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. Political organisations like African National Congress (ANC),South African Communist Party (SACP), PAC and others were banned the previous year under the Unlawful Organisations Act of 1950.

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". This confrontation between Voortrekkers and Zulu regiments became known as the name "Battle of Blood River". December 16 remained a rallying point for the development of Afrikaner nationalism, culture and identity. However, in 1952 the name of the day was changed to Day of Covenant. After the first democratic elections in 1994, December 16 continued to form part of the history of post apartheid South Africa. On 16 December 1995 the name was changed once more and was celebrated as a public holiday known as Day of Reconciliation. The establishment of December 16 as a public holiday was an attempt to strike a balance between a divided past and promoting national unity and reconciliation in a new political dispensation.

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. After this development, Zenawi became head of the interim government. The country was now taking a new path, moving away from the grip of ethnic strife.On taking over as head of the new government, Zenawi promised a democratic dispensation for his nation of 50 million, as well as economic and agricultural reforms.

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). Out of the banning of these liberation movements the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) was founded to carry on the work of liberation as an overt organisation. The organisation adopted the Black Consciousness philosophy advocated by Steven Biko and continued to propagate it in it programmes. During the apartheid years AZAPO became increasingly divided with some of its members adhering to the African National Congress' (ANC) Freedom Charter which promotes non-racialism. AZAPO boycotted the 1994 democratic elections; however, it has since participated in all subsequent elections.

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. The Commission heard testimonies from all members of South African society about political crimes, violence and human rights abuses that had not been disclosed. The Commission was charged with the responsibility to prosecute alleged perpetrators or grant amnesty. The TRC consisted of different committees, namely the Human Rights Violations (HRV), Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) and Amnesty Committees (AC).

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. She met her husband Marshall Maxeke during her stay in the US. Upon her return to South Africa, Maxeke took up teaching and also took part in political activities in the African National Congress (ANC). She co-founded the Bantu Women's League of South Africa, later renamed the ANC Women's League. Maxeke died on 16 October 1939. Johannesburg Hospital has been renamed the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in honor of her contribution to the freedom struggle.

On 3 April 1968, South Africa Prime Minister B.J. Vorster announced that five 'non-White' South African University Colleges will be released from their association with the University of South Africa (UNISA). Henceforth the University College of Fort Hare, University College of Durban-Westville, University College of the Western Cape, University College of Zululand and University College of the North were separate entities. Among other things, the institutions were to be called universities and would be subject to certain conditions, be free to provide their own teaching and conduct examinations independently of UNISA. All the five university colleges played a tremendous role in shaping the history of South Africa during the liberation struggle.

On 14 March, 1994, the Transitional Executive Council (TEC) management committee decided on a new administration for Bophuthatswana. The decision followed a widespread revolt that gripped Bophuthatswana as demonstrators demanded the reincorporation of the nominally independent homeland into the Republic of South Africa and clashed with the police. South African troops in armoured vehicles were sent into the capital of Mmabatho after around 50 people were killed and scores were injured during violent clashes in the homeland. Mangope was removed from office by South African Foreign Minister Pik Botha and TEC member Mac Maharaj. Chief Lucas Mangope was overthrown as leader of Bophuthatswana and Dr. Tjaart van der Walt was appointed as the territory's new administrator.

On 19 February 1962, the first part of the South African Press Commission's first report was tabled in parliament by the Minister of the Interior, de Klerk. The report, which had taken eleven years of planning, was made up of two volumes totalling 700 pages, with nineteen annexures running to 1,566 pages. The report strongly recommended that the South African Press association (SAPA) gives more coverage to the Afrikaans-language press. The move came two years after the country declared itself a Republic and disassociated itself from the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1964, The New York Times reported that the South African Press Commission raised a storm in Parliament when it presented a 4,262-page report condemning foreign press and proposing controls over news leaving the country.

African National Congress (ANC) leaders, Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe went from house to house in Orlando, Soweto near Johannesburg rallying support amongst community members against the government's Bantu Urban Councils Act. The Bantu Urban Councils Act, Act No 79 of 1961 created black councils in urban areas that were linked to authorities in the homelands. The secret activity by Sisulu and Nokwe was conducted at a very difficult time in the history of the ANC as it was banned along with other liberation movements like Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), South African Communist Party (SACP) and others. These liberation movements, banned under the Unlawful Organisations Act in April 1960, were forced to conduct their political activities underground.