Timelines
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General South African History Timeline: 1500s
The Portuguese begin mapping and exploring the South African coastline and basic trading takes place between the Khoikhoi and the Europeans…
General South African History Timeline: 1600s
European's settle in South Africa for the first time and begin to further colonize and trade with the Khoikhoi at the cape, by the middle…
General South African History Timeline: 1700s
1700 The first "placaat" (ordinance or statute) restricting the importation of Asian slaves is promulgated. Dlamini chiefdoms move…
General South African History Timeline: 1800s
1799-1802 Khoi-San rise up in an unsuccessful but protracted rebellion in the eastern districts of the Cape in what becomes known as the…
General South African History Timeline: 1900s
1900 7 May, Paul Kruger addresses the volksraad for the last time before being forced to travel on the Delagoa line to Machadodorp, where…
General South African History Timeline: 1910s
1910 Anti-Indian Legislation: The Public Servants Superannuating Act and Teachers Pensions Act. This furthers discrimination against…
General South African History Timeline: 1920s
July, Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of South Africa (ICU) is established as national Black trade union in Bloemfontein. 11…
General South African History Timeline: 1930s
9 July, The Executive of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) meets in Durban and appoints S.R. Naidoo as the SAIC's nominee to the…
General South African History Timeline: 1940s
1940 Dr. A.B. Xuma is elected President-General of the African National Congress (ANC). Walter Sisulu joins the African National…
General South African History Timeline: 1950s
1950 - 1960 In Fietas, Johannesburg, the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) initiates and implements the 'Decade of Defiance'. 1950 …
General South African History Timeline: 1960s
1960 1 January, Minister of Bantu Education assumes control of University College of Fort Hare.African students are prohibited from…
General South African History Timeline: 1970s
1970 11 June, It is announced that Security Police have arrested the leader of the Soweto Students’ Representative Council (SSRC), Dan S…
General South African History Timeline: 1980s
1980 is declared the Year of the Charter, marking the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom charter in 1955. 1980 SACTU…
General South African History Timeline: 1990s
1990 Nelson Mandela is released from prison. 27 townships declared unrest areas in terms of the Public Safety Act No 3 of 1953. …