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BiographyRobert Gabriel Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born on 21 February 1924, in Katama, a Jesuit mission station in the Zimbambe district, about 60km from Harare. He was the son of…
BiographyNithianandan ‘Elvis' Ganese Govender
Nithianandan Ganese Govender (Elvis) was born on 1 November 1958 in Esperanza, a village on the south coast of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal – KZN), on the eastern…
ArticleRivonia Trial 1963 - 1964
Often referred to as "the trial that changed South Africa,” in October 1963, ten leading opponents of apartheid went on trial for their lives on charges of…
BiographyAlfred Milner
Alfred Milner, a statesman and colonial administrator, became Governor of the Cape and High Commissioner of South Africa in 1897. He pushed the Transvaal…
BiographyIsaac Williams Wauchope
The esteemed teacher and journalist, Samuel E.K. Mqhayi described Isaac Williams Wauchope: “Rev Isaac Wauchope was truly handsome in appearance, a broad-faced…
BiographyThabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki was born on June 18 1942, in Mbewuleni (meaning ‘place of seed’), a tiny village in Idutywa in Transkei (now Eastern Cape). His middle…
ArticleLiberation history Timeline 1960-1969
The 1960s witnessed the banning of both the ANC and the PAC in the aftermath of the Sharpeville Massacre. In response to the banning, both parties were forced…
ArticlePoqo in the Western Cape and Transkei in the early 1960s
The formation of the Pan Africanist Congress’ (PAC) Africanist Task Force (ATF) preceded the formation of party’s military wing Poqo in February 1960. After…
ArticleAbram Fischer Timeline 1908-1975
1908 23 April, Abram (Bram) Fischer is born in Orange Free State to an auspicious family that includes Abraham Fischer, Brams grandfather, who was State…
ArticleNelson Mandela Timeline 1960-1969
1960 21 March, In a peaceful anti pass march led by the PAC at Sharpeville, the police open fire on the unarmed and peaceful crowd, killing 69 and wounding…
Historical Background of the Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court was established in 1994 by South Africa's first democratic constitution - the interim constitution of 1993. The Court, the key…
ArticleThe International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF)
The International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) was established by Canon L John Collins of St Paul’s Cathedral in 1956. Its mission was to work towards a…
Article2016 in Review
In 2016 South Africa History Online celebrates 15 years of being a public open source heritage site. What a journey it has been. At the end of the first week…
ArticleThe Jacob Zuma Presidency - 2009 to 2017 (March)
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma ascended to the South African presidency on 9 May 2009 on a wave of popular euphoria fuelled by voters and fellow party politicians…
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…
ArticleSouth African Communist Party (SACP)
On 30 July 2011, the South African Communist Party (SACP) celebrated its 90th anniversary. Initially known as the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), the…
ArticleThe Landless People’s Movement
In July 2001, The Landless People's Movement (LPM) was formed by leaders of various landless people of South Africa in response to evictions of farm workers…
EventThe Rivonia Trialists are charged with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the state
On this day in 1963, the Rivonia trialists were charged with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the South African government. This after a raid by…
EventThe trial of eleven Soweto students charged under the Terrorism Act begins
In September 1978 eleven Soweto students were charged under the Terrorism Act.The fifty-six page indictment alleged that as officers, members or supporters of…
ArticleThe death of Samora Machel
This feature celebrates Samora Machel and examines the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death and acknowledges the contribution that he made to…
ArticleGeneral South African History Timeline: 1950s
1950 - 1960 In Fietas, Johannesburg, the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) initiates and implements the 'Decade of Defiance'. 1950 Florence Matomela…
BiographyStephen Bantu Biko
IntroductionStephen (Steve) Bantu Biko was a popular voice of Black liberation in South Africa between the mid 1960s and his death in police detention in 1977…
EventThe UN General Assembly adopts resolution 1881, requesting South Africa to release all political prisoners
With the inception of apartheid in 1948, numerous repressive laws limited the freedom and movement of black South Africans. External resistance to the policy…
ArticleCosatu timeline
2010 19 January: (Congress of South African Trade Unions) COSATU affiliate The Food and Allied Workers' Union (FAWU) entered their third week of striking…
ArticleA Luta Continua Dialogues, Episode 2: Policing and Resistance
Guest Contributors: Anietie Ewang - Human Rights Watch Researcher, Nigeria afọpẹ́fólúwa òjó - Artist & Berlin based #EndSARS Organiser Miski Noir -…
ArticleThe missionaries
Missionaries arrived in Pondoland in 1830 when Faku, the ruler of the Mpondo Kingdom from 1818 to 1867, allowed Wesleyan missionaries to establish a mission…
EventProfessor Bob Hepple is born
Professor Bob Hepple was born in Johannesburg, Transvaal (now Gauteng). His father, Alex Hepple, was a trade unionist, Labour Party member and Chairman of the…
ArticleA Charge of Treason by Norman Levy
This article was taken from the book The Final Prize by Norman Levy (Chapter 12) A Charge of Treason When detectives invaded the Congress of the People on 26…
Event”Unknown” White man is hanged in Pretoria
For the first time in the South African criminal history a man was hanged with his name known only by authorities. The 37-year-old White male was accused of…
ArticleList of people banned under Apartheid
People banned under ApartheidNameAct/Section/Issued up to: (delivery date)Date on which notice expires:Other: (address, occupation etc.)Aba, LickardAct No. 44…