South Africa Timeline

Jan 1, 1400

Zulu and Xhosa Kingdoms

1400s

Period: Jan 1, 1400 to Dec 31, 2014

History of South Africa

Jan 8, 1488

Bartolomeu Dias

Dias explored the southern coast of Africa and found a new route to reach the wealthy East Indies. Discovered Cape of Good Hope in South Africa

Jan 9, 1488

Portuguese Inhabit Cape of Good Hope

The Portuguese were the first European inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope because of Dias' exploration and support from King John II of Portugal.

Dec 16, 1497

Vasco De Gama

On Vasco De Gama's voyage to India via sailing around the south African coast, he discovered and named Natal coast, home of the KwaZulu(Zulu Nation).

Jan 1, 1647

First Attempt to Settle in South Africa

The first shipthat attempted to settle in South Africa wrecked on the shore. The people were rescued a yar later because they lost their materials to survive in the wreck

Apr 6, 1652

Dutch Settlement

Instalation of Slave Trade

Jan 7, 1795

Brtish take Cape Colony

defeat Dutch at the battle of Muizenberg

Jan 1, 1816

Zulu Empire Expands

Period: Jan 1, 1835 to Jan 1, 1845

Boers embark on "The Great Trek"

They leave Cape Colony and found many settlements including the Natalia Republic, the Orange Free State Republic and the Transvaal

Jan 1, 1852

British Take Control of Capetown

Dec 16, 1880

First Angelo-Boer War Begins

Boers rebel against British, ends 3/23/1881

Period: Dec 16, 1880 to Mar 3, 1881

First Boer War

Jan 1, 1886

Gold Discovered on the Witwatersrand

Period: Jan 1, 1899 to Jan 1, 1902

Second Boer War

british win

May 31, 1910

Union of South Africa

Jan 1, 1911

Pixley Seme - Native Union

Call to action; need for ANC. Common goal of progress. Nations (black ethnic) set aside differences in order to achieve progress. "Peace, prosperity, and development of this land" Voice for all black South Africans.
Voice - "make their grievances properly known" Pixley Seme - Founder and president of the ANC. First black SA lawyer. Assume that he was active in the ANC.

Jan 8, 1912

Formation of African National Congress

Jan 1, 1913

"Appeal to the British Public about the Native Land Act"

John Dube - writer and activist; Native National Congress There were only small portions of land that black South Africans could live on. 10% of land for 80% of the population. Paying for what they used to own. Not even asking for complete equality; asking to live without being disturbed. Audience - British public.
TONE - APPEAL (versus demand)
Peaceful freedom (versus violence) Tone/attitude
Equity/fairness

Jun 19, 1913

Natives Land Act

First major piece of segregation legislation that separated blacks from whites; precursor of Apartheid

Jul 2, 1915

Foundation of National Party

Ideologies included Apartheid, Afrikaner nationalism, conservatism, and republicanism

Jul 18, 1918

Mandela is born

Born in Mvezo, originally named Rolihlahla Mandela

Jan 1, 1919

Formation of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of Africa (ICU).

Jan 1, 1922

White Workers Mine Strike

Jan 1, 1924

Civilized Labour Policy

May 4, 1925

Ruth First Birth

-> Johanesburg, South Africa
-> White female anti-apartheid activitst/journalist
-> foiled to Steve Biko
-> communist and jewish

Oct 7, 1931

Birth of Bishop Tutu

-> religious leader and anti-apartheid activist

Period: Jan 1, 1939 to Dec 31, 1945

WWII

Feb 12, 1940

JM Coetzee born

Grew up and educated in Cape Town
Afrikaans, but raised in an English speaking home

Dec 1, 1940

Alfred Xuma President of ANC

-> dismissed the house of chiefs
-> created the department of women
-> significant fundraising

Jan 1, 1943

Bus Fair Reduction

-> after an increase in 1 rand in bus fair the ANC decreased the fair back to the original 4 rand

Sep 10, 1944

ANC Youth League formed

Founders: Ashley Peter Mda, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo
Strategies involved civil disobedience, strikes, and protests

Aug 1, 1946

African Mine Workers Strike

Aug 1, 1946

Fagan Comission

-> investigate laws relating to non-whites and their socio-economic circumstances
-> fairness, equality

Dec 18, 1946

Birth of Steve Biko

-> Eastern Cape

Jan 1, 1948

Letter Concerning Treatment of Indians in South Africa

Discrimination towards Indians. Goal to keep a standing relationship.
Indians - "coloured" "coolie" To SA government from Indian government. Via the UN - more exposure. International involvement versus lack thereof. Apartheid was not viewed internationallly from the Western hemisphere. However, the east was heavily involved. Pakistan was also involved.

May 26, 1948

National Party wins the General Election

Introduction of Apartheid Policy

Jan 1, 1949

Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act

Jan 1, 1950

Immorality Amendment Act

Aug 1, 1952

Nelson Mandela - Defiance of Unjust Laws Campaign

We Defy - 10,000 volunteers protest against unjust laws

Open to all volunteers regardless of "color, race, or creed"

White vs. white
Gandhi and non-violence
Opposing a system, not a government or group of people.
Referenced Suppression of Communism Act (1950) Political Alliances

Oct 30, 1952

Henry Nxumalo "The Story of Defiance"

Investigative journalist (killed on te job).
Peaceful anti-Apartheid demonstrations.
Identity, freedom, and disenfranchisement.
South African ideal/culture.
Opposition to government/white authority.
People went to prison willingly and peacefully, but showed their independence through a cultural demonstration.
MUSIC - unity and independence.

Jan 1, 1955

Freedom Charter

"Declaration of Independence for SA" - peaceful friendship for everyone, regardless of color. Designed by al Alliance - ANC, SA Indian Conference, SA Congress of Democrats, CPO, SA Council of Trade Unions

Jan 1, 1956

Women introduced to all Apartheid Laws

Consider the role of women in the economy and in the struggle against Apartheid. Link to Invisible Man - potential link to white MAN entitlement. Double oppression.

Dec 1, 1956