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Adoption of Freedom Charter
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 pass law
This was the famous Women's march celebrated as Women's Day on 9 August each year. The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW). The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'. -
The Sharpeville Massacre
The Sharpeville massacre occurred on 21 March 1960, at the police station in the South African township of Sharpeville in the Transvaal. 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.
In present-day South Africa, 21 March is celebrated as a public holiday in honour of human rights and to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre. -
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The Durban strike
The wave of strikes that hit Durban, and the rate at which they spread revealed a new force which many employers had not been prepared. Wide media coverage of the striking workers caused an outcry from various quarters including the White public, and government at the shockingly low wages being paid to workers. The police gesture surprised many people as they kept a low profile. These strikes spread to Pietermaritzburg, Richard’s Bay, Johannesburg and other cities during the year. -
The student uprising in Soweto
The Soweto Uprising, also known as June 16, is a 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. -
Killing of Steven Biko
Biko's death in detention illustrates the brutality of the security police during apartheid and the state's hand in covering up torture and abuse of political detainees. Biko's case also demonstrates the collaboration of non-governmental institutions with apartheid and, furthermore, that not all South Africans accepted or were satisfied with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process. -
Bombing of ANC headquarters, London
On 12 March 1982 the ANC offices in London were bombed. The head of the South African Security Branch, General Johan Coetzee, had planned the operation under instruction of the Minister of Law and Order, Louis le Grange. The bombing coincided with an anti-Apartheid rally being held in central London and led by ANC president, Oliver Tambo. -
Release of Nelson Mandela from Prison
Mandela was arrested for illegally leaving south africa. He was the only politican to serve serval decades in prison and came out stronger than ever. -
first democratic election
The South African general election of 1994 was an election held in South Africa to mark the end of apartheid, -
