Allan Boesak, clergyman and politician, is born in Kakemas in South Africa. When other Black political leaders were arrested or in exile Boesak established himself as a spokesperson for Black South Africans against apartheid. During his involvement in politics Boesak occupied influential positions. In 1982 he became the President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, which claimed to represent about 70 million Protestants worldwide. He was also a founding member of the United Democratic Front in 1983. In 1991 he was elected chairperson of African National Congress (ANC) in Western Cape. His meteroric rise was checked in 1985 when international funders investigated his misappropriation of money for which he was responsible for disbursing to children. In 1999 he was convicted of fraud and imprisoned. He was recently granted a Presidential pardon.
23 February 1945
Allan Boesak is born

- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019

How we know this
- 01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
- 02who'swho, Allan Boesak, from Who'sWho, [online], Available at https://whoswho.co.za [Accessed: 18 February 2014]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Allan Boesak is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011660
South African History Online (2011) 'Allan Boesak is born', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011660 (Accessed: 26 October 2026).
South African History Online, Allan Boesak is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011660, (accessed 26 October 2026).
"Allan Boesak is born." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011660. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Allan Boesak is born." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011660.
Also on 23 February
- 1943Fietas, site of forced removal in Johannesburg, is renamed Pageview
- 1962Helen Suzman condemns the Immorality Act in Parliament
- 1963Fifteen African states tabled a draft resolution at the UN denouncing racial discrimination
- 1974Vorster deplores WWC aid to liberation movements
- 1974SA cricketer, Herschelle Gibbs is born
- 1981PW Botha states that the Soviets will not prevent South Africa from attacking ANC bases in Mozambique
- 1991Allan Boesak marries Elna Botha
- 1998Botha pleads not guilty to contempt charges
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