This Day in History: October 26, 1976
Additional Date: October 26, 1976
Paramount Chief of Eastern Pondoland, Botha Sigcau who had earlier supported Bantu Authorities was appointed the first President of Transkei at the opening session of the Transkei Assembly. Kaizer Matanzima became the Prime Minister as Transkei became the first Homeland to gain independence in 1976. On 30 December 1987, Major General Bantu Holomisa, commander of the Transkei Defence Force (TDF), led a bloodless coup against the Transkei government under Stella Sigcau.