A CHRONOLOGY OF KEY EVENTS

4th century Bantu speaking groups settle, joining the indigenous San and Khoikhoi people. 1480s Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias is the first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa. 1497 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama lands on Natal coast. 1652 Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Company, founds the at Table Bay. 1795 British forces seize Cape Colony from the Netherlands. Territory is returned to the Dutch in 1803; ceded to the British in 1806. 1816-1826 Shaka Zulu founds and expands the Zulu empire, creates a formidable fighting force. 1835-1840 Boers leave Cape Colony in the '' and found the and the . 1852 British grant limited self-government to the Transvaal. 1856 Natal separates from the Cape Colony. Late 1850s Boers proclaim the Transvaal a republic. 1867 Diamonds discovered at Kimberley. 1877 Britain annexes the Transvaal. 1878 - 79 British lose to and then defeat the Zulus 1880-81 Boers rebel against the British, sparking the first Anglo-Boer War. Conflict ends with a negotiated peace. Transvaal is restored as a republic. Mid 1880s Gold is discovered in the Transvaal, triggering the gold rush. 1890 Cecil John Rhodes elected as Prime Minister of the Cape 1893 - 1915 Mahatma Gandhi visits 1899 - 1902 South African (Boer) War British troops gather on the Transvaal border and ignore an ultimatum to disperse. The second Anglo-Boer War begins. 1902 Treaty of Vereeniging ends the second Anglo-Boer War. The Transvaal and Orange Free State are made self-governing colonies of the British Empire. 1909 South Africa Act 1910 Formation of by former British colonies of the Cape and Natal, and the of

Transvaal, and Orange Free State. 1911 Mines and Works Act 1912 After the Anglo-Boer, the South African Act of Union is passed in 1910. The Act denies political rights to the black population, other than those rights already granted to a small number of blacks in the former Cape Colony. A welter of legislative measures are promulgated, designed to control freedom of movement (), and to force black people to work as labourers (poll taxes) in the white-owned economy, particularly in the burgeoning gold and diamond mines. In response African intellectual leaders come together on January 8 in Bloemfontein and elect John Langalibalele Dube President of the South African Native National Congress. The two men most involved in bringing this to fruition, Solomon Plaatje and Pixley ka Isaka Seme are elected Secretary-General and Treasurer-General respectively. (The organisation changed its name in 1923 to the African National Congress.) 1913 The Native Land Act is passed under which the white population of one and half million is allotted 87% of the land of South Africa while the remaining 13% is put in trust for the use of the black population of five and half million in the designated 'Reserves'. Land Act introduced to prevent blacks, except those living in Cape Province, from buying land outside reserves. 1914 Delegation from the South African Native National Congress (forerunner of the ANC) that went to in 1914 to convey the objections of the African people to the 1913 Land Act. Back Row (L-R) - Walter Rubusana; Saul Nsane Front Row - Thomas Mapikela; John Dube; Sol T Plaatje In July moves to extend the pass laws to include women are met with determined resistance. Six hundred women march to the municipal offices in Bloemfontein and deposit a bag containing their passes. They politely inform the Deputy Mayor that they will no longer buy or carry passes. In Winburg, Charlotte Maxeke, one of the organisers and spokeswomen of the anti-pass campaign, is arrested with 800 women on a march to the town hall, singing hymns. They refuse to pay their fines and say they will never carry

a pass..

1914 National Party founded. 1914 - 18 World War I 1915 Foundation of the International Socialist League (ISL), a breakaway section of the Labour Party. They are anti-war and campaigners for equal rights for all irrespective of colour or class. December 21 Strike of 2800 black miners at Van Rhyn Deep mines. 1916 The Beaumont Commission tours The Union of South Africa, trying to find areas that could be incorporated into the reserves, without disturbing white farming. At a meeting in Pietersburg, the ANC describes the report of the Beaumont commission as unsatisfactory. Native Life in South Africa by Solomon Plaatje is published A devastating critique of the Land Act, it remains a rare classic used by scholars, researchers, students. He wrote "Awakening on Friday morning, June 20, 1913, the South African native found himself.a pariah in the land of his birth." Fort Hare University founded as South African Native College. 1917 Native Administration Act First industrial African trade union is formed - the Industrial Workers of Africa (IWA), by the International Socialist League in . Sefako Mapogo Makgahto elected ANC President 1917-1924. 1918 Secret Broederbond (brotherhood) established to advance the Afrikaner cause. Women's struggle against the extension of the pass laws succeeds, and the State ceased temporarily in its efforts to force passes on women. Charlotte Maxeke a prominent leader of the campaigns founded the Bantu Women's League and was elected president. The Bucket Strike: Sanitary workers in Johannesburg demand a six pence rise. 152 strikers are sentenced to two months hard labour under the Masters and Servants Act. The ANC launches a successful campaign for their release and an increase of one shilling a day. 1919 South West Africa (Namibia) comes under South African administration. 70,000 African miners strike. The well-organised and disciplined strike alarms the government. Troops with bayonets break through barricades killing three and wounding 40 strikers. Police and armed whites attack a solidarity meeting, killing 8 and wounding 80. In January the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) is formed in soon to take off across the country and to become the largest black union ever

existing in South Africa, known as 'ICU White Man!' (Meli, 1988 p 63) ANC delegation visits Britain to protest the Land Act for the second time. 1921 The Bulhoek Massacre occurs near Queenstown. 163 members of the Israelite sect are killed by a 719 man police-force, armed with a machine gun and artillery, led by Police Commissioner Truter. A further 129 are wounded and 113 are taken prisoner. One policeman is wounded in the stomach and a police horse is killed. The sect was forced to leave the land they regarded as that of their prophet Enoch Mgijima. The Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) is formed on 30 July. 1922 White miners strike to prevent Chamber of Mines opening semiskilled and skilled jobs to African miners. The white mineworkers shut down the mines for two months and the strike is only ended by full-scale military action ordered by Prime Minister J.C. Smuts. Though the strike is beaten, white workers win their demand for a white labour policy. 1923 Natives (Urban Areas) Act SANNC changes its name to African National Congress SANNC becomes the African National Congress with Revd. Zaccheus Mahabane as President 1924-1927 and again 1937-1940. 1926 Mines and Works Amendment Act Balfour Declaration 1927 Native Administration Act ANC President J. T. Gumede goes to the Anti-Imperialist Conference in Brussels with J. A. La Guma and D. Coltraine. In Brussels they meet humanists and freedom fighters from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the West. Gumede takes the opportunity of visiting the Soviet Union where he is impressed with the peasants of Georgia. He returns to South Africa more sympathetic to the ideas of saying: "I have been to the new Jerusalem" His discussions in the Soviet Union were instrumental in the formulation of the 'Black Republic' resolution which split the CPSA. 1930 Sol Plaatje's Mhudi published, 1st known novel written by a black South African. Women's Enfranchisement Bill The ANC works closely with the CPSA against Minister of Justice Pirow (a self-proclaimed Nazi) who wants to amend the Riotous Assemblies Act to give him the power to banish militants without trial.

The ANC and CPSA also prepare for a conference to fight the Hertzog Bills which sought to remove Africans from the Cape voter's roll. At the same time they begin to organise a mass anti-pass campaign. In the young communist Johannes Nkosi leads a successful pass burning. He is brutally killed by the police there. 1931 Franchise Laws Amendment Act 1935 National Liberation League for Equality, Land and Freedom launched. Zaibunisa Cissy Gool is President and Jimmy La Guma General Secretary. (Ms Gool was later a member of the Cape Town City Council). The League wants unity in the face of white minority power. 1936 Native Trust and Land Act; Native Representation Act AAC (All-African National Convention) meeting of 400 delegates in Bloemfontein to oppose the Hertzog Bills to remove qualified Africans from the voter's roll. Despite widespread opposition the Act is passed. Hertzog Bills proposed but not passed as law aimed at limiting black South African rights even further; the proposal was for a return of some land to black South Africans in return for exclusion from the franchise. 1937 Z.R. Mahabane 2nd term ANC President 1937-1940 Native Laws Amendment Act Launch of the Cape Guardian ANC Conference in Bloemfontein, issues statement demanding full democratic and citizenship rights before advising Africans to participate in newspaper, supporter of ANC and CPSA. 1939 Council for Non-European Trade Unions founded with Gana Makabeni as President and D. Gosani Secretary. Dr. Alfred B. Xuma is elected President of the ANC and Constitution is written. Dr. Xuma issues policy statement in Inkululeko calling for unity of the African people. Closer cooperation forged between the ANC and the CPSA. 1939 - 45 World War II 1941 Atlantic Charter 1943 New ANC constitution African Claims published by ANC The ANC Women's League (WL) is formed. Charlotte Maxeke is elected President, Ida Mntwana and Mrs Xuma officers. Their work centres on the anti-pass campaigns. "Women will never accept the pass." The WL is not autonomous, but subject to the

decisions of the ANC. 1944 The ANC Youth League is formed, headed by Anton Lembede, , O. R. Tambo, Walter Sisulu, A. P. Mda inter alia. Many of the leaders are Fort Hare students. They issue a Programme of Action which includes the right to self-determination. 1945 At ANC National Conference in December, African Claims in South Africa is presented, demanding equal rights for black soldiers returned from the war and war pensions for widows. These demands are refused. Anti-pass campaign is re-launched. 1946 In June the Indian Passive Resistance Campaign fully supported by the ANC is led by Y. M. Dadoo and Dr. G. M. Naicker against the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act (known as the Ghetto Act) of the Smuts Government. In August 100,000 African mineworkers go on strike on the Rand goldfields. Police sanctioned by the Smuts government open fire and charge with drawn bayonets. Hundreds of workers are killed and injured. Moses Kotane, J. B. Marks, , Brian Bunting, Bram Fischer and 46 others are accused of conspiracy to cause the strike. Asiatic Land Tenure Act Indian Representation Act 1947 forged in March. Pact signed by Xuma, Naicker and Dadoo for ANC, Natal and Transvaal Indian Congresses. 1948 Dr. D. F. Malan and National Party win over Prime Minister . is institutionalised with a spate of discriminatory laws. Fagan Commission report. 1949 Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act Indian vs. African riots in Durban. ANC Conference adopts Youth League inspired Programme of Action. ANC President Dr. Moroko (1949-1952) and Secretary Walter Sisulu elected to implement plan. 1950 At Witzieshoek peasants rebel against enforced cattle culling and the starvation caused by land shortage. Police kill protesters. Immorality Act. Population Registration Act, Group Areas Act Suppression of Communism Act, CPSA disbanded ANC responds with campaign of civil disobedience, led by Nelson Mandela. May Day call by ANC for general stay-at-home demanding Votes for All and end to discrimination. Strike

successful in Johannesburg but in evening police come shooting. 18 dead, 30 wounded. June 26 declared a national day of mourning by the ANC for those killed on May Day. Observed annually as Freedom Day. Unlawful Organisations Bill to ban CP and Suppression of Communism Act passed to allow Minister of Justice powers to restrict persons, organisations, newspapers etc. CP dissolved before Act is passed. 1951 Bantu Authorities Act Legislation passed to change Constitution and remove Coloured people of the Cape from the voters' roll. Large scale protest meetings held. formed - a group of white women against Constitution change stand outside parliament wearing black sashes. 1952 June 26 ANC, Indian Congress and supporters launch nationwide Defiance of Unjust Laws Campaign in which volunteers seek arrest for breaking "Europeans Only" type restrictions. 1952 In July Walter Sisulu, Duma Nokwe among others visit , USSR and China without passports In September SACPO (S.A. Coloured Peoples Organisation) later Coloured Peoples' Congress formed. James La Guma elected President. In October the Congress of Democrats, white members of the Congress movement formed. The December Conference of the ANC decides to organise a Congress of the People. A call will go out to everyone to send in demands for a better life to be embodied in the . At the conference, Chief A. J. Luthuli is elected President-General of the ANC with Nelson Mandela as Deputy President. 1953 Criminal Law Amendment Act Reservation of Separate Amenities Act Bantu Education Act 1954 Native Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Act which is designed to break the black trade union movement is passed. 38 striking Durban workers are charged. Natives Resettlement Act. South African Communist Party (SACP) formed secretly. Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) formed on 17 April. Ida Mntwana is President and Ray Alexander elected National Secretary T.ater TJlian NPOVI became President.

1955 60,000 People in Johannesburg Western Areas, including Sophiatown, removed at gun-point from their homes under Group Areas Act. Area declared "white" and renamed "Triomf" SACTU (South African Congress of Trade Unions) formed on 5 March - first non-racial trade union organisation. April - ANC launches boycott of Bantu Education in attempt to organise alternative education system. June 26 - Congress of the People. At Kliptown Johannesburg 3000 delegates from all corners of the country gather beneath four-spoked wheel - symbol of the Congress Movement. Each section of the Freedom Charter discussed. Armed police arrive. Interrogate and search delegates while Congress carries on. 1956 Industrial Conciliation Act; Separate Representation of Colored Voters Act Treason Trial begins August 9: 20,000 women march to protesting against the pass laws. Lay thousands of petitions at door of Prime Minister Strydom chanting 'Wathint'abafazi, wathint' imbokodo, Uzakufa'. You have struck a rock, dislodged a boulder you will be crushed.' Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophie Williams and Rahima Moosa led the march symbolising the unity of South African women. December 5 - 156 arrests for High Treason. Congress members from around South Africa taken to the Fort Prison in Johannesburg. The trial lasts 4 years when all are acquitted. 'The South African Treason Trial' written while still on trial, by Lionel Forman, with Solly Sachs in . Published in 1957 in England with reviews world-wide. Treason Trial Defence Fund inaugurated, later to become International Defence and Aid Fund 1957 Alexandra Township Bus Boycott as result of increase in bus fares. Thousands of residents walk 20km to work and back. Pound-a-Day national minimum wage campaign launched as result of Alexandra boycott. Women's anti-pass demonstrations all year throughout the country. Mass anti-pass demonstration in Johannesburg, The women in Zeerust are particularly militant and burn their passes as a result of the deposing of their chief Mailoa who supports them. Widespread unrest results. People shot, beaten and their homes burned to the ground by police. Women protest against beerhall system. Law prevents home brewing but allow municipal beerhalls which provide the major source of revenue for township administration. 1958 ANC leaders break with Africanists

Hendrik Verwoerd becomes Prime Minister May A revolt against in Sekhukhuniland leads to the execution of 16 peasants and brutal state repression in Pondoland, Tembuland, and Zululand. The Farm Labour Scandal receives wide publicity after first appearing in New Age. Ruth First and Joe Gqabi conduct undercover investigation into kidnapping and enslaving of workers on farms. Leads to successful potato boycott nation-wide A fire bomb in the New Age newspaper office destroyed filing cabinets with records of many years information All-Africa Peoples' Conference calls for ban on S. A. goods 1959 Africanists, led by Robert Sobukwe, form the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) 1960 January A calamity in the mines occurs when 440 miners are entombed at Clydesdale colliery, Coalbrook as the mine collapses over them and they cannot escape. February The people of Pondoland rise up against the imposition of Bantustans. March 21 The PAC (Pan-African Congress) newly formed in 1959 by a break-away group led by Robert Sobukwe, holds anti-pass demonstration in Sharpeville, near Vereeniging. The police open fire and shoot people fleeing. 69 are killed and hundreds injured. The news is spread world-wide. The ANC calls for a nation-wide stay-at-home. Six policemen murdered in Durban anti-pass demonstration March 30 A State of Emergency is declared over 2000 people are arrested. Under the Unlawful Organisations Act the ANC and PAC are banned July 14 the SACP announces it is functioning underground (having dissolved itself in 1950) Bantu Self Government Act 1961 South African becomes a republic 1961 - International pressure against government begins, South Africa excluded from Olympic Games. March The Treason Trial ends with the acquittal of all accused. Helen Joseph writes If this be Treason, (sequel to The South African Treason Trial), published in England. May 31 South Africa declared a republic, leaves the Commonwealth. Mandela heads ANC's new military wing, which launches sabotage campaign. Nation-wide strike called against establishment of Republic of South Africa. June 26 Mandela states he will remain underground to lead the struggle.

December 11 Chief Albert Luthuli, ANC President is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize December 16 a State holiday to mark Dingaan's Day is chosen for formation of (MK) the armed wing of the ANC. Dingaan was the Zulu King who in 1838, was defeated by a Boer force at the battle on the Ngome River (known after the battle to S.A. whites as 'Blood River'). 1962 Mandela leaves S.A. secretly to attend Pan African Freedom Movement meeting in . He receives military training and returns to clandestine work in South Africa. Congress of Democrats banned under Suppression of Communism Act. 1963 January Many people banned. The State kept a list of known members of the CPSA and all those listed were banned. July Leadership of the ANC found meeting in a farm in Rivonia and tried in the '' 'Looksmart' Ngudle and Suliman 'Babla' Saloojee are tortured and killed in detention. Said to have 'fallen' from the 10th floor window of security building in Johannesburg Organization of African Unity (OAU) formed. 1964 1964 - 92 South Africa excluded from the Olympics due to racial discrimination Friday 12 June N Mandela, G. Mbeki, Sisulu, Mhlaba, Mlangeni, Motsoaledi, Kathrada and Goldberg are sentenced to life imprisonment. All (except Goldberg) sent to where they remained for 26 years. September : Bram Fischer arrested and charged under Suppression of Communism Act. November 6 three SACTU leaders, Vuyisile Mini, Wilson Khayingo and Zinakile Mkhaba sentenced to death and executed based on the false evidence of Kholisile Mdwayi. John Harris sentenced to death, November, for bomb on Johannesburg station on 24 July, which killed a white woman 1966 Botswana becomes independent republic Bram Fischer sentenced to life imprisonment District Six is declared a 'white' group area. Forced removal begins for 55,000 residents September Prime Minister Verwoerd assassinated in Parliament by Dimitri Tsafendas. B. J. Vorster succeeds as Prime Minister 1967 Terrorism Act Basil D'Oliviera, a black cricketer from Cape Town, now a cricket star in England is chosen to play for England by the MCC. July 21 Chief Albert Lutuli killed by a train near his home in "highly suspicious circumstances" Oliver Tambo

becomes ANC president 1968 South African cricket in crisis after Prime Minister Vorster refuses to allow D'Oliviera into South Africa to play. MCC cancel tour Beach apartheid promulgated throughout the Cape. Notices erected on all beaches on coastline 1969 April 25 Landmark ANC Conference held in Morogoro Tanzania. ANC opened to non-African membership. July South African Students Organization (SASO) under Steve Biko Anti-apartheid demonstrations across UK rock rugby tour of Springboks 1970 More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands'. October Ahmed Timol dies in detention. The police say he "fell out of the 10th floor window". Before Timol some 22 people had met their death in detention for reasons including "suicide by hanging" 1971 Bantu Homelands Act 1972 First Black People's Convention (BPC) national congress 1973 Bantu Laws Amendment Act Women textile workers in Howick, Natal lead a successful strike which is followed by other strikes in the area. Negotiations follow (but no women are included at the negotiation table) Strikes in all major centres. Springs, African miners' wages below poverty datum line. Durban 30,000 workers in 30 firms on strike. Johannesburg 27- day-go-slow of bus workers. Eleven workers shot at Carletonville gold mine. 'Explosion of unrest' in East London. Athol Fugard play Sizwe Banzi is Dead is banned before it is about to begin for Coloured audience. Apartheid regulations prevent Africans from performing for such an audience without a permit. 1974 City Councils of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg pledge to remove petty apartheid as far as law allows. Cape Town electricity department took down apartheid signs, Johannesburg to examine bylaws which 'offend dignity of individuals'. Nico Malan Theatre opened to all races, a few hotels opened a few doors. Discrimination remains. December United Nations Security Council demand that South Africa give up administration of South West Africa (Namibia) UN General Assembly voted to suspend S. A., but this action was not confirmed by the Security Council 1975 Chief Gatsha Buthelezi of KwaZulu revives Inkatha

May 8 Bram Fischer dies. He was released from prison a few days previously. The prison refuse to allow the family to have his ashes. June 25 gains independence from after a long, bitter war and 500 years of Portuguese rule. November 11 Angolan independence from Portugal at the same time that South African army invade the country. 1976 June 16 Soweto school students' massacre. The pupils of all the schools in Soweto demonstrate peacefully against the use of Afrikaans as the means of instruction and are shot down by police in caspirs and tanks. Over 1,000 children are killed, many more injured and in a few weeks there are 10,000 children imprisoned. Resistance spreads to schools and colleges throughout the country. It is a turning point in the struggle against apartheid. Photograph of Hector Peterson fatally wounded, being carried away by Mbuyisa Makhubu and Hector's sister is published in The World and publicised world-wide, becomes an icon of the slaughter of children in Soweto on June 16, 1976 September 12 Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko killed in detention. His mutilated body defies police reports that he hit his head accidentally. News of his brutal death is broadcast worldwide October 17 organisations banned including newspapers in widespread repression drive in reaction to . given 'independence'. Kaiser Matanzima is first President. 1977 15000 attend burial of Steve Biko in King William's Town where Bishop Tutu conducts the Requiem Mass. The Minister of Justice states that the inquest into Biko's death will be the only judicial enquiry. An outcry both within and outside the country ensues. Throughout the Eastern Cape and around East London shacks are burnt and fleeing squatters arrested. EC Administration Board Director Swanepoel says raids will continue until East London is 'entirely cleared out.' Percy Qoboza, editor of The World is detained and both The World and Weekend World are banned. 18 organisations are declared unlawful, seven prominent anti-apartheid campaigners are banned and about 70 people are detained in pre-dawn raids. declared 'independent' and Chief Lucas Mangope joins Matanzima as a Bantustan President.

1978 Azanian Peoples' Organization (Azapo) 1979 April 6 Solomon Mahlangu hanged in Pretoria despite an international campaign for clemency. The Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College, (SOMAFCO) an ANC school in Tanzania is named after him. (The records of the school form part of the official archives of the ANC. When the school closed in 1992, these were transported directly to the University of Fort Hare.) 1979 Centenary of Battle of Isandlwana on January 22, 1879. Marked as Year of the Spear. May 1 Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe-Rhodesia as white minority rule ends and caretaker government installed under Bishop Muzorewa 1980 January the Silverton Siege. ANC soldiers take refuge in a bank in Silverton, Pretoria, take hostages and demand release of Mandela. Police storm bank killing some hostages and three MK soldiers March The Sunday Post launches campaign for release of Mandela and all political prisoners. 15 million people sign the petition world-wide. March 13 death of Lilian Ngoyi, President of ANC Women's League, renowned activist who led women's march to Pretoria on August 9, 1956 April 18 Robert Mugabe takes over as President of Zimbabwe June 1 Sasol complex in flames fired by Umkhonto we Sizwe. Dramatic action of MK causes R66 million damage. June 26 ANC in exile awards the Isitwalandwe Seaparankoe to Govan Mbeki and to Bishop Ambrose Reeves. The award is a traditional honour to those whom the ANC considers most worthy. 1981 cross-border raid by S.A. army. 12 ANC members are assassinated. February 14 in response to raid Samora Machel declares Mozambican solidarity with anti-apartheid struggle. June nationwide boycott of the white republic marking the 5th anniversary of Soweto uprising. Mass detentions and bannings, roadblocks; police and soldiers seal off townships. Mk blow up railway lines. Joe Gqabi, ANC journalist shot dead in a street in Zimbabwe 1982 Maseru raid. Cross-border raid into Lesotho by SA soldiers killing 42 people, mostly Lesotho residents. MK attack on Koeberg nuclear power plant, Cape Town August 17 Letter bomb kills Ruth First in her Maputo office.

1983 In Natal Zulu impis kill students on Nogoye University campus for showing "disrespect" to Gatsha Buthelezi. MK car bomb explodes killing SADF and SAP personnel in Pretoria. June 28 : Lubango Angola, Jeanette Schoon (36) and Katryn her six-year-old daughter killed by a parcel bomb in their house. SA army raid on Gaberone, Botswana, killing ANC personnel. Bomb in Airforce HQ in Pretoria June United Democratic Front formed in Cape Town. 1984 Nkomati Peace Accord for Mozambique signed by P. W. Botha and Samora Machel. Bishop Tutu awarded Nobel Peace Prize SADF invade Sebokeng Township. Results in nationwide stay-away and protests. Constitutional Act Tri-Cameral Parlement. United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Forum (NF) formed COSAS (Congress of SA Students) involved in massive school boycotts in townships throughout the country. The boycotts continue into 1985. 1985 NGK Cape Synod recanted re: biblical justification for apartheid Botha's State of Emergency declared. SADF raid Lesotho once again. Leads to fall of the Lesotho Prime Minister, Jonathan Lebua. COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) formed. ANC Consultative Conference held in Zambia. MK bomb attack in Amanzimtoti. Mathew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlawuli, (known as the 'Cradock Four') active members of the Cradock Residents Association (CRA) and of the United Democratic Front (UDF) are found murdered and their bodies mutilated near Port Elizabeth at the end of June. Goniwe is well-nown and popular. A former Robben Island prisoner, Acting Headmaster and Chair of the CRA he was hounded by the police. Evidence at his inquest showed that General CP van der Westhuizen, a Military Chief of Staff had signed the death warrant of the four men. 1986 Andrew Zondo, responsible for Amanzimtoti bomb, executed by hanging. June National Emergency declared. Lasts until 1990, during which time over 30,000 people, including children, are detained. US Comprehensive Anti Apartheid Act (CAAA). The European Community and impose

economic sanctions on South Africa. 1987 Highest number of strikes recorded in one year. COSATU involved in organising strike of 300,00 mineworkers A strike by black railway workers leads to the worst violence in South Africa since the government declared a national state of emergency in 1986. Eleven workers were killed and more than 60 trains damaged or destroyed in firebomb attacks before the government met workers' demands July 12 Dakar (Senegal) Conference organised by IDASA (Institute for a Democratic Alternative for South Africa) attended by 61 prominent South Africans, most Afrikaans-speaking and 17 ANC delegates to create fundamental change and national unity in South Africa. It was still illegal for South African citizens to met with the ANC, so there was a risk of State action against them on their return. Cuito Cuanavale, Angola: South African army moves into Angola to prevent threat to rebel UNITA movement and pursues Angolan troops into Cuito Cuanavale. 1988 ANC's "Constitutional Guidelines for a Democratic South Africa Cuito Cuanavale: The South Africans, with UNITA, expect to take the town and destroy a large part of the Angolan forces. Recognising the threat moves a large force into Cuito Cuanavale and saves the Angolans from defeat. The Cubans then march 10,000 troops South to a few miles from the Namibian border. As a result of this encounter the way is opened for talks on withdrawal of troops and Namibian independence. The talks involve Angola, South Africa, USSR, Cuba and USA. February SADF soldiers suppress an attempted coup by members of Bophuthatswana army. Inkatha forges military connections with KwaZulu government and SA Police. Bitter war against ANC, UDF and Natal communities ensues. Two UDF youth abducted and killed by Inkatha impis on way back from funeral. Violence begins to spread to Transvaal and other provinces. Thokoza becomes an area of intense fighting and KwaZulu is a ceaseless battleground. Despite the violence secret talks continue between the ANC and government representatives. 1989 August 14 PW Botha resigns as President of South Africa. FW de Klerk takes his place. FW de Klerk replaces facilities desegregated. Many ANC activists freed. ANC participates in a number of international conferences on future of the country: OAU, Commonwealth

Heads of Government, UN General Assembly Violence escalates while ANC and government representatives continue secret talks behind closed doors. Security Force involvement in perpetration of violence suspected. ANC drafts Bill of Rights and Constitutional guidelines. Mandela moved to Pollsmoor. October first group of prisoners on Robben Island released 1990 F. W. de Klerk ends apartheid February 2 ANC, SACP, PAC, COSATU and other political organisations unbanned. February 11 Mandela released. Thousands upon thousands wait in the streets of Cape Town to greet him. ANC and de Klerk Government agree to negotiate future of South Africa Malibongwe Women's Conference held in Amsterdam. 100 women, many of whom were members of the ANC Women's League in South Africa, funded by Dutch Anti-Apartheid Movement are permitted to travel out of the country for the first time. Namibia becomes independent 1991 April First National Conference of ANC Women's League held in Kimberley. 1000 delegates from every corner of South Africa attend. Mandela comes to close the Conference. July First ANC National Conference elects Mandela President and O. R. Tambo National Chairman. Three and half million workers strike demanding change of VAT Nationwide demonstrations demanding release of all political prisoners Start of multi-party talks. De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws, international sanctions lifted. Major fighting between ANC and Zulu Inkatha movement. Groote Schuur and Pretoria Minutes resulting from meetings with government. Decision to stop actions of MK and to start negotiations to establish interim government. U. S. ends S. A. sanctions 1992 Following the Referendum in which whites vote to end Apartheid with a national election, when all adult South Africans will vote, CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) working groups set up. Negotiations for a Government of National Unity begin. Violence continues to escalate. Existence of a Third Force identified by investigative journalists. The force

includes sections of the police, military and Inkatha. 1993 April, Chris Hani, Chairman of the SACP is assassinated outside his house in front of his child. Hani is highly valued by the ANC. A key negotiator, he was regarded as a potential successor to Mandela. Agreement on interim constitution. Codesa talks hit snags but continue and agree election date. The Sunset Clause gives current civil servants the right to keep their jobs until the next election. Joe Slovo is said to be the author of the clause. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (born September 26, 1936) December 1993 and April 1997, elected president of the ANC Women's League. Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1994 April 27 The first nationwide democratic election in which all adults in the country are eligible to vote takes place. The world watches as all South Africans go to the polls in peace. ANC wins first non-racial elections. Nelson Mandela becomes president, Government of National Unity formed, Commonwealth membership restored, remaining sanctions lifted. South Africa takes seat in UN General Assembly after 20-year absence 1995 Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, which empowers the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1996 Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu begins hearings on human rights crimes committed by former government and liberation movements during apartheid era Parliament adopts new constitution. National Party withdraws from coalition. becomes President of ANC. 1998 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report brands apartheid a crime against humanity and finds the ANC accountable for human rights abuses. 1999 ANC wins general elections, Thabo Mbeki takes over as president. 2000 December - ANC prevails in local elections. Recently-formed Democratic Alliance captures nearly a quarter of the votes. The Inkatha Freedom Party wins 9%. Thabo Mbeki becomes President of South Africa 2003 May - Walter Sisulu, a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle, dies aged 91. Thousands gather to pay their

last respects. 2004 April - Ruling ANC wins landslide election victory, gaining nearly 70% of votes. Thabo Mbeki begins a second term as president. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Additional Sources http://liberation.ufh.ac.za/library/Library/ANC_Materials/ANC-history.htm 4 April 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1069402.stm 3 April 2008 http://www2.eou.edu/~nknowles/fall2000/satime.html 3 April 2008