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EventProfessor John Fleming “Jack” Brok dies
On 3 July 1983, John Fleming (Jack) Brock died – he was a scientist, physician and a professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town…
EventThe first flight in Kimberley takes off
In 1907, four years prior to flying on his aeroplane in Kimberley, John Weston embarked on the construction of his own aeroplane in Brandfort, in the Orange…
PlacePublic Library, Port Elizabeth
The building was designed Henry Cheers, an Architect from Twickenham. The Library was officially opened on 29 July 1902. It was built in the late Victorian…
EventSA cartoonist, Daniel Cornelis Boonzaaier is born
South African cartoonist Daniël Cornelis Boonzaaier was born at Patatsrivier in the Cape Province in 1865. Boonzaaier became famous for his caricatures and…
EventMpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time
Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela made headlines when they were born conjoined at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on 7 December 1986.The twin girls were joined at…
EventNigeria becomes the first Anglophone independent state in Africa to become an associate member of EEC
Nigeria became the first Anglophone, independent African state to become an associate member of the European Economic Community, (EEC). The move to become an…
Document 10 - Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union of Africa, Flyer announcing Third Annual Conference, 17 January 1923
From: South Africa's Radical Tradition, a documentary history, Volume One 1907 - 1950, by Allison Drew Document 10 - Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union…
EventNigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom
Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960. And an Executive Council, made up entirely of Nigerians, was led by a Prime Minister,…
EventSouth African Journalist, Zwelakhe Sisulu is abducted.
Zwelakhe Sisulu was a prominent journalist in the apartheid era who fought for justice and freedom. Sisulu was the founder and editor of the New Nation…
EventArchibald Gumede, former President of the United Democratic Front, is born in Pietermaritzburg.
Archibald Archie Gumede was born on 1 March 1914 in Pietermaritzburg. He studied at the South African Native College (now University of Fort Hare), but…
EventChief Kaiser Matanzima is elected Chief Minister
Born in the Eastern Cape, Chief Daliwonga Kaiser Matanzima was made paramount chief of the emigrant Thembu clan. He was a strong proponent of the Apartheid…
EventSouth Africa withdraws from the Commonwealth
On 5 October 1960 a referendum of White voters was held to decide whether South Africa should become a republic. The result showed that 52% were in favour of a…
EventSouth African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) is formed
The South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) was formed during an Inaugural Conference held on 4 and 5 March 1955 in the Trades Hall, Johannesburg. SACTU…
EventCharlotte Maxeke dies
Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke, teacher, social worker, politician and founder of the Bantu Women's League of South Africa, died in Johannesburg at the age of 65. In…
EventWell-known political activist and academic, Dr. Neville Alexander is born
A well-known political activist and academic, Neville Edward Alexander was born on 22 October, 1936 in Cradock, Eastern Cape. He went on to complete three…
EventLondon hosts an international conference on the protection of the African elephant and rhinoceros
On this day in history, and international conference was held to implement legislation to protect the African elephant and rhinoceros. This is because due to…
EventA national congress, under auspices of the Dutch Reformed Church, meets to discuss the ‘poor White problem’
The 'poor White problem' or the Armblankevraagstuk as it was referred to in Afrikaans, was a significant political issue in South Africa in the late 19th…
EventThe Balfour Declaration is accepted
The 1926 Imperial Conference, held in London from 25 October, accepted the Balfour Declaration, named after Lord Arthur Balfour who chaired the drafting…
EventZimbabwe becomes a member of the United Nations (UN)
Zimbabwe's pre-colonial history is synonymous with the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, after which the country is now named. Following colonisation by Britain,…
EventThe Azanian People’s Organisation is formed
The Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) was formed at an inaugural conference in Roodepoort, near Johannesburg. The organisation was based on the philosophy…
EventSipho Malaza allegedly dies in detention
A Black high school student, Sipho Malaza, presumably died on this day thirty years ago while in Security Police custody. His death was the twenty-first in…
EventDanie Malan, SA athlete, sets a new world record in the 1 000m event in Munich
On 24 June 1973, South African athlete Danie Malan set a new world record in the middle distance 1000m event in Munich. Malan was raised in the Boland area of…
EventSouth African invention lands on the moon
Krugersdorp was the hometown of engineer George Pratley who founded the Pratley research group (PTY) and went on to invent Pratley Putty in the early 1960's…
EventDr. Silas Modiri Molema dies in Mafikeng
Dr Seetsele Silas Modiri Molema, medical doctor, politician and historian, died in Mafeking at the age of 74. He was the eldest son of Silas Thelesho Molema,…
EventFive ANC leaders are released from prison
On 15 October 1989, five of the eight African National Congress (ANC) long term political prisoners were released from Robben Island. Among those leaders who…
Maqubela and Dyandyi are sentenced for necklacing
City Press reported that Wonke Maqubela and Neliswa Nohnuhna Dyantyi Busika, accused in a necklace trial in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, and found guilty of…
EventSamora Machel, president of Mozambique, dies in a plane crash
On 19 October 1986, the Mozambique President, Samora Machel and thirty-three other passengers, died when their Tupolev 134 plane crashed into the Lebombo…
EventBreyten Breytenbach; SA poet, activist and painter, receives the Hertzog Prize for his poetry
Breyten Breytenbach, South African poet, painter and activist, received the Hertzog Prize for his two Afrikaans poetry volumes, an elegy 'Oorblyfsels: 'n…
EventDiscovery of the wreck of passenger liner SS Waratah
On 26 July 1909, the SS Waratah, with 211 passengers and crew departed from Durban bound for Cape Town, and disappeared without a trace. For 90 years the fate…
EventSA President Nelson Mandela to step down
On 7 July 1996, in a television broadcast President Nelson Mandela confirmed the rumours that he would not stand for re-election in 1999. This is in accordance…