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EventPolice open fire to disperse a rioting crowd in Cato Manor, Durban
Cato Manor, a shanty town, is situated 10 kilometres from the centre of Durban; it was named after Durban’s first mayor, George Christopher Cato. The area has…
The Final Prize: My Life in the anti-apartheid struggle by Norman Levy
My Life in the anti-apartheid struggle by Norman Levy Norman Levy entered liberation politics during the 1940s, finding his niche in the left wing of the…
EventFormer ANC President, Oliver ‘OR’ Tambo, is born
On 27 October 1917, Oliver Tambo, who would become African National Congress (ANC) President, was born at Bizana, Transkei (now known as Eastern Cape). During…
EventWestern countries, including South Africa, implement an airlift to supply provisions to the inhabitants of the eastern section of Berlin
On 28 June 1948, Soviet forces had cut off all land access to the British, American and French zones of Berlin, a city which was located deep within Soviet…
EventHugh Masekela, South African musician, is born
On 4 April 1939 Hugh Ramopolo Masekela, South African musician, was born in Witbank, South Africa. Masekela grew up playing the piano and at a young age was…
EventConnie Mulder announces banning off WCC officials from SA
The Minister of the Interior, Connie Mulder, announces that senior officials of the World Council of Churches (WCC) have been banned from South Africa. Entry…
EventLast remaining SA troops have been withdrawn from Namibia
The Citizen reported that the remaining 1 500 South African troops in South West Africa (Namibia) had been withdrawn during November. While the Namibian…
EventLaw and Order Minister, Adriaan Vlok implicates De Klerk at TRC
On 20 July 1998 former Law and Order Minister, Adriaan Vlok testifies under oath that while in office, the former president of South Africa, Mr F. W. de Klerk…
EventWits attains full university status
The University College in Johannesburg attained full University status under the name the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg. The origin of…
EventKing Leopold II of Belgium hands over the administration of the Congo to the Belgian parliament
From the beginning of colonialism in the 1880s following the 'scramble for Africa', the Congo had been regarded as Leopold II's personal fiefdom. Leopold's…
EventFormer SANNC President Sefako Mapogo Makgatho dies
Sefako Mapogo Makgatho was born at GaMphahlele, in the Pietersburg district in Transvaal (now Limpopo province) in 1861. He was the son of Chief Kgorutlhe…
EventJ.J. Hadebe replies to Thabo Mbeki’s plea
This Day in History, African National Congress (ANC) executive member in charge of youth affairs, J.J. Hadebe replied to Thabo Mbeki’s request to complete his…
EventDouglas Portway, European-based South African artist, is born in Johannesburg
Douglas Portway was born in Johannesburg in 1922. He studied fine art at the Witwatersran Technical College and later taught at the University of Johannesburg…
PlaceRuth Prowse School of Art
With the death of Ruth Prowse in 1967, her Mansion Property “the Retreat” located on Birkdale Avenue, 5 Elson Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, was bequeathed as an…
PlacePolokwane Art Museum
This museum was founded in 1970 by Jack Botes, a former Town Clerk. Today there are over 1000 works displayed in the indoor collections, and the outdoor…
EventGambia gains independence
On this day in history Gambia became the 36th African nation to gain independence. The Gambia (officially the Republic of The Gambia) commonly known as Gambia,…
EventThe Chinese Community in South Africa is granted ‘White’ status
On 19 August 1970, the Chinese community, officially classed non-White in the past though they were admitted to White theatres, restaurants and residential…
EventSA accepted back in international cricket
The International Cricket Council (ICC) agreed to grant full membership to the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), which would allow South African…
EventTrader and art collector Habib Rajab is born
Habib Mohamed (A.M.) Rajab was born in Durban. He was a trader and collector of oriental art, remembered for his role in preventing the Grey Street complex…
EventJoe Kachingwe is appointed Malawi’s first Ambassador to South Africa
Joe Kachingwe was appointed Malawi's first Ambassador to South Africa and assumes office in Pretoria on 29 July 1971. This diplomatic move by both countries…
ArchiveMafika Gwala Second Annual Lecture and Book Launch, 5 October 2016
The Mafika Pascal Gwala Annual lecture was initiated by South African History Online in 2015 and is run in partnership with both the University of Kwa Zulu…
EventGeneral Gamal Abdel Nasser is officially elected President of Egypt
On 23 June 1956 General Gamal Abdel Nasser was officially elected President of Egypt. He had been the effective leader of Egypt since 14 November 1954 as the…
EventEzrom Kgobokanyo Sebata Legae is born
Ezrom Kgobokanyo Sebata Legae, South African artist, was born in Vrededorp, Johannesburg. He studied at the Polly Street Art Center and Jubilee Art Centre…
EventThe Prince Imperial of France dies in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
The 22-year-old Prince Imperial of France, Eugene Louis Jean Joseph Napoleon, who studied in England at the Royal Military Academy and joined the British…
EventThe SA Cricket team is re-admitted to international cricket
On 10 November 1991, the South African cricket team, now better known as the Proteas, played their debut on their return to international cricket against India…
EventLeague of Nations is formed
The League of Nations was established after World War I, during the Treaty of Versailles. The intention of this organization was to reduce armament and to…
EventCape Colony Prime Minister opposes War
William Philip Screhreiner, prime minister in the Cape Colony at the start of Anglo-Boer War 2 (South African War), summarised the pssure his government has…
EventThe BSAC flag is hoisted in Bulawayo
The flag of the British South Africa Company (BSAC) or Chartered Company was hoisted in Bulawayo, the Matabele capital, after the Company's forces, led by…
EventUranium enrichment programme gets a boost from B.J. Vorster
South African Prime Minister, Balthazar Johannes Vorster disclosed in July 1970 in the House of Assembly that the government has decided to make funds…
ArticleCensus in South Africa
From 10 to 31 October 2011, South Africa will be conducting its third census since the advent of democracy in 1994. Undertaking a census is a massive exercise…