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EventGerman Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, famous German commander of German forces in North Africa, dies on this day
The legendary German general was known as the "Desert Fox for his brilliant military exploits in north Africa during the Second World War. He was born in…
EventTrader and philanthropist Mohamed Joosub dies
On 27 August 1944, a pioneer wholesaler, trader, philanthropist and devout Muslim, Mohamed Hajee Joosub, died in Pretoria. Joosub left his birth place Ranavav,…
EventThe SA 6th Division enters Florence in World War II
At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the South African government was divided on the issue of participation. However, the vote to fight on the side of the…
EventAfrican National Congress Youth League is founded
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) is the youth wing of the African National Congress. It was formed in 1944 by members of the ANC who believed…
EventOscar Dumisani Dhlomo, politician and businessman, is born
Politician and businessman Oscar Dhlomo was born at Putellos, Umbumbulu, Natal. Dhlomo served in the homeland government of Kwa-Zulu under the leadership of…
EventAfrican’s Claim is presented at the conference
At the annual conference of the African National Congress (ANC) held in Bloemfontein, the document the African's Claim in South Africa, presented by the…
EventWW2: A German bomb fired off Algeria’s coast sinks British transport ship (HMT Rohna) carrying US soldiers.
Built in 1926, the aging steam ship was pressed into service as a troop transport by the Royal Navy and had already carried thousands allied of troops to…
EventSA Prime Minister speaks before the British Parliament
In believing that his policies had finally been accepted by White South Africans, Prime Minister Jan Christiaan Smuts started to redirect his energy to world…
EventPaul Mosaka establishes the African Democratic Party
Paul Ramotsoane Mosaka, an influential businessman, in conjunction with Senator Hyman Basner established the African Democratic Party (ADP). The organisation…
EventGovernor-General Sir Patrick Duncan dies
Governor-general of the Union of South Africa, Sir Patrick Duncan, died in Pretoria at the age of 72. He came to South Africa as Sir Alfred Milner's private…
SA boxer Pierre Fourie is born
EventMember of the African National Congress and Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Thizwilondi Mabudafhazi is born
Member of the African National Congress and Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs since 17 June 1999, Rejoice (Joyce) Thizwilondi Mabudafhazi was born in…
EventSA artist Mmakgoba Sebidi is born
South African artist Mmakgoba Helen Sebidi was born in Marapyane (Skilpadfontein) in the Hammanskraal area. Her grandmother, a traditional artist, was her…
EventFietas, site of forced removal in Johannesburg, is renamed Pageview
Fietas, a western suburb of Johannesburg, was officially re-named Pageview in honour of Mr. J.J. Page, the Mayor of Johannesburg at the time. Up until this…
EventWWII: SA troops to fight in Europe
South African prime minister, General J.C. Smuts, asked parliament's approval to send troops to Europe, contrary to his promise in 1939 that SA troops would…
EventWW2: British 8th army marches into Tripoli
On 23 January 1943 the British 8th army marched into Tripoli, later occupying the Libyan capital in this World War Two battle. This was part of a series of…
EventGeneral Barry Hertzog, former South African Prime Minister, dies
James Barry Munnick Hertzog was born into a German immigrant family in 1866. He attended school in Kimberly and Stellenbosch, and completed a Bachelor's degree…
EventGerman torpedoes sink the SS Mendoza close to Durban
Torpedoes deployed by the U-178 a German submarine sank the SS Mendoza a ship bound for Durban on the Indian Ocean. The SS Mendoza was an ex-Vichy French ship…
EventThe Second Battle of El Alamein starts
After various North African operations late in June and in July 1942, Lt.-Gen. B.L. Montgomery, the new commander of the Eighth Army in World War 2, initiated…
EventCharles Nqakula , Minister of Safety and Security and Chairperson of the SACP, is born
Minister of Safety and Security of the Republic of South Africa since 7 May 2002 and current Chairperson of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Charles…
Britain invades the island of Madagascar, attempting to stop Vichy aid to the Axis Powers in the Indian Ocean.
EventChris Hani is born
Thembisile 'Chris' Hani, Chief of Staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, military arm of the African National Congress (ANC) and General-Secretary of the South African…
EventThe fall of the fortress town of Tobruk
The fall of the of the fortress town of Tobruk was a major blow to the Allied forces during World War Two, as the town contained substantial material, supplies…
EventJapanese submarines attack naval base in Madagascar
On 30 May 1942, Japanese submarines launched an attack on the Diego Suarez naval base off Madagascar. This attack was in support of the beleaguered Vichy…
EventTennis champion Frew Mcmillan is born in Springs
On 20 May 1942, Frew McMillan, doubles player with Bob Hewitt and Wimbledon tennis champion, was born in Springs. On his own, McMillan also won two pro single…
EventZola Skweyiya is born
Minister of Social Development of the Republic of South Africa since 17 June 1999, Dr Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya, was born in Simonstown. Skweyiya is the…
EventJacob Zuma, Former President of South Africa and of the ANC, is born.
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma was born on the 12 April 1942, at Inkandla, in KwaZulu Natal. At the age of 17, he joined the African National Congress (ANC),…
EventThe HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire sink near Colombo
The HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire, steaming towards Colombo, were sunk on 5 April 1942 after receiving notification of an impending Japanese raid on Ceylon …
EventWilliam Selborne Dies
William W. P. Selborne, British High Commissioner in SA and Governor of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, dies at the age of 82. His predecessor was Lord…
EventSimon Petros Matseke, prominent in African social and political life, dies in Pretoria
Peter Matseke was born in 1878 in Pretoria. When the Anglo-Boer War broke out, he was drafted as driver for Boer Commandos. Through that experience, he learnt…