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ArticleKora
The Korana or Kora were a nomadic Khoikhoi group that probably derived their name from a chief called Kora (or Gora), who was originally a leader of the…
ArticleIndustrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU)
During the 1920s, the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) - which changed its name to the African National Congress (ANC) in 1923 - did not…
ArticleHIV/Aids in South Africa
HIV/Aids is a deadly disease, which is currently not curable. The United Nations AIDS agency (UNAIDS) says the evidence that HIV is the underlying cause of…
ArticleFreedom Day: 27 April
Freedom Day on 27 April is an annual celebration of South Africa's first non-racial democratic elections of 1994. It is significant because it marks the end of…
Background to the Freedom Charter 1955
Defiance Campaign mass meeting The post-1948 period saw the African National Congress (ANC) abandoning its traditional reliance on tactics of moderation such…
BiographyMattheus Uys Krige
Mattheus Uys Krige and his contribution to the Second World War Mattheus Uys Krige (1910-1987) can certainly be counted among the most dynamic literary…
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…
BiographyDr. Abu Baker Asvat
This article was written by Michelle Hayman and forms part of the SAHO Public History Internship The ‘People’s Doctor’ ‘He struggled to liberate…
ArchiveWhy The EFF Is A Fascist Political Party by Gareth van Onselen, 26 March 2018
Following Julius Malema's recent comment, that he intended to "cut the throat of whiteness", by removing DA mayor Athol Trollip in Nelson Mandela Bay, I wrote…
The significance of the Bulhoek massacre today by Sam Matiase, 11 May 2015, South Africa
Sam Matiase says the ongoing struggle to reclaim stolen land is epitomised by the events of 1921 This Land, is ‘Holy Grounds’, Marking the 94th Anniversary…
Document 121 - A. Mon (M. N. Averbach), “The Colour Bar and the National Struggle for Full Democratic Rights”, Workers’ Voice, 1, 2, November 1944
From: South Africa's Radical Tradition, a documentary history, Volume One 1907 - 1950, by Allison Drew Document 121 - A. Mon (M. N. Averbach), "The Colour Bar…
Statement by Olive Tambo at the freedom rally organised by the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement, 26 January 1979, Dublin
Dear Friends and Comrades, We bring you greetings on behalf of the African National Congress, the cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), inside…
PlaceCypress Tea Gardens, Hermanus
Mystery and romance surround the original building. In those days it consisted of two stone and clay fisherman's cottages built in 1875 in the vernacular style…
PlaceBoys High School, Pretoria
It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 26 May 1978. National Cultural History and Open Air Museum, Pretoria. Pretoria Boys High…
Document 62 - Minutes of the meeting of the Workers’ Party of South Africa. Johannesburg Branch, held at 90 President Street, Johannesburg, 3 April 1936 at 8.20 p.m.
From: South Africa's Radical Tradition, a documentary history, Volume One 1907 - 1950, by Allison Drew Document 62 - Minutes of the meeting of the Workers'…
Document 61 - Minutes of the meeting of the Workers’ Party of South Africa, Johannesburg Branch, held at 90 President Street, Johannesburg, 25 March (1936) at 8.30 p.m.
From: South Africa's Radical Tradition, a documentary history, Volume One 1907 - 1950, by Allison Drew Document 61 - Minutes of the meeting of the Workers'…
Document 46 - Letter from the International Secretariat of the International left Opposition to Johannesburg comrades, 23 October 1932
From: South Africa's Radical Tradition, a documentary history, Volume One 1907 - 1950, by Allison Drew Document 46 - Letter from the International Secretariat…
Document 44 - Letter from Leon Trotsky to T. W. Thibedi, 4 September 1932
From: South Africa's Radical Tradition, a documentary history, Volume One 1907 - 1950, by Allison Drew Document 44 - Letter from Leon Trotsky to T. W…
EventThe first ‘Bantustans’ or ‘homelands’ comes into existence when the Transkei Regional Authority is instituted
On 11 December 1963 the first of the 'Bantustans' or 'homelands' came into existence when the Minister of Bantu Administration and Development, De Wet Nel,…
EventThe first detainees are held under the apartheid regime’s 90-day Law
When the apartheid government introduced the General Law Amendment Act, the South African Security Police, or Special Branch, were given the authority to…
EventCôte d’Ivoire gains independence from France
The more recent pre-colonial history of CÁ´te d’Ivoire can be traced to the 17th century, with the establishment of the kingdom of Gyaaman. The capital,…
EventAlbert Luthuli is elected as an ANC President
The African National Congress (ANC) was founded as the SANCC in 1912. John Dube was its first president, and the well known writer and poet, Sol Plaatje, was…
EventArthur Robert Ashe Jr, prominent African American tennis player and vocal protester of apartheid, dies
Arthur Robert Ashe, a prominent African American tennis player who was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia died on 6 February 1993. He died of complications…
EventMilitary coup is executed in Lesotho
On 30 April 1991, the head of the Lesotho military, Maj.Gen Justin Lekhanya was ousted by rebel junior officers. The reasons for this coup was a long standing…
EventJohn Thomas Baines, South African painter, traveller and writer, is born
John Thomas Baines was born in England on 27 November 1820. Apprenticed to a coach painter at a young age, he left for South Africa in 1842 to work as a…
EventWomen protest against passes in the Free State
The first protest of women against the carrying of passes by women took place in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (now Free State), where there was a large…
PlaceAlexandra, Township in Johannesburg
A Township 13 kilometeres from North-East Johannesburg. The development of Alexandra Township dates back to 1912. Sometimes thought to be named in honour of…
PlaceRiverside
Riverside was a trading station providing staple goods to a predominantly rural indigenous clientele. It was already well-established when it was purchased by…
EventVerney Cameron is first European to cross equatorial Africa
Verney Lovett Cameron entered the British navy in 1857, taking part in the Abyssinian campaign of 1868 and in the suppression of the East African slave trade…
EventDr Robert Broom is born
This day in history, Robert Broom, known for having discovered “Mrs Ples”, was born in Paisley, Scotland. Though Broom was educated as a doctor, specializing…