Featured topics

Discover important themes, topics and events from South Africa's past with our picks

1946 African Mineworkers Strike
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This day in history

Find out who was born, who died and other significant events from this day in history

Violence erupts during Defiance Campaign
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History in Pictures

Significant or interesting images from history. Each image will guide you to related content.

Sophiatown We won't move graffiti

Pictured is a defiant slogan on a wall in Sophiatown in 1955. Sophiatown, a vibrant and diverse cultural hub during Apartheid, was destroyed. Image copyright: Jurgen Schadeberg

Image Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news
A Moravian missionary

A Moravian missionary, Johann Kienemann, visits schoolchildren in Engonjaneni in KwaZulu-Natal in 1933. 

Luthuli and Tambo 1959

Chief Albert Luthuli and Oliver Tambo at Johannesburg train station in May 1959.

UDF Launch

Frances Baard addressing the UDF in Mitchels Plain. Photograph by Paul Weinberg.

.

Image Source:
www.bruinou.com
Sketch by astronomer Sir John Herschel

Sketch by astronomer Sir John Herschel of his telescope under construction

Image Source:
library.si.edu
Walter Benson Rubusana

Walter Benson Rubusana was one of the founding members of the ANC.

Image Source:
www.dispatchlive.co.za
A Moravian missionary

A Moravian missionary, Johann Kienemann, visits schoolchildren in Engonjaneni in KwaZulu-Natal in 1933. 

Luthuli and Tambo 1959

Chief Albert Luthuli and Oliver Tambo at Johannesburg train station in May 1959.

UDF Launch

Frances Baard addressing the UDF in Mitchels Plain. Photograph by Paul Weinberg.

.

Image Source:
www.bruinou.com
Sketch by astronomer Sir John Herschel

Sketch by astronomer Sir John Herschel of his telescope under construction

Image Source:
library.si.edu
Walter Benson Rubusana

Walter Benson Rubusana was one of the founding members of the ANC.

Image Source:
www.dispatchlive.co.za
Sophiatown We won't move graffiti

Pictured is a defiant slogan on a wall in Sophiatown in 1955. Sophiatown, a vibrant and diverse cultural hub during Apartheid, was destroyed. Image copyright: Jurgen Schadeberg

Image Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news

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Biographies

Lives and stories of notable South Africans and people closely related to our history

Featured biographies

Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews

Mogoeng Thomas Mogoeng

Raymond Arthur Dart

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Explore the histories of other African countries organised by region.

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Classroom

Topics and articles for school learners and teachers. These sections are based on the current curriculum

Places

Search for the history of your city, town, suburb or village. You can also search for places of interest, monuments and centres or browse an alphabetical list

Featured Places

Camp’s Bay

Camp’s Bay

City Hall, Cape Town

City Hall, Cape Town

Chapman's Peak Drive

Chapman's Peak Drive

Timelines

Timelines show an overview of events and how they fit into the bigger picture. We have general timelines and timelines on specific topics

pre 1500
1500s
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Featured Timelines

Timeline of the 1973 Durban Strikes

Yusuf Dadoo Timeline

A history of Indians in South Africa Timeline: 1654-2008

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