-
Union of South Africa
the Union of South Africa was formed under British dominion, exactly eight years after the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging (which had brought the Second Anglo-Boer War to an end). Find out why this paved the way for Apartheid. -
Adoption of the Freedom Character by the Congress of the People
The Freedom Charter was endorsed by the ANC at a special conference, which was also held to discuss the introduction of passes to women. The endorsement of the Freedom Charter by the ANC reflected the changing character of the movement’s leadership. -
Women's March against the Past Laws
the Orange Free State introduced a new requirement that women, in addition to existing regulations for black men, must carry reference documents. The resulting protest, by a multi-racial group of women, many of whom were professionals took the form of passive resistance - a refusal to carry the new passes. Many of these women were supporters of the recently formed South African Native National Congress -
The Sharpville Massacre
After a day of demonstrations, at which a crowd of black protesters far outnumbered the police, the South African police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people. Sources disagree as to the behaviour of the crowd; some state that the crowd were peaceful, While others state that the crowd had been hurling stones at the police, and that the shooting started when the crowd started advancing toward the fence around the police station. In present-day South Africa, 21 March is celebrated as a -
The Durban Strike
The Durban Strikes were a turning point in the confrontation between the country's minority rulers and the worker majority. Motivated by material need and underpinned by principles of democracy and equality, the strikes conjoined academics, workers and political leaders among others, in a struggle that was to redefine the South African political landscape in the years to follow. Lasted till March that year -
The Student uprising in Soweto
Series of protests led by high school students in South Africa that began on the morning of 16 June 1976. Students from numerous Sowetan schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools.An estimated 20,000 students took part in the protests. The number of people who died is usually given as 176, with estimates of up to 700. June 16 is now a public holiday, Youth Day, in South Africa, -
Killing of Steve Biko By South African Police
A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the anti-apartheid movement. While living, his writings and activism attempted to empower black people, and he was famous for his slogan "black is beautiful", which he described as meaning: "man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being". -
Release of Nelson Mandela from prison
South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically a democratic socialist, he served as the President of the African Nation. -
The first democratic election
to mark the end of apartheid, therefore also the first held with universal adult suffrage. The election was conducted under the direction of the IEC. Millions queued in lines over a three-day voting period. Altogether 19,726,579 votes were counted and 193,081 were rejected as invalid. ANC whose slate incorporated the labour confederation COSATU and the South African Communist Party, fell short of a two-thirds majority. April 27, now Freedom Day. -
Presentatiob of the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commison ti Presidentt Mandela
after the abolition of apartheid. Witnesses who were identified as victims of gross human rights violations were invited to give statements about their experiences, and some were selected for public hearings. Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from both civil and criminal prosecution.The TRC, the first of the nineteen held internationally to stage public hearings, was seen by many as a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy. Succesful.
