General Muhamed Lamari, the head of Algeria's army, resigned for non-specific health reasons. Lamari had played a key role in the fight against Islamic fighters. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stated that Lamari would be succeeded by General Salah Ahmed Gaid, commander of ground forces and an ally of his, as chief military staff. Lamari had been an influential figure in the Algerian army, and led the army in a fight against Islamist rebels since 1992, when the army had seized power as a radical Muslim party was on the verge of an electoral victory.

The constitution of the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) is adopted at its inaugural conference and Steve Biko is elected president. Other leading party members include: Barney Pityana, Harry Nengwekhulu, Hendrick Musi, Petrus Machaka, Manana Kgware, Aubrey Mokoape, J Goolam and Strini Moodley. Though the new organisation is committed to a philosophy of Black Consciousness, it does not reject the liberalism of National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) right away.

Artist, Ronald Harrison caused controversy in 1962 when he painted African National Congress (ANC) leader, Albert Luthuli as Jesus. The painting, named Black Christ, depicts Luthuli crucified on the cross next to apartheid mastermind Hendrick Verwoed and former Minister of Justice John Vorster, who are depicted as Roman Soldiers. The painting not only challenged the apartheid system, but also the notion that Jesus was white. Harrison was arrested and the painting banned.

South African engineer, Nuno Gomes, entered the Guinness Book of Records for mankind's deepest dive ever on 13 June 2005. Gomes'318.25m plunge beat the record of 313m, set by Mark Ellyatt in Thailand in 2003. His target was a depth of 320, but he only managed 318.25, which still proved good enough for a world record. It took Gomes only 20 minutes to descend, but returning to the surface took an agonising 12 hours. The quick descend and slow return to surface is a technique used in extremely deep scuba diving. Gomes is one of very few people to have descended below depths of 250m.

Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hassim Jawad, announced that his country will not recognise the government of South Africa because of its apartheid policies. The announcement came after the Sharpeville massacre, when 69 people were killed by security police after a peaceful protest led by the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).The political conditions in South Africa were disturbing and the whole world was commemorating the first anniversary of the Sharpeville killings.

The decision to make December 16 a holiday named Dingaan's Day was in celebration for what Voortrekkers viewed as a 'victory' over Zulu warriors near the Ncome River in KwaZulu Natal. On that day an estimated 10 000-20 000 Zulu warriors led by Dingane's generals Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi attacked about 470 Voortrekkers at dawn. With the advantage of gun powder Zulu warriors were repelled with an estimated 3000 warriors killed. The blood of casualties flowed into Ncome River turning its water red earning it the nickname "Blood River".

On 28 May1991, Ethiopians People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) captured the capital of Ethiopia,Addis Ababa. The EPRDF was led by the Meles Zinawi, a popular rebel leader and probably the only candidate capable of unseating Mengistu Haile Mariam.Zinawi waged a successful rebel war against the forces of Mengistu and his appointment marked the end of years of civil war in the country.

In the aftermath of the 16 June 1976 Uprising, in Soweto, Johannesburg, the apartheid government banned all the organisations under the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) banner. The BCM organisations were the forces behind the uprising, these included among others, the Black People's Convention (BPC), the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) and the Black Community Programmes (BCP).

On 15 April 1996, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), under Chairman Archbishop Desmond Tutu, began its first formal hearings in East London City Hall. The South African TRC was set up by the Government of National Unity (the democratic government since 1994) to help deal with violations of human rights during the apartheid era.

Charlotte Maxeke was born on 7 April 1847 in Fort Beaufort in Cape Town. From a young age Maxeke showed musical talent. She finished primary school early and her parents moved to Kimberly, where Maxeke completed her secondary school. It was at this time that she took part in musical activities. She joined a choir, and traveled throughout Europe performing. One of the highlights was the 1897 Jubilee at the London Royal Albert Hall where she performed for the Queen. Maxeke then travelled to the US on a church scholarship, where she obtained her doctorate in Arts and Humanities.