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Artist Bill Ainslie is born
William Stewart (Bill) Ainslie, South African artist and founder of several art training projects, was born in Bedford, Eastern Cape as a descendent of an…
EventDonald James Wood journalist and Anti apartheid activists is born
Donald James Woods was born in Elliotdale, Transkei on 15 December 1933. He was educated at Christian Brothers College in Kimberley. After completing his…
Mahatma Gandhi is released from Indian jail
EventDr Stanley Mogoba is born in Polokwane
Dr. Stanley Mogoba, future president of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in 1997, was born in Polokwane on this day. He was detained on Robben Island during…
EventHertzog and Smuts to form a coalition
Nationalists were stunned by the announcement of seven points according to which Gen. J.B.M. Hertzog was willing to cooperate with Gen. J.C. Smuts to form a…
EventAlbert Nzula dies in Moscow
Albert Nzula, teacher, journalist and leader of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), died of pneumonia in Moscow, USSR. He left SA in 1931 to study in…
EventMapungubwe is ‘discovered’
The ancient city of Mapungubwe (meaning 'hill of the jackal') is an Iron Age archaeological site in the Limpopo Province. It is on the border between South…
EventSouth Africa abandons the Gold Standard, sparking a period of economic expansion
As the Great Depression set in, many countries (including Great Britain) abandoned their gold standard and devaluated their currencies. South Africa, however, …
EventSA experiences a monetary crisis due to the heavy drain of gold from the country during the Great Depression
The Great Depression had a profound effect on economies around the world and South Africa was no exception. South Africa's greatest exports at the time were in…
EventAmy Johnson, a female aviator, lands in Cape Town in record time
Amy Johnson obtained her pilot's license from the London Aeroplane Club in 1929. After purchasing a second-hand aircraft, she made history by becoming the…
EventLuc Montagnier, virologist who discovered the human immunodeficiency virus, is born
On 18 August 1932, Luc Montagnier was born in Chabris, France. He studied natural sciences at the University of Poitiers and received his license of sciences…
EventC.J. Langenhoven dies in Oudtshoorn
Cornelis Jacob Langenhoven, SA author and writer of the words of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa), died at his home 'Arbeidsgenot' in…
EventDr Louis Luyt is born
Dr Louis Luyt , SA entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, former president of the SA Rugby Football Union and politician, was born in Britstown, Cape Province…
EventPik Botha is born
Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of President F.W. de Klerk was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North West…
EventNovelist and poet Kgadime Matsepe is born
Kgadime Oliver (Phukubjane) Matsepe, Northern Sotho novelist and poet, is born in Magagamatala (Brakfontein or Mmitse), Groblersdal district. He was twice…
EventSculptor Lucas Sithole is born in KwaThema
Lucas Sithole, renowned South African sculptor, was born in KwaThema, Springs, Transvaal (now Gauteng) to a Zulu father and a Swazi mother. He created more…
EventPretoria receives city status
On 14 October 1931, Pretoria achieved official city status. The city was established in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, a leader of the Voortrekkers who named it…
EventArchbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal
Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, former…
EventHendrik Jacobus Coetsee is born
Jacobus "Kobie" Coetsee, former minister of justice in the government of F.W De Klerk, was born in Ladybrand, Orange Free State. Both his parents were members…
South African veteran journalist and author Doc Bikitsha is born
EventPolitical activist Molly Blackburn is born
Political activist and civil rights campaigner Molly Blackburn, widely respected by Blacks, was born in Port Elizabeth. In 1981 she started her political…
EventSelassie becomes emperor
Ras (Duke) Tafari was crowned as Emperor Haile Selassie in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, after the death of Empress Zaudito. After 45 years of rule, Selassie was…
EventWhite women achieve suffrage in South Africa
The roots of White women's suffrage in South Africa began with the founding of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1899. The goal of this…
EventJosiah Gumede is succeeded by Pixley ka Isaka Seme as ANC president
In January 1912, Pixley Seme, Alfred Mangena, Richard Msimang and George Montsio called for a convention of Africans to form the South African Native National…
EventTafari Makonnen proclaimed Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
Born in 1891 (some sources say 1894), Tafari Makonnen, or Haile Selassie, as he was later known, was born the son of Ras Makonnen Wolde Michael, the Governor…
EventPetrus Jacobus (Arrie) Paulus is born
Petrus Jacobus (Arrie) Paulus, General Secretary of the Mineworkers' Union in 1967, is born in Pretoria. Click here for more on Arrie Paulus. Read more about…
EventSculptor Tavhana is born in Dzanani
South African carver and sculptor Tshikudo Paul Tavhana (also Thavhana), was born in Dzanani, Venda (now Limpopo Province).
EventThe AA is formed to coordinate motoring clubs
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) was formed at a meeting in Port Elizabeth attended by several provincial and other motoring clubs, in order to…
EventPetronella Nellie du Toit South African soprano singer is born
Nellie duToit was born on 17 December 1929 in Pietersburg (now Polokwane) into a musical family. Thus, Nellie du Toit began her singing career at tender age of…
EventEli Weinberg arrives in South Africa from Latvia
Eli Weinberg arrives in South Africa from Latvia. Eli Weinberg (1908-1981), a member of the South African Communist Party and trade union activist, was famous…