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ANC is founded
Members founded the organization as the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) on 8 January 1912 to increase the rights of the black South African population. The founding of the SANNC was in direct response to injustice against black South Africans at the hands of the government then in power. The organization became the ANC in 1923. -
Nelson Mandela is born
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on the 18th July 1918 and served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was a militant anti-apartheid activist, and the leader and co-founder of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). -
The Native Laws Administration Act is passed
According to the Native Administration Act, the Governor-General of South Africa could banish a native or tribe from one area to another whenever he deemed this expedient or in the general public interest. The central imperative behind the Act was to establish a strong enough system of national 'native administration' to contain the political pressures that were likely to result from the legislative measures necessary for the implementation of territorial segregation. -
The National Party wins the election and introduces Apartheid
The parliamentary election in South Africa on 26 May 1948 represented a turning point in the country's history, when the National Party came into power. Realizing that many White South Africans felt threatened by black political aspirations, pledged to implement a policy of strict racial segregation in all spheres of living if victorious. The Nationalists labelled this new system of government 'apartheid', the name by which it became universally - and infamously - known. -
The Defiance Campaign begins
The Defiance Campaign began on 26 June 1952, when the first volunteers including Nelson Mandela defied apartheid laws in all major cities. It was significiant as it was the first time Africans and Indians, with a few whites and coloureds were engaging in joint political action under a common leadership. -
The Sharpeville Massacre
After a day of protesting, at which a crowd of black protesters far outnumbered the police, the South African police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people. This day is now celebrated to commemorate the Sharpeville Massacre and to celebrate South Africa's democratic government enforcing equal human rights. -
The Spear of the Nation is founded
Umkhonto we Sizwe, (Spear of the Nation) was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), which fought against the South African apartheid government. It launched its first guerrilla attacks against government installations on 16 December 1961. It was subsequently classified as a terrorist organization by the South African government and the United States, and banned. -
Nelson Mandela's arrest
On 5 August 1962 Mandela was arrested after living on the run for seventeen months, and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. Three days later, the charges of leading workers to strike in 1961 and leaving the country illegally were read to him during a court appearance. On 25 October 1962, Mandela was sentenced to five years imprisonment. -
The Soweto Uprising
The Soweto Uprising was a series of high school student-led protests in South Africa that began on the morning of June 16, 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, and roughly 176 people were killed.The 16th of June is now a public holiday in South Africa, Youth Day. -
President Botha declares a state of emergency
By 1985, it had become the ANC's aim to make black townships "ungovernable" by means of rent boycotts and other militant action. On 20 July 1985, State President P.W. Botha declared a State of Emergency in 36 magisterial districts, which involves the South African Military in the containment of the protests. -
ANC ban is lifted and Mandela is freed from prison
Leading anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela was been freed from prison in South Africa after 27 years. His release followed the relaxation of apartheid laws - including lifting the ban on leading black rights party the African National Congress (ANC) - by South African President FW de Klerk. -
The first non-racial Election
The South African general election of 1994 was an election held in South Africa to mark the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela and the First Party won on the 27th of April, which has since been known in South Africa as Freedom Day. It was significant as it was the first non-racial election in South Africa. -
The Republic of South Africa is founded
As adopted on 8 May 1996 and amended on 11 October 1996 by the Constitutional Assembly. It was described as "One law for One nation". -
The Gleneagles Agreement is signed
This agreement was unanimously approved by the Commonwealth of Nations in 1997. It bannd South Africa from international sport and was a crucial element to the world's campagin against apartheid as it began the downfall of the nation's economy.
