in battle - multiple gunshot wounds, bones powdered by heavy callibre
bullets. Many wounds were inflicted from the victims' backs. Of the 143 admitted; there were 110
men, 29 women and 4 children. Three of those admitted to the hospital died. The bodies of those
who died were brought by truck to a mass funeral.
3 February 1960: Britain's MacMillan visits parliament in Cape Town and delivers his 'Winds of Change'
address.
"The wind of change is blowing through this continent. Whether we like it or not, this growth of
national consciousness is a political fact....As a fellow member of the Commonwealth it is our earnest
desire to give South Africa our support and encouragement, but I hope you won't mind my saying
frankly that there are some aspects of your policies which make it impossible for us to do this
without being false to our own deep convictions about the political destinies of free men to which in
our own territories we are trying to give effect."
Click here to read Hendrik Verwoerd's response to the 'Winds of Change' adress.
Basil D'Oliviera leaves South Africa for England, to pursue a
career in a country without a colour bar.
Shortly afterwards the ANC and PAC are banned
The last appearance (until 1992) of South Africa at the olympics.
1959
Es’kia Mphahlele publishes his memoir, “Down Second Avenue”, illustrating the injustices of
apartheid. The memoir covers his early childhood and manhood.
1959
Led by Robert Sobukwe, the Pan Africanist Party (PAC) is formed.
1958
The National Party, led by Hendrik Verwoerd, wins a majority of the seats in the 1958 South
African General Election.
Party
1958
Seats
United Party
53
National Party
103
TOTAL
156
The Promotion of Black Self-Government Act, which set up independent "homelands" for black
people (in practice, the apartheid government had a strong influence over these homelands).
1956
The Mines and Work Act, formalising racial discrimination in employment.
1953
The National Party, led by DF Malan, wins a majority of the seats in the 1953 South African General
Election.
Party
United Party
Seats
57
Herenigde Nasionale Party 94
Labour Party
5
TOTAL
156
1953
The Bantu Education Act, designed to reduce the level of education attainable by black people.
1953
The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, prohibiting people of different races from using the same
public amenities, such as drinking fountains, restrooms, etc,...
1950
The South African Communist Party is banned.
27 April
The Group Areas Act, barring people of particular races from various urban areas.
1950
1950
The Population Registration Act, requiring all citizens to register as black, white or coloured.
6 April
1950
Patrick Chamusso is born in Mozambique.
1950
Amendment to The Immorality Act, making it a criminal offence for a white person to have any
sexual relations with a person of a different race.
17 Dec
1949
The ANC Youth League's 'Program of Action' is adopted by the ANC at its annual conference. The
program advocates the use of strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience and noncooperation to achieve full
citizenship and direct parliamentary representation for all South Africans.
1949
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act
26 May
1948
The National Party wins the most seats in the 1948 South African General Election on its policy of
racial segregation (later to become known by the afrikaans word Apartheid) and comes to power.
Party
United Party
Seats
65
Herenigde Nasionale Party 70
Afrikaners Party
9
Labour Party
6
Independents
3
TOTAL
153
PW Botha is elected to parliament for the first time as a members of the Herenigde Nasionale Party Botha will later become President of South Africa.
1946
India severs trade relationships with the Union of South Africa, in protest against its discriminatory
treatment of people with an Asian origin.
18 Jul
1918
Nelson Mandela is born.
1918
Secret Broederbond is formed to advance the Afrikaner cause.
Jan
Smuts
1917
"It has now become an accepted axiom in our dealings with the Natives that it is dishonourable to
mix white and black blood... We have felt more and more that if we are to solve our Native question,
it is useless to try to govern black and white in the same institutions of government and legislation.
They are different not only in colour but in minds and in political capacity..." Jan Smuts speaking at
the London Savoy Hotel
OR
Tambo
27 Oct
1917
Oliver Reginald Tambo is born in Mbizana, a rural town in
eastern Mpondoland in what was then the Cape Province
(now Eastern Cape).
1917
The first recorded use of the word "apartheid", in a speech by Jan Smuts.
1916
PW Botha is born.
1914
Ghandi is arrested for the first time in South Africa.
1914
National party is formed.
1913
The Land Act is introduced, which prevent blacks (except those living in the Cape Province) from
buying land outside reserves.
16 Aug
1908
Mohandas 'Mohatma' Ghandi (a Hindu) leads 3000 Muslims, Hindus and Christians to burn their
passes in the courtyard of the Hamidia Mosque in Newtown, Johannesburg.
11 Sep
1906
Mohatma Ghandi coins the term "Satyagraha" to describe South Africa's non-violent movement.
1904
The Chinese Exclusion Act is passed.
8 Sep
1901
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd is born in Amsterdam.
1894
Krom Hendricks, a Cape Malay, is excluded from the first South African cricket team to tour England.
Hendricks, a fast bowler, had been singled out by the visiting English captain of 1892 as central to
any South African side that might be selected to tour England. Hendricks' fate was sealed when the
head of South African cricket, Sir William Milton, vetoed Hendricks’s selection (after consulting the
Cape Prime Minister, Cecil John Rhodes).
1838
End of slave "apprenticeship", which started in 1834.
1834
Slavery is abolished and slaves become "apprentices" for 4 years.
1753
The governor of the Cape Colony, Rijk Tulbagh, prepares a set of rules to govern the control of
slaves was prepared by (these became known as the Tulbagh Code):










1653
A curfew existed for slaves, who had to be indoors by ten o'clock at night. If they were out
later they were required to carry a pass and a lantern.
Slaves were not allowed passage through the streets of Cape Town on horseback or in a
wagon.
Slaves were forbidden to sing, whistle, or make any kind of sound at night.
Slaves could not enter public houses or bars (taphuis).
Slaves could not congregate in groups on public holidays.
Slaves were not allowed to wait near a church entrance during service.
Slaves could not stop to converse on the streets of Cape Town, at risk of being publicly
caned.
Slaves who made false claims or insulted freemen of the Cape were to be punished by public
flogging and to be held in chains.
Slaves who proffered violence to their masters were to be put to death, no mercy may be
shown to such offenders.
Slaves were not permitted to carry, or own, firearms
The first slave in the Cape Colony, Abraham van Batavia, arrives.