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First Dutch Settlement established
The first Dutch settlement is established on the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company.In the coming decades, French Huguenots, the Dutch, and Germans establish settlements along the coast. Eventually, they go to war with indigenous peoples to establish their claims to the land. -
First Brittish occupation of the cape
History of Cape TownSeptember 15, The terms of surrender are agreed upon, and signed the following day by Clarke and Elphinstone at Rustenberg.
The first British occupation of the Cape is completed.
When the British took control of the Cape, the population count was: 16 000 – 20000 Whites, 17000 – 25 000 slaves and an estimated 14000 Khoikhoi, It was a heterogeneous community of differing characteristics, colours, standards of living, morals and habits. -
First Post office built
The first post office in the Cape Colony is established. Functioning as a Government department, it despatched letters overseas for private individuals at a charge of a shilling a sheet on correspondence, and four shillings a pound on books. The post office only catered for overseas mail. The was no internal postal service as yet. -
Return to Dutch rule in Cape of Good Hope
SA HistoryIn terms of the Treaty of Amiens, signed in 1802 (between England and France), the British officially returned the Cape Colony to the Netherlands on 21 February 1803. It was then renamed the Batavian Republic and the flag of the Batavian Republic was hoisted on the Castle. The Dutch only governed for three years (1803-1806), but their enlightened administration of the Cape was a great improvement upon the rule of the Dutch East India Company, which had lasted from 1652 to 1795. Commissioner-Gene -
The 2nd Brittish occupation of the Cape of Good Hope
The Administration of the Cape is given back to the Dutch. The old Dutch East India Company had now disappeared, and in its place was the Council for Asiatic Possessions and Establishments. A lawyer of repute, Jacob Abraham de Mist, drew up a plan of government for the Cape. This received approval by the Council and he was appointed Commissioner-General to superintend the transfer of the colony. Jan Willem Janssens was appointed governor and commander-in-chief. -
Holland cedes the Cape to Britain
The Cape Colony was formally ceded to Britain by a convention under which Dutch vessels were to remain entitled to resort freely to the Cape of Good Hope for the purposes of refreshment and repairs. Britain agreed on 13 August 1814 to pay five million sterling to the United Netherlands for the Dutch possession at the Cape. -
Slavery Abolition Act got Royal Assent
In 1833, the Slavery Abolition Act was given Royal Assent which paved the way for the abolition of slavery within the British Empire and its colonies. On 1 August 1834, all slaves in the British Empire were emancipated, but they were indentured to their former owners in an apprenticeship system which was abolished in two stages; the first set of apprenticeships came to an end on 1 August 1838, while the final apprenticeships were scheduled to cease on 1 August 1840, six years later. -
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The Great Trek
The Great Trek was an eastward and north-eastward migration during the 1830s and 1840s of the segment of Afrikaners known as Boers or Boere (Dutch/Afrikaners for "farmers"), who descended from settlers from western mainland Europe, most notably from the Netherlands. The majority of the Boer who took part in the Great Trek had left Europe because of religious discrimination. They generally did not find life under British authority in the Cape Province to be much better. So the great Trek was -
First Brittish settelers arrives in Natal
The first Brittish immigrants, consisting of 26 settlers, arrives in Natal. Which in 1849 starts the first cotton company. -
The Independent Boer Republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State are created
The independent Boer Republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State are created, straining relations with the ruling British. (1852-1854) -
First rail road built
The Natal Railway Company opens the first railway line in South Africa, the 3,2 km railway line ran from the township of Durban down to Cato Creek and then along the side of the harbour to the Point, Durban -
Discovery of diamonds
In 1866, Erasmus Jacobs found a small brilliant pebble on the banks of the Orange River, on the farm De Kalk leased from local Griquas, near Hopetown, which was his father's farm. He showed the pebble to his father who sold it.[2] The pebble was purchased from Jacobs by Schalk van Niekerk, who later sold it. It proved to be a 21.25 carat (4.25 g) diamond, and became known as the Eureka. Three years later Schalk van Niekerk sold another diamond also found in the De Kalk ( 29°3′S 23°58′E) vicinit -
The Anglo Boer War
The First Anglo-Boer War (1880–1881), was a rebellion of Boers (farmers) against British rule in the Transvaal that re-established their independence. The conflict occurred against the backdrop of the Pretoria government becoming increasingly ineffective at dealing with growing claims on South African land from rival interests within the country.
1.The war was between the Transvaal Boers and the British.
2.When the British annexed Transvaal in 1877 the Boers were angered.
3.In 1877, the Pedi att -
Gold discovered in Witwaters Rand
The first recorded discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand was made by Jan Gerrit Bantjes in June 1884, on the farm Vogelstruisfontein, and was followed soon thereafter, in September, by the Struben brothers who uncovered the Confidence Reef on the farm Wilgespruit, near present-day Roodepoort. However, these were minor reefs, and today it is the general consensus that credit for the discovery of the main gold reef must be attributed to George Harrison, whose findings on the farm Langlaagte were -
JSE stock exchange is established
The JSE is established as a stock exchange. -
First train enters Johannesburg
The first steam train enters the city of Johannesburg after the completion of the railroad from Durban. -
First steam train in Pretoria
After the extension of the railroad from Johannesburg to the neighbouring city, Pretoria, did the first stream train enter the neighbouring city. -
2nd Anglo Boer War starts
The Second Boer War (Dutch: Tweede Boerenoorlog, Afrikaans: Tweede Vryheidsoorlog or Tweede Boereoorlog) was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State. It ended with a British victory and the annexation of both republics by the British Empire; both would eventually be incorporated into the Union of South Africa, a do -
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The 2nd Anglo Boer War
The complex origins of the war resulted from more than a century of conflict between the Boers and the British Empire, but of particular immediate importance was the question as to which white nation would control and benefit most from the very lucrative Witwatersrand gold mines.[8] During the Napoleonic Wars, a British military expedition landed in the Cape Colony and defeated the defending Dutch forces at the Battle of Blaauwberg (1806).[9] After the war, the British formally acquired the colo -
The 2 republics and British colonies become the Union of South Africa.
The 2 republics and British colonies become the Union of South Africa, a self-governing dominion of the British Empire with Louis Botha as prime minister. -
South African Native National Congress is established.
Native blacks establish the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), which later becomes the African National Congress (ANC), to protest the creation of laws and practices based on color. -
Compulsory segregation is announced
The growth of the African population in the city also hardened racial attitudes as it became the focal point for city’s white residents. Africans were perceived as immoral, indecent, dangerous, criminals and a health hazard that threatened the well being of the city. These stereotypes were reinforced by general debates in scientific racism and a desire to push Africans out of the city to create space for the expansion of white suburbs. Consequently, one of the major reasons that intensified a ca -
White women get right to vote
The roots of White women's suffrage in South Africa began with the founding of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1899. The goal of this organisation was to campaign against the trade in alcohol, which they considered the greatest contributor to moral decay. This organisation was the first to campaign for White women's right to vote in South Africa. They set a Franchise Department six years after the founding of the organisation, because the members had concluded that without pol -
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South Africa is considered as an attractive destination for foreign investors
South Africa is considered as an attractive destination for foreign investors. In the initial post-war decades South Africa was considered as an attractive destination for foreign investors and a substantial inflow of capital from abroard made it possible for SA to run a persistent deficit on its current account. -
Appartheid started
With the enactment of apartheid laws in 1948, racial discrimination was institutionalized. Race laws touched every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between non-whites and whites, and the sanctioning of ``white-only'' jobs. In 1950, the Population Registration Act required that all South Africans be racially classified into one of three categories: white, black (African), or colored (of mixed decent). The coloured category included major subgroups of Indians and Asians. -
Republic Of South Africa is established
In 1961, South Africa became a republic after it withdrew from the British Commonwealth because of international protests against apartheid -
Imprisonment of Nelson Mandela
5th Aug, 1962 Nelson Mandela is imprisoned on charges of treason. Following protests in the town of Sharpeville that leave 69 black protestors dead and hundreds injured, the ANC and the Pan-African Congress (PAC) are banned and ANC leader Nelson Mandela is imprisoned in 1962 on charges of treason. From this time onward the ANC functions as an illegal but powerful opposition force for black rights in South Africa. (1960's) -
Establishment of The African Union
The African Union (AU, or, in its other official languages, UA) is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. The AU was established on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa and launched on 9 July 2002 in South Africa[7] to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states. The AU's secretariat -
First asian people receives role in national government
Revisions to the constitution give colored and Asian people a limited role in the national government, but power remains in white hands. -
President F.W. De Klerk announces the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the legalization of the ANC, PAC, and other anti-apartheid groups.
Following years of mounting black protest and increasing sanctions against South Africa because of apartheid, President F.W. De Klerk announces the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the legalization of the ANC, PAC, and other anti-apartheid groups. -
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South Africa GDP Growth Rate averaged 3.22
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 3 percent in the second quarter of 2013 over the previous quarter. GDP Growth Rate in South Africa is reported by the Statistics South Africa. South Africa GDP Growth Rate averaged 3.22 Percent from 1993 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 7.60 Percent in March of 1996 and a record low of -6.30 Percent in March of 2009. South Africa export-based economy is the largest and most developed in Africa. The -
First democratic elections
The South African general election of 1994 was an election held in South Africa to mark the end of apartheid, therefore also the first held with universal adult suffrage. The election was conducted under the direction of the Independent Electoral Commission (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. The African National Congress (ANC), whose slate incorporated the labour confederation COSATU and -
RDP housing policy established
In 1994 the African National Congress adopted the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), an integrated socio-economic policy framework which is now the policy if the government. The RDP set a goal of 300,000 houses to be built a year with a minimum of one million low-cost houses to be constructed within five years. South Africa’s current housing policy is rooted in the Housing White Paper, published by government in December 1994. -
First black president elected
One of the most significant things to have happened on the 10th of May in African history was the inauguration in 1994 of Nelson Mandela as president of South Africa, following the first-ever democratic elections -
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Poverty concerns
Started to decrease poverty concerns. Since 1995, more than a million low-cost houses have been built, and the poor now have access to free medicine and more than 700 additional healthcare clinics. More than 5 million needy children now get a fifth to a quarter of their daily nutritional needs through school-based programs. More than 2 million people have received access to electricity and 7 million to water. Relatively low inflation, around 6 percent, means that -
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Employment Increase
Although higher employment growth has accompanied the increase in
economic growth since 1994, it has not kept pace with increases in the labor
force. During 1995–2003, employment increased by around 1.25 percent
annually, while the labor force grew by 4 percent annually. -
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Literacy Increase from 81.85 to 86.4%
This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of -
National Party pulls out of the GNU
27th Apr, 1996 National Party pulls out of the Government of National Unity (GNU). National Party pulls out of the Government of National Unity (GNU). First official census occurs in post-apartheid South Africa. -
Thabo Mbeki elected as president
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served nine years as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. On 20 September 2008, with about nine months left in his second term, Mbeki announced his resignation. -
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GDP - per capita (PPP) (US$) increase from 6,900 to 11,100
Indexes This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. -
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Infant mortality rate drops from 58.88 to 42.67
The number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is the total death rate, and deaths by sex, male and female. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. -
Population below poverty line (%)
National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations. -
Millennium Africa Recovery Plan unveiled
The first is the Millennium Africa Recovery Plan (MAP), led by South African President Thabo Mbeki and unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2001 -
Establishment of NEPAD
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is an economic development program of the African Union. NEPAD was adopted at the 37th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia. NEPAD aims to provide an overarching vision and policy framework for accelerating economic co-operation and integration among African countries. -
Organisation of African Unity changes from political liberation to economic development
The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, with 32 signatory governments.[1] It was disbanded on 9 July 2002 by its last chairperson, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and replaced by the African Union (AU). -
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South Africa grew at an average of 4.5 percent year-on-year
South Africa grew at an average of 4.5 percent year-on-year, From 2002 to 2008, South Africa grew at an average of 4.5 percent year-on-year, its fastest expansion since the establishment of democracy in 1994. However, in recent years, successive governments have failed to address structural problems such as the widening gap between rich and poor, low-skilled labour force, high unemployment rate, deteriorating infrastructure, high corruption and crime rates. As a -
South Africa chosen to host 2010 Soccer World Cup
Fifa president Sepp Blatter at the 15 May 2004 announcement in Switzerland that South Africa had been chosen to host the 2010 World Cup -
Stadiums for 2010 Soccer World Cup announced
The 10 official staiums of the 2010 Soccer World cup have been anounced. With 5 new stadiums being build and 5 staiums being upgraded. -
High inflation rate of 11.1%
This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices. The highest rate of inflation between 1999 (5.5%) and 2011(5%) -
Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project begins
The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project Gauteng, the economic heartland of South Africa, generates nearly 38 % of the total value of South Africa’s economic activities. As a result, development in housing, offices, retail and industrial properties has grown significantly over the past 10 years, resulting in above average traffic growth. Unfortunately, provision of road infrastructure has not kept up with the increased traffic demand, resulting in a road and freeway network that is over capacit -
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma elected as president
An indirect presidential election was held in South Africa on 6 May 2009 following the general election on 22 April 2009. Jacob Zuma of the ruling African National Congress won the election with 277 votes (13 more than the number of seats held by the ANC), while Mvume Dandala of the Congress of the People got 47 votes. The 67 members of the official opposition Democratic Alliance abstained from voting.[1] -
The New Growth Path Framework
Government adopted the New Growth Path (NGP) as the framework for economic policy and the driver of the country’s jobs strategy -
Basic Education Accord
The purpose of the communication is to empower South Africans to
implement the wide-ranging commitments that are contained in the
Accord and mobilise the private sector, organised labour, communities
and government in a strong partnership to strengthen basic education in
the country as a platform for creating five million new jobs by 2020. -
Gautrain completed
Gautrain is an 80-kilometre (50 mi) mass rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province, South Africa, which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo International Airport. It was built to relieve the traffic congestion in the Johannesburg–Pretoria traffic corridor and offer commuters a viable alternative to road transport, as Johannesburg has limited public transport infrastructure. The project was completed with the opening on 7 June 2012 of the final section between Rosebank and Johannesb -
2012 NDP revealed
The South African Government adopted a National Infrastructure Plan in 2012 that intends to transform our economic landscape while simultaneously creating significant numbers of new jobs, and to strengthen the delivery of basic services. The plan also supports the integration of African economies. -
Droughts cripple Limpopo farmers
The worst drought since 1983 has struck north-eastern Limpopo, killing more than 2 000 cattle and threatening to push the price of red meat to unprecedented levels. Now the future of subsistence farmers is at risk, while thousands of impoverished villagers have been left without drinking water.
The Emergent Red Meat Producers Association of Limpopo says it expects the loss of cattle in the far north to drive emerging red meat producers out of the market and push up the price of red meat. -
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CPI increase of 1.1%
On average, prices increased by 1,1% between
June 2013 and July 2013. -
HDI increases to 0.68
The Human Development Index - going beyond income Each year since 1990 the Human Development Report has published the Human Development Index (HDI) which was introduced as an alternative to conventional measures of national development, such as level of income and the rate of economic growth. The HDI represents a push for a broader definition of well-being and provides a composite measure of three basic dimensions of human development: health, education and income. Between 1980 and 2012 South A -
First Gas Engine Powerplant in South Africa
The largest power plant running exclusively on gas engines on the African continent, and the first of its kind in South Africa, was inaugurated at the Sasolburg, Free State site of petrochemicals company Sasol earlier this month. The electricity produced by the 140 MW plant will be used by Sasol's chemicals factory next to the plant, with about half of the production being fed into South Africa's national grid. "This plant is a significant milestone for Sasol, as we begin to ease our load on -
Ntsakisi Maswanganyi profile South Africa slumps into the bottom 10 on Africa growth chart
SOUTH Africa’s tepid growth rate places it among Africa’s 10 slowest-growing economies this year, in the company of laggards such as Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Madagascar, a key report shows. The African Development Bank, which released its African Economic Outlook 2013 on Wednesday, said growth in South Africa would remain below 3% this year, pointing to structural problems in the economy. The findings back government and private sector calls for the urgent implementation of a growth and de -
Financial Crisis
The global financial crisis reduced commodity prices and world demand
