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EventAmerican President Ronald Reagan reverses his earlier stance on South Africa and agrees to limited sanctions
During the late 1970 and early 1980s the Ford, Carter and Reagan administrations had tried to influence South African governments by working with them…
EventSchools closed in the Western Cape
Carter Ebrahim, Minister of Education and Culture for the mixed race community, announced that 454 out of a total of over 900 schools were going to be closed…
EventZola Budd breaks a world record
In a low key event in Crystal Palace, England, South African born athlete Zola Budd broke the 5 000 metres world record set by Ingrid Kristiansens of Norway by…
EventUDF activist Toto Dweba’s mutilated body is found
According to Coleman (ed.) in A Crime Against Humanity, the mutilated body of Toto Roy Dweba, member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and of the Natal…
Archbishop Tutu snubs P. W. Botha
EventPW Botha gives the “Rubicon” Speech in Durban
On the night of 15 August 1985, South Africa's President P. W. Botha delivered the infamous "Rubicon" Speech in Durban. Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time…
EventYouth rage follows the funeral of Victoria Mxenge
Political violence by the youth began after the funeral of assassinated Victoria Mxenge, a civil rights lawyer, who was respected and liked by the Congress of…
EventSoweto High School under siege
South African Defence Force soldiers, travelling in a convoy of more than ten armoured vehicles, surrounded the Thaba-Juluba high school in Soweto and arrested…
EventSir Patrick Manson, Scottish doctor and founder of tropical medicine is born
On 3 October 1844, Sir Patrick Manson was born in Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was an important physician at the time, and contributed to research…
EventBritain proclaims Natal a British colonial territory
British forces under Governor Sir George Napier took over Natal and proclaimed it a British Colony. A year later the colony was put under the Cape Colony…
EventDick King returns home after securing help for Port Natal
Dick King (Richard Philip) returned to Port Natal on board the Conch after his heroic rescue operation. King, accompanied by his young after-rider Ndongeni as…
Governor George Napier attempts to reoccupy Port Natal
EventThe first Dutch Reformed Church in the Orange Free State is founded
On 31 March 1842, Reverend Daniel Lindley instituted the first congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Orange Free State, which makes this day the…
Natal becomes a Voortrekker Republic
African slaves aboard Amistad revolt
EventThird Voortrekker Town Established
Regulations were proclaimed for the layout of Pietermaritzburg, the third Voortrekker town and the first in Natal. It was named after Piet Retief and Gerrit…
Voortrekker commando is ambushed by the Zulu army in the Battle of the White Umfolozi
EventThe possessions of Piet Retief are auctioned
Piet Retief's visit to Dingane's kraal in October 1837 was the beginning of an eventful relationship between the Zulu and the Voortrekkers. Retief was in high…
EventAndries Hendrik Potgieter establishes the town of Potchefstroom
Andries Hendrik Potgieter establishes the town of Potchefstroom after moving away from Natal and heading inland and eventually settling in the northern Free…
EventThe Battle of Blood River
On 16 December 1838 the Battle of Blood River took place near the Ncome River in KwaZulu Natal. The Battle of Blood River was between the Voortrekkers under…
EventGert Maritz (41), Voortrekker leader, dies.
On 23 September 1838 Gerhardus Marthinus (Gert) Maritz, Voortrekker leader, died at Sooilaer, in Natal (now kwaZulu Natal), he was 41 years old. The Great Trek…
EventPotgieter barters land from Chief Makwana
Commandant Andries Hendrik Potgieter, one of the leaders of the Voortrekkers, obtained the territory between the Vet and Vaal Rivers from the Bataung captain,…
EventSA sugar magnate Sir Hulett is born
Sir James Liege Hulett, Natal planter, industrialist and politician, was born in England and came to South Africa in 1857 at the age of 19. Hulett pioneered…
Robert Biggar and his force are killed
Zulu warriors ambush Piet Uys and his men at Italeni
Zulu King Dingane orders his forces to attack the unsuspecting remaining parties of Voortrekkers in Natal
EventZulu King Dingane orders the execution of Piet Retief’s men
Following the signing of Dingane and Retief's treaty, Piet Retief and his party were treated to a farewell dance by the Zulu impis at Ungungundlovu. They were…
Karl Gottlieb Mauch, purported to be the first man to discover gold in SA, is born in Stetten
EventPiet Retief’s Great Trek manifesto is completed
Piet Retief completes the manifesto that sets out the reasons why the Voortrekkers are leaving the Cape Colony. It is published in English in the Graham's Town…