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ArticleUnited Democratic Front (UDF)
The United Democratic Front (UDF) was an anti-apartheid body that incorporated many anti-apartheid organisations. It was launched in 1983, in Mitchells Plain…
ArticleReactions to the formation of a republic
Different sections of the South African community reacted to the formation of the republic in different ways. The fact that the republic had now been achieved…
ArticleNational and Provincial Elections - 2024 - South Africa
Introduction President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new members of the National Executive, for the seventh administration, which includes all the parties…
ArticleFederation of South African Women by Skylar Jayes
This article was written by Skylar Jayes and forms part of the SAHO and Southern Methodist University partnership projectAbstractThe Federation of South…
ArticleThe People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN)
A Brief Overview The People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) was an armed wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), the major liberation…
ArticleInkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is a South African political organization, established by Chief Gatsha Buthelezi, which encouraged a resurgent Zulu nationalism…
ArticlePan Africanist Congress timeline 1959-2011
In 1959 the Africanists broke away from the ANC and formed the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). The histories of these two organisations are inextricably linked…
ArticleAZAPO’s Women’s Wing - Imbeleko
Imbeleko is the women's wing of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO), formed in 1982 to address the specific challenges faced by black women under…
ArticleANC January 8th Statements
The ANC in exile issued its first January 8th statement in 1972, the founding date of the ANC. This statement outlined the organisation’s programme for the…
ArticleBattle of Cuito Cuanavale 1988
Introduction The battle of Cuito Cuanavale and the Cuban intervention in Angola is one of the turning points in Southern African History. It led to the…
ArticleMandela and the South African Communist Party
Mandela and MK The late 1950s saw the first hints of an armed struggle occurring in certain parts of South Africa. Various types of armed resistance spread…
ArticleAfrican National Congress Timeline 1866-1909
In this period early African political organisations were formed; these organisations precipitated the formation of the African National Congress. 1866 …
ArticleSouth African Coloured People Organisation (SACPO)
Like all other Black ethnic groups, the Coloureds also fell victim to segregation and repressive legislations enacted by Colonial and successive governments…
ArticleuMkhonto weSizwe (MK) in exile
Introduction Following British victory in the South African War, the Union of South Africa was forged in 1910 under the British Commonwealth. The Union…
The National Flag
The national flag was designed by a former South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell, and was first used on 27 April 1994. The design and colours are a…
ArticleAfrican Peoples Democratic Union of Southern Africa (APDUSA)
The African People’s Democratic Union of Southern Africa (APDUSA) was launched in Duncan Village outside East London in March 1961. The launch followed a…
ArticleSouth African Congress of Trade Unions Timeline 1919-1997
1919 Formation of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of Africa (ICU). 1924 Introduction of Industrial Conciliation Act. 1941 Formation of…
Timeline: All-Africa Convention (AAC)
1935 15 December, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu, Prixley Ka Isaka Seme, President of the African National Congress (ANC), Africans from…
ArticleNelson Mandela Timeline 1990-1999
1990 2 February, President F. W. de Klerk makes a speech at the opening of Parliament, announcing the lifting of a 30-year ban on the ANC, the Pan African…
ArticleKingdoms of Southern Africa: Mapungubwe
Landing page contentThis topic provides a brief introductory overview of the settlements in the Limpopo Valley before Mapungubwe, and a brief concluding…
ArticleChieftaincy and Kingship in South Africa
Introduction In a democratic society, the observance of chieftaincy faces many problems. One of the key issues relates to chieftaincy operating on principles…
ArticleThe Namibian struggle for independence – 1966 – 1990 – a historical background
During the 1960s most of Africa’s countries had gained independence except for Namibia. Geographically, Namibia is made up of savannah, dry scrub land, as well…
ArticleThe Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) 1995
After the end of apartheid, as well as the release of political prisoners in the early 90s and the country’s transition from repressive rule to democracy in…
ArticleUnited Women’s Organisation (UWO)
The United Women’s Organisation (UWO) was launched in April 1981 with 400 delegates from the Western Cape attending. Some of the women who pioneered the…
ArticleLiberation history Timeline 1940-1949
The 1940s were characterised by changes that had a profound effect on the political landscape in South Africa. There was closer cooperation between the CPSA…
ArticleTutu and his role in the Truth & Reconciliation Commission
Background - "The Road to Reconciliation." South Africa experienced numerous human rights challenges during the apartheid era. The White-dominated government…
ArticleThe Society of Young Africa (SOYA)
The Society of Young Africa (SOYA) held its opening conference on 20th December 1951. Led by I. B. Tabata, SOYA was closely linked to the Non European Unity…
ArticleTimeline 20 years of Democracy 1994 to 2014
1994 27 April,South Africa's interim constitution which was adopted in November 1993 came into effect on 27th April 1994 to administer South Africa’s first…
Increasing repression and the turn to the armed struggle
A series of legislations were passed by the NP led government in the 1950s as it sought to deal with dissent and entrench apartheid. Leading political…
ArticleHow Unique was Slavery at the Cape?
The first slaves arrived at the Cape in 1658, despite Jan van Riebeeck's several prior attempts at requesting slaves for the settlement from the Heren XVII. On…