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Dec 12, 1497
Landing on Natal coast
Vasco da Gama, Portuguese explorer lands on the Natal Coast. -
Period: Dec 12, 1497 to
Apartheid
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First Colony
Jan van Riebeeck founds Cape Colony at Table Bay. -
British Seizure of Cape Colony
British forces seize Cape Colony from the Netherlands. -
Discovery of Diamonds
Diamonds discovered in Kimberley. -
First Anglo-Boer war
Boers rebel against the British, ending with a negotiated peace treaty. -
Gold Discovery
Triggers gold rush in Transvaal. -
British Troop Gathering
Several British soldiers gather around the Transvaal, starting the second Anglo-Boer war. -
Treaty of Vereeniging
Ends the Second Boer War, making Transvaal and Orange Free State self governing colonies. -
Formation of Union of South Africa
Union of South Africa is formed with former British colonies Cape, Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal. -
Land Act
This act prevented blacks from buying land outside of reserves. -
National Party
National Party of South Africa is formed. -
National Party takes power
Policy of Apartheid begins. -
Group Areas Act
This act prevented whites and blacks from living in the same areas. Communist Party is also banned. ANC responds by causing civil disobedience, led by Nelson Mandela. -
Public Demonstrators killed
Seventy black demonstrators are killed near Sharpville. ANC is banned. -
Nelson Mandela's life imprisonment
ANC leader Nelson Mandela is imprisoned for life. -
Revolt in Soweto
600+ Killed in clashes between security and black protestors. -
New President
FW de Klerk replaces PW Botha as president of South Africa. He visits Nelson Mandela. Public areas are desegregated. -
Nelson Mandela is freed
Nelson Mandela is freed from life imprisonment after 27 years and the ANC is unbanned. -
Apartheid laws are repealed
Start of multiparty talks. De Klerk repeals Apartheid laws.
