SAHO global search
1,025 records
ArticleThe Freedom Charter Campaign
The adoption of the Freedom Charter by the Congress of the People was widely recognised both in South Africa and internationally as an event of major political…
ArticleHistory of Africa Day - 25 May
After World War II, the process of decolonization of the African continent gathered momentum as Africans increasingly agitated for more political rights and…
Documents, speeches, Awards, and articles relating to Albert John Luthuli
Awards In 1960, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee made history by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Albert Luthuli in recognition of his outstanding…
ArticleRuth First timeline 1925-2012
1925 4 May, Ruth Herloise First is born in Johannesburg to Julius and Matilda First, Jewish immigrants (from Latvia and Lithuania, respectively) who helped…
ArticleThe Congress of the People, Kliptown 1955
The adoption of the Freedom Charter by the Congress of the People was widely recognised both in South Africa and internationally as an event of major political…
ArticleSouth African major mass killings timeline 1900-2012
Between the 20th and 21st century, a number of people lost their lives in South Africa amid liberation struggle. However, some of these events were carried out…
ArticleAfrican National Congress Timeline 1950-1959
After coming to power in 1948, the National Party-led government began implementing apartheid by passing a series of racist laws, notably the Population…
ArticleChief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli timeline 1800 - 1967
Historical Context to Chief Luthuli Chronology While Chief Luthuli himself preferred another spelling and signed his name without an 'h', his surname is…
ArticleNelson Mandela Timeline 1990-1999
1990 2 February, President F. W. de Klerk makes a speech at the opening of Parliament, announcing the lifting of a 30-year ban on the ANC, the Pan African…
ArticleJames Sebe Moroka Timeline 1892 - 2012
1892 16 March, James Sebe Moroka is born in Thaba Nchu., Bophuthatswana in the Free State province. 1909 Moroka completes his primary school education,…
ArticleSharpeville
On 19 March 1960, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) called on Black South Africans to leave their pass books at home and thereafter gather peacefully at police…
Formation and launch of the UDF
UDF launch at Mitchell's Plain in Cape Town. Source: http://www.nelsonmandela.org In the late 1970s moves to form united front against apartheid were set in…
ArticleHighlights for 2013
South African History Online believes that history is made every day and to that effect we have compiled what we feel are the key historical events of 2013. We…
ArticleSouth African Constitution: The Bill of Rights
On 21 March, South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day. This day is a commemoration of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and how far the nation has come in the…
ArticleNelson Mandela Timeline 1950-1959
1950 In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Mandela trained at the Donaldson Orlando Community Centre. He excelled at boxing and shared his love of the sport…
ArticleYusuf Dadoo Timeline: 1950 - 1959
Yusuf Dadoo Timeline: 1950 - 1959 1950 January 6-8, The Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) holds its last legal conference in Johannesburg prior to…
ArticleNelson Mandela Timeline 1980-1989
1980 25 January, Three MK cadres, on their way to carry out a sabotage mission, take refuge in the Silverton branch of Volkskas Bank after realising they were…
Article1960s: The Civil Rights and Black Power movements
Introduction It is important to note that South African events do not occur in a vacuum, as we are part of a large continent and a much larger world…
1947-Joint Declaration of Cooperation
 1947 "Joint Declaration of Cooperation" Signed by Dr A.B. Xuma, President of the African National Congress, Dr G.M. Naicker, President of the Natal…
ArticleWomen and the struggle against Apartheid
Introduction Full feature on the History of Women’s struggle in South Africa will give a broader view of the role played by women in the struggle for freedom…
ArticleSouth African Constitutional Development Timeline 1902 - 1997
1902 31 May, The Peace Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Anglo-Boer War that began in 1899. The Treaty is signed between Boer and British leaders. 1908 12…
ArticleAlbertina Sisulu Timeline 1918 - 2011
1918 21 October Nontsikelelo Thethiwe was born in the village Camama in the Tsomo district of the Transkei to a very large family. Circa 1926 Albertina…
ArticleBisho Massacre 1992
At a time when the country was in mourning for those killed in the Boipatong Massacre of 17 June 1992, the Bisho Massacre added to the bleak political…
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…
ArticleOliver Tambo Speeches 1971-1979
1971 Statement by OR Tambo to the People of South Africa on the 10th Anniversary of Umkhonto we Sizwe. 16 December 1971 1972 "Speech by Oliver…
Growth of African Nationalism and Defiance
The 1940s saw a growth of African nationalism that positioned itself to challenge the rising Afrikaner nationalism. The ANC which was weak in the 1920 and…
ArticleSouth African Coloured People Organisation (SACPO)
Like all other Black ethnic groups, the Coloureds also fell victim to segregation and repressive legislations enacted by Colonial and successive governments…
ArticleDefiance Campaign timeline 1948-1952
1948 May 26, The National Party (NP) wins election and immediately introduces apartheid (separateness) measures against Blacks, Indian immigrants and those…
ArticleAzanian People’s Organization (AZAPO)
In aftermath of the June 16 Uprising, the government cracked down on student activists and organisations alike. On 19 October 1977 the Black Consciousness…
ArticleSouth African Coloured Peoples Organisation (SACPO)
Like all other Black ethnic groups, the Coloureds also fell victim to segregation and repressive legislations enacted by Colonial and successive governments…