Year

Until

Event

Comment

-10000000

SAYEARS
GENERAL CHRONOLOGY OVER SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY
(First part mostly in Danish, last part in English. More fields available in online version).

KRONOLOGISK ÅRSTALSLISTE OVER SYDAFRIKAS HISTORIE

- 10000

San-folk lever over hele det sydlige Afrika. Sikkert indvandret fra Centralafrika.

- 2000

Khoikhoi hyrdefolk/pastoralister vandrer ind i det nuværende Sydafrika. Måske allerede -4000.

Khoisanfolkenes forfædre lever i frugtbar symbiose som hyrder, jægere og samlere i store dele af det sydlige Afrika.

0300

1000

Bantutalende halvagerbrugere indvandrer gradvist over flere århundreder og breder sig syd for Limpopo ned mod Fish River.

1453

Konstantinobel falder. Vejen til "Indien" via mellemosten besværliggores yderligere.

1487

1488

Portugisisk ekspedition under Bartholomeu Dias når Mossel Bay. Holl.: Mosselbaai. Man nåede frem til Algoa-bugten/Port Elizabeth.

1497

1498

Vasco da Gama runder Kap det Gode Håb på sin vej til Indien. Port.: Cabo de Boa Esperanca.

1500

1600

Table Bay fungerer periodisk som anlobssted for portugisiske, franske, engelske og danske skibe. Der lægges postvarder og sås gronsager.

1503

1510

Forst Saldanha, siden Almeida bruger Taffel Bay som mellemstation undervejs til Ostafrika.
I 1502 har Vasco da Gama passeret på sin 2. rejse til Indien.

1619

Den danske admiral og gesandt Ove Giedde ankrer ved Cape undervejs til Indien.

1652

Det Hollandske Ost-Indiske Kompagni opretter permanent forsyningsstation ved Kap.

1652

1795

Boerne etablerer sig, Khoisan underkues, slaveimport starter.

1658

De forste slaver importeres til Kapkolonien fra Indonesien, Indien, Ceylon, Madagascar og Portugisisk Ostafrika/Mocambique.

1659

Forste småkrig med den oprindelige khoikhoi-befolkning. Hollænderne bliver belejret i et år i fortet i Kapstaden.

1660

Van Riebeecks folk planter et hegn af vilde mandeltræer for at adskille

1685

Forste forbud mod blandede ægteskaber.

1705

Kompagniet bremser for yderligere indvandring. Hollandske, tyske og franske nybyggere udgor hovedparten af de hvide.

1760

Forste paslove for slaver og "hottentoter" indfores af hollænderne.

1779

1781

1. grænsekrig mod xhorsaerne, der tvinges tilbage over Fiskefloden og mister 5000 stk kvæg.

1789

1793

2. grænsekrig xhorsaerne tilbageerobrer Zuurveld og 60.000 stk kvæg.

1795

Storbritanien tager Cape fra Hollænderne.

1795

Alle "Kaffirs" bliver udelukket fra Kapkolonien ved en proklamation

1799

1803

Khoikhoistamerne gor opror i det ostlige Cape. 3. grænsekrig mod khoi og xhorsaer, der delvist holder Zuurveld.

1803

Hollænderne (Den Bataviske Republik) får Cape tilbage ved fredstraktat.

1806

Storbritannien generobrer Cape i forbindelse med Napoleonskrigene. Ved freden i 1814 afstås Kap formelt til England.

1807

1809

Englænderne stopper slavehandlen og dermed importen af slaver til Kapkolonien.

1807

Det britiske forbud mod slaveri stopper importen af yderligere

1809

Caledon Code of 1809. Paslignende love indfores for "hottentotter" af den forste civile engelske guvernor the Earl of Caledon.

1811

1812

Engelske og koloniale styrker udviser afrikanerne fra områderne vest for Fish River.

1812

Regler for kontraktbinding af Khoi-born på hvide landbrug.

1815

Forsog på boeropror mod den engelske kolonimagt i frontierområdet i utilfredshed med restriktioner.

1815

1828

Shaka bliver hovding for zuluerne og etablerer Zulu-kongedommet, hvilket forer til stammekrige og folkevandringer i store dele af Sydostafrika.

1818

1819

5. grænsekrig. 10.000 xhorsaer angriber Grahamstown men stoppes. Makana anbringes på Robben Island, hvor han drukner under flugtforsog.

1818

1879

Last waves of "native" wars of resistance against colonial expansion, Boer Republicanism, British Imperialism and colonisation in Southern Africa.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1820

Engelske nybyggere ankommer til Cape-kolonien i storre tal.

1828

Koloni-regeringen indforer paskontrol med afrikanske arbejdere jvnf.Ordinance 49. Ordinance 50 ophæver til gengæld bindinger af Khoi-folk til hvide farme.

1828

Ordinance 49 og 50. Paslignende regler for afrikanere i Cape.

1834

1838

Slaverne i Cape-kolonien bliver emanciperet (frigivet) efter, at England har afskaffet slaveriet i kolonierne i 1833.

1834

1835

6. grænsekrig. Engelske kolonitropper besejrer Xhosaerne.

1834

Ophævelsen af slaveriet træder i kraft 1838

1835

1840

Fem til femten tusinde boere udvandrer fra Cape med deres farvede tyende under, hvad senere blev kendt som voortrekkernes Great Trek, Det store træk, til det indre Sydafrika.

1838

En boer-commando besejrer zuluernes hær ved Blood River, efter at boerlederen Piet Retief er blevet lokket i en fælde og myrdet.

1839

Boerrepublikken Natalias forfatning udelukker sorte fra alle valg.

1841

Masters and Servants Act (fornyet bl.a. 1856, afløst 1904).

1843

Storbritanien annekterer Natal.

1846

1847

7. grænsekrig, oksekrigen. Engelske tropper og kolonitropper bekæmper Xhosaerne.

1850

1853

8. grænsekrig. Engelske tropper og kolonitropper bekæmper atter Xhosaerne.

1852

England anerkender Transvaals selvstændighed som boerrepublik.

1852

In Natal Theophilus Shepstone received an appointment in 1845 as a diplomatic agent (later secretary for native affairs), and his position served as a prototype for later native commissioners. The Harding Commission (1852) set aside reserves for Africans, and missionaries and pliant chiefs were brought in to persuade Africans to work. After 1849 Africans became subject to a hut tax.

1854

England anerkender Orange Fristaten som selvstændig boerrepublik.

1854

Parlamentarisk system med kvalificeret valgret indfores i Cape. Perioden 1854-1872 karakteriseres som Representative Government.

1856

1857

Xhosaerne foranstalter kvægdrab (the Xhosa cattle-killing) på deres eget kvæg i håb om en mirakulos redning efter militære nederlag.

1857

Den holandske reformerte kirke indforte adskilte kirker. Dette blev fulgt af en komplet opsplitning af kirken i 1881, hvor alle sorte forvistes til Sendingkerk.

1858

Lesotho vinder krig mod Orange Fristaten.

1858

Transvaalrepublikkens forfatning foreskriver ulighed

1860

1911

Arbejdskraftsystem med kontraktbundne indiske plantagearbejdere i Natal.

1865

1867

Orange Fristaten vinder krig mod Lesotho.

1866

1867

Diamanter opdages ved Vaal-Hartz og minedrift starter i Griqualand West. Kimberley bliver for en periode Sydafrikas storste byområde.

1866

British Kaffraria annekteres af Capekolonien.

1868

Storbritanien annekterer Lesotho under navnet Basutoland.

1869

Suez-kanalen åbnes og forkorter transportvejen til Osten udenom Sydafrika.

1870

Afrikanere forbydes at eje minelodder ved Kimberley af den selv-

1870

Beginnings of black political organisations: resistance to pass-laws, land occupation by colonialists, trekboere and hut taxes.

1871

Start of diamond mining at Kimberley. England annekterer diamantfelterne i Griqualand West.

1872

Kapkolonien opnårformelt en hojere grad af selvstændighed i forhold til England. Forfatningsmæssigt overgås til Responsiple Goverment. Perioden 1872 - 1910 bliver karakteriseret som Responsible Government.

1875

Black Flag-revolten i Kimberley aktualiserer en mere moderne racestrid, da de hvide diamantgravere forlanger særrettigheder overfor de sorte.

1877

Storbritanien annekterer boerrepublikken Transvaal.

1878

Englænderne undertrykker Thlaping/Tswana-opror i Griqualand West.

1878

Natal Code of Native Law.

1879

Engelske og kolonitropper erobrer Zuluernes områder efter at have mistet et helt regiment ved Isandhlwana. Samtidig undertrykkes pedierne.

1880

1881

Transvaal opnår påny selvstændighed efter boeroprorog britisk nederlag ved Majuba. Den forste boerkrig.

1880

Griqualand West tildeles Cape. Cape i krig mod sothoerne.

1882

Imbumba Yama Nyama formed as the first modern political organisation to represent explicitly African interest in their struggle for “national rights” partly as a reaction on the formation of Afrikaner Bond and the assumption of this organisation that Boers rather than blacks were the true “Afrikaners”.

1883

Forskelsbehandling ved visitation i diamantminerne efter proteststrejker.

1884

1885

Englænderne annekterer det sydlige Bechuanaland.

1884

Indian congress NIC under Gandhi established.

1886

Guldfund og -minedrift starter i Witwatersrandområdet.

1887

England annekterer Zululand.

1887

Den sorte stemmeret i Cape indskrænkes via hojere kvalifikationskrav.

1892

På Rhodes initiativ indskrænkes den afrikanske valgret kraftigt i Cape.

1893

Natalkolonien opnår Responsible Government.

1893

Forste officielle jobreservationsordninger under Kruger-regeringen.

1894

Med Glen Grey Act etableres adskilt system for landejerskab og skat for afrikanere i Eastern Cape.

1894

Glen Grey Act introducerer adskilt landejerskab.

1895

1896

Engelsk angreb på Transvaal nedkæmpes (Jameson raid).

1896

Thlaping-opror ved Langeberg bliver slået ned af englænderne.

1896

Specielle pasregler indfores for migrantarbejdere ved minerne.

1897

Kvægpest 1895-97 forer til sociale problemer (Rinderpest).

1897

Zululand indlemmes i Natal.

1898

Commando fra Transvaal erobrer Vendaernes land og betvinger dermed den sidste frie afrikanske stamme på Sydafrikas område.

1899

1902

Anglo Boer War / South African War. Boer Republics fought British Imperialism. Britain conquers Transvaal and Orange Free State. Few examples of black participation.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1902

1905

Implementation of the Peace of Vereeniging. Reconstruction rule in Transvaal and Orange Free State during Milner. From 1903 custom union between the four colonies.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1902

Lokale regler for forvisning af sorte ifm pest og influenza. Også 1918.

1903

1905

Styreform med segregation anbefales af South African Native Affairs Commission.

1903

Coulereds organisation APO founded.

1904

1907

Chamber of Mines importerer 63.000 kinesiske arbejdere.

1904

Tansvaals regering indforer Labour Ordinance som fastlåser

1906

1907

Britain impose parliamentary system allowing a degree of self-government in the former Boer republics. Only whites are given franchise. Het Volk wins the election in Transvaal and Orangia Unie wins in Orange River Colony.

1906

1908

Bambata Rebellion.
Zuluernes Bambata-opror nedkæmpes af englænderne.

1906

Paslove for indere.

1910

Cape, Natal, Transvaal og Orange Fristaten sammensluttes i USA. Formation of the Union of South Africa.

1910

Ved Unionens oprettelse (vedtaget af det britiske parlament 1909) bevares stemmeretten for sorte i Capeprovinsen.

1911

Native Labour Regulation Act / Mines and Works Act No. 12.

1912

South African Native National Congress (SANNC) established in Bloemfontein. Renamed 1923 to African National Congress (ANC). Indian congress under Gandhi established already 1894.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1913

Natives Land Act begrænser afrikansk landejendom til reservaterne, der sættes til at udgore ca. 7% af jorden.

1913

1914

Boers rebel and strikes in Rand against "one stream policy" of Botha and Smuts. The dream of "white Republicanism" revitalised.
Gandhi leads indians in general strike in Natal.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1913

Native Lands Act No. 27. Deputation by black South Africans visit Britain unsuccessfully to oppose unilaterally imposed "Land Acts". African land ownership restricted to reservations covering 7 persent of of the land.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1914

1919

South Africa enter First World War as part of the British Empire, which leads to a Boer uprising (Afrikaner Rebellion). Many South Africans of all races participated in Britain's War against Germany and come reluctantly back to "pass-laws", "liquor laws", and the effects of 1913 Land Acts; Afrikaner Broederbond (AB) established (1917); a political-cultural movement for white, male Afrikaans-speaking Protestants.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1914

National Party established in Bloemfontein.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1915

Sydafrika invaderer Tysk Sydvestafrika.

1917

Anglo American Corporation of South Africa dannet. Med udgangspunkt i minekapitalen dominerer firmaet Sydafrikansk okonomi.

1918

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is born 18 July .

1920

First big African strike on the goldmines. The trade union IWA active.

1920

Native Affairs Act No. 23.

1920

1930

Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) active. Afrikaner Broederbond became a secret organisation, 1921 - 1923 and further. Two attempts to resist government policies took place in 1922. The white mineworkers rebellion in the Witwatersrand (Benoni, Boksburg and elsewhere) and the Bondelswarts Rebellion in Southern Namibia (Suidwes). Both attempts (one against capitalist exploitation, the other against South Africa as an embrio-colonizing state representing part of the British Empire) were quelled effectively with military force.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1921

The Communist Party of South Africa CPSA founded from smaller units originated from socialist peace and worker groups from 1915.

1921

Regeringen massakrerer den sorte religiose bevægelse Isralites ved Bulhoek, hvor man er samlet for at afvente et befriende mirakel.

1922

Rand Revolt. White workers on strike takes control over Johannesburg to defend white standards, but are suppressed by government troops.

1922

Apprenticeship Act.

1923

Natives (Urban Areas) Act no. 21.

1924

The election is won by a coalition of Labour Party and National Party. Pact governmet under Hertzog impose discriminating segregation policy.

1924

Industrial Conciliation Act udelukker migrantarbejdere fra faglig repræsentation.

1924

Industrial Conciliation Act (tilfojelser i 1937, 56 og 59).

1925

Sydafrika tilslutter sig den internationale guldstandard. Beskyttelsestold indfores.

1925

Det hollandske sprog indbefatter nu ifolge parlamentsbeslutning Afrikaans, som derved bliver officielt sprog ved siden af engelsk.

1925

Wage Act.

1925

Emergency Powers Bill.

1925

Native Taxation and Development Act No. 41.

1926

Mines and Works Amendment Act No. 25.

1926

Colour Bar Act.

1927

Native Administration Act. (Black Administration Act).

1927

Immorality Act No. 5.

1928

ISCOR, Iron and Steel Industrial Corporation), oprettes som det forste af en række halv eller hel-statslige "korporasies". (SASOL, FOSCOR, ARMSCOR, SATS, ESCOM).

1930

1933

World Wide Economic Slump ("Great Depression") hits South Africa hard.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1930

Hvide kvinder får valgret og ejendoms- og uddannelseskvalifikationer

1930

Ammended Riotous Assemblies Act

1931

Sydafrika bliver uafhængig dominion, ligestillet med Storbritannien ifolge britisk lov efter Imperie-konferencen i 1926.

1931

Entertainments Act.

1932

Sydafrika går fra den internationale guldstandard.

1932

Native Service Contract Act No. 24.

1934

1933-34 South African Party and National Party merges. Coalition government / Fusion government.

1934

Opbygningen af en ny form for afrikaanernationalisme, Afrikanerdom, begynder at tage form gennem opbygningen af egne selvbærende okonomiske sammenslutnimnger.

1934

Slums Act gav byrådene ret til at flytte indbyggere i dårlige boliger.

1934

All-African Convention founded with support of CPSA, ANC, APO, the Indian Congress and others in a meeting with 400 delegates.

1936

Native Trust and Land Act (Native Lands Act)

1936

Development Land and Trust Act no. 18.

1936

Representation of Natives Act No. 12 (Hertzog-lovene). (1937)

1937

Marketing Act tildeler hvide farmere statssubsidier.

1937

Native Laws Admendment Act skærper paslovene.

1938

Afrikaanernationalismen mobiliseres gennem Eeuwfees-arangementet, der markerede 100-året for Det store træk.

1939

1945

Sydafrika deltager på de allieredes side i 2. verdenskrig.

1939

Jan Christiaan Smuts danner regering. Sydafrika går med i anden verdenskrig på engelsk side.

1940

Mandela expelled from Fort Hare University College for student strike.

1941

Factories, Machinery and Building Workers Act.

1941

Mandela moves to Johannesburg.

1942

War Measure No. 145.

1943

Mandela member of ANC.

1944

Mandela married to Evelyn Mase.

1945

Native (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act No. 25.

1946

Between 50.000 and 100.000 African mineworkers in strike are driven back to the mines by armed police forces.
ANC withdraw from Natives Representatives Council.

1946

1947

Indian resistance campaign against Ghetto Act.

1946

Saur-rapporten foreslår foroget segregation.

1946

Gettoloven, der begrænsede inderes kob af fast ejendom til bestemte områder.

1948

National Party wins parliamentary control with the support of Afrikaner Party. 1950s: NP takes over and successive apartheid laws are implemented.
ANC active; Defiance Campaign (1955); Freedom Charter; PAC brake away developing.

1949

ANC adopts radical action programme known as Youth Leagues Programme of Action.

1949

Stridigheder mellem afrikanere og indere i Durban.

1949

Betegnelsen "britisk undersåt" erstattes med "sydafrikansk statsborgerskab."

1949

Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act no. 55 (30/6).

1949

Immorality Amendment Act (12/5).

1950

Population Registration Act indeler befolkningen efter race. Group Areas Act racedeler beboelsesområderne.

1950

Sikkerhedslovgivningen forbyder kommunistisk virksomhed. Kommunistpartiet (CPSA) oploser sig selv.

1950

Suppression of Communism Act, No. 44.

1950

Population Registration Act no. 30 (9/6).

Tilfojelse 1962, 1964, 1967 og 1969

1950

Group Areas Act No. 41 (7/7) (og senere admendments). Ophævet 1991. / 1979?

1951

Bantu Authoritives Act No. 68.

1951

Separate Representation of Voters Act.

1951

Native Building Workers Act No. 27.

1951

Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act no. 52.

1952

ANC and the Indian Congress starts comprehensive defiance campaign using different forms of civil disobedience.

1952

Natives (Abolition of Passes and Coordination of Documents) Act

1952

Mandela opens law office in Joburg with Oliver Tambo.

1953

Regeringen formaliserer dårligere uddannelsesstandarder for afrikanere.

1953

1954

Protests against forced removal of Sophiatown township.

1953

Reservation of Separate Amenities Act no. 49.

1953

Bantu Education Act No. 47.

1953

Public Safety Act no. 3.

1953

Native (Bantu) Labour Settlement of Disputes Act no. 48.

1953

Criminal Laws Amentmend Act.

1955

Congress of the People adopts the Freedom Charter.

1955

Native (Urban Areas) Amendment Act skærper indflytningskontrollen

1955

The Universities Act, 1955 (Act No. 61 of 1955)

1956

1961

156 members of ANC and the Congress Alliance are charged with high treason and put on trial.
Cape voting rights for coulereds are abolished.
1960s: Banning and oppression of liberation movements. First rumblings of "the armed struggle" ("Armed propaganda"). PAC established 1959 and banned together with the ANC, SACP and SACTU.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1956

Mass-demonstrations by black women as protest against pass laws.

1956

1957

Upraising in rural areas in Transvaal og Orange Free State.

1956

Riotous Assemblies Act no. 17.

1956

Bantu Prohibition of Interdicts Act no. 14.

1956

Mandela is among the accused in high treason trial.

1957

Disturbances in connection with the Alexandra bus-boycott.

1957

Immorality Amendment Act no. 23.

1957

Native Laws Admendment Act no. 36.

1957

Group Areas Act No. 77.

1957

Coloured Labour Preference Policy (CLPP).

1958

1966

Verwoerd premierminister.

1958

1959

Pan-African Congress (PAC) formed after breakaway from ANC.

1958

Mandela marries Momzamo Zaniewe Winifred "Winnie" Madikizela after divorse.

1959

Uroligheder i Durban kendt som Cato Manor beerhall protests.

1959

Proclamation 46.

1959

Extention of University Education Act.

1959

Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act no. 46. (1960)

1959

Bantu Investment Corporation Act No. 34.

1960

Afrikanere og farvede fratages resterende parlamentariske repræsentation, idet deres hvide parlamentsmedlemmer afskaffes.

1960

Police kills at least 67 African demonstrators at Sharpeville. ANC and PAC are banned.

1960

Revolt in rural Pondoland.

1960

Unlawful Organisations Act no. 34.

1960

MacMillan holder sin Wind of Change-tale i Cape Town under indtryk af afkoloniseringsprocessen i resten af Afrika.

1961

Sydafrika forlader Commonwealth delvist under tvang og bliver republik, South African Republic.

1961

Big political strike. The trade union movement SACTU’s last legal action are suppressed. Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the Congress Alliance are formed. First sabotage actions.

1961

Poqo-revolt in rural areas.

1962

Politiet fanger og fængsler Nelson Mandela. Han loslades forst igen i 1990.

1962

General Laws Amendment Act. (1963)

1962

Sabotage Act.

1962

Mandela gets 5 years prison for leaving the country and organising 1961-strikes.

1962

United Nations condem apartheid as form of rule.

1963

Umkhontos ledelse fanges, PACs netværk optrevles, alle frihedsbevægelser er under joden, ledelserne i eksil.

1963

Transkei får "selvstyre" som det forste "hjemland".

1963

Publications and Entertainments Act.

1963

Mandela accused for sabotage together with Rivonia prisoners.

1964

Bantu Laws Amendment Act.

1964

Black Labour Act.
FRELIMO launches armed struggle in Mozambique. (September).

1964

Mandela gets life sentence and is sent to Robben Island prison.

1965

Proclamation R26.
lan Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, Rhodesia. (November).

1966

1968

Lesotho, Botswana og Swaziland bliver uafhængige stater.
ZANU begins military operations in Zimbabwe. (April 66).
SWAPO launches armed struggle for the liberation of Namibia. (August 66).

1967

Terrorism Act no. 83.

1967

Proclamation R123 26/5.

1968

BOSS, den nye statssikkerhedstjeneste oprettes.

1968

Prohibition of Political Interference Act No. 51.

1969

ANC holds the Morogoro-conference.

1969

Student organisation SASO formed under Steve Biko’s leadership and the Black Consciousness Movement BC develops.

1969

Bureau of State Security Act.

1970

Bantu Homeland Citizenship Act no. 26.

1970

National States Citizenships Act no. 26.

1971

Bantu Homelands Constitution Act.

1971

Bantu Administration Act no. 45.

1971

National States Constitution Act no. 21.

1972

1973

Widespread strikes amongst workers in Natal. Black Consciousness debates slowly introduced. National Security Management System being developed by the racist regime in Pretoria.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1972

KwaZulu omdannes til "hjemland"

1972

Native Laws Admendment Act no. 54.

1973

Bantu Labour Relations Regulations Act.

1973

Gatherings and Demonstration Act no. 52.

1974

1976

Portugals kolonirige bryder sammen efter lang kolonikrig. Mozambique og angola bliver uafhængige stater.

1974

Affected Organizations Act, no. 31.

1974

Publications Act no. 42.

1974

Publications Act.

1974

South Africa expelled from United Nations General Assembly.

1975

Inkatha oprettes.
Independence of the People's Republic of Mozambique. (June).
Independence of the People's Republic of Angola. (November).

1976

1977

Soweto Rebellion July 1976. At least 575 people are killed by the police in African townships.
South African military (SADF) entered Angola to prevent a "Marxist take-over" after the fall of colonial Portuguese control.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1976

1981

Sydafrika giver "uafhængighed" til 4 hjemlande Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda og Ciskei. De bliver ikke anerkendt af andre end Sydafrika.

1976

Forste fjernsynsudsendelser i januar. Reklamefjernsyn fra 1978.

1976

Internal Security Admendment Act, no. 79.

1976

1980

Patriotic Front between ZAPU and ZANU. (October 76).
South Africa involved in pre-emptive strikes in "communist" states. These mainly aimed against SWAPO/ANC supporting Frontline Countries. Resistance building up against apartheid; Rising influence of securocrats in South Africa; further the militarisation of state, white society and the economy in South Africa.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1976

United Nations adopts arms embargo against South Africa.

1977

FNs sikkerhedsråd indforer våbenembargo mod Sydafrika.

1977

Bantu Biko died in detention after torture. Banning of newspapers like The World and organisations like the Christian Institute. Broederbond advisors to B J Vorster suggest Three Parliaments ("White", "Coloured" and "Indian" with the explicit exclusion of black people).

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1977

Introduktion af Community Councils.

1978

1984

Botha prime minister. Vorster resigns after corruption scandal.
1970s: Total Onslaught ideology / Total Strategy develops under P W Botha and Magnus Malan. Militarisation of the South African economy and white society triggered. Power shifts to State Security Council. National Security Management System rules through 500 local Joint Management Committees.

1978

Bantu Laws Amendment Act no.102.

1978

Fund-Raising Act no. 107.

1979

Arbejdsmarkedslovgivningen tillader organisations- og strejkeret til afrikanere. Organisationer oprettes i townshipområder.

1979

1980

Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) bliver selvstændigt.
Independence of the Republic of Zimbabwe. (April).

1979

Carlton-konferencen afholdes mellem regeringen og erhvervslivet. Reikert- og Wiehanhkommissionerne anbefaler liberalisering af arbejdsmarkedet.

1979

Industrial Conciliation Admendment Act no.94 (Wiehanh-reformerne)

1980

1990

Resistance grows. Strikes, civic movements and educational boycots. Relase Mandela Campaign. Tri-cameral parliament implemented after 'whites only' referendum. The "one million signatures campaign" against the Tri-cameral parliament. SADF involved in regional destabilisation as policy instrument. Broederbond advisors to Botha play a crucial role in devising the exclusive and racially segregated Tri-cameral Parliament.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1981

1988

Sydafrikanske styrker invaderer Angola og slår til i andre lande. Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe og Zambia.

1981

Boycott movement against Indian council elections.

1982

Political strike after the dead of Niel Aggett.

1982

Black Local Authorities Act no. 102.

1983

The white voters adopt new three chamber Constitution that keeps Africans outside and strengthens the presidency. United Democratic Front (UDF) formed in protest.

1983

United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Forum (NF) established partly due to ANC lead build-up campaign and as reaction against three-chamber parliament reform.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1983

University Admendment Act no. 83.

1983

Republic of South Africa Constitution Act No. 110.

1983

Basic Conditions of Employment Act No. 3.

1984

The new constitution gives franchise to Indians and Coloureds but excludes Africans. Botha president. Stay-at-home actions and election boycott.

1984

1986

SADF drawn into the townships to quell disturbances (Sebokeng, September '84 the first township to be 'stabilised'). Mass detentions of activists, escalation of covert operations by the South African government. Manipulation of "third forces" and "dirty tricks". South Africans experience the local version of Guerra Sucia (A dirty war) against democrats. The Afrikaner Broederbond's leading spokes-people at the University of Stellenbosch and the Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit (RAU) critisize "Oorbeligte" (overtly) critical academics and students for questioning "Reform" (Shamreform).
Desmond Tutu receives Nobel Peace Prize.
Nkornati Accord between South Africa and Mozambique. (March 84).

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1984

October, The United Nations (UN) General Assembly rejects and considers a new constitution of South Africa amended by the Apartheid government as null and void. The General assembly condemned “the South African racist regime for defying relevant resolutions of the United Nations and persisting with further entrenchment apartheid.” Britain and America abstain from the vote.October, Professor HV ‘Harvey’ van der Merwe goes to Harare and meets with Thabo Mbeki, head of the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) Department of Information and Publicity. Van de Merwe’s idea of bringing a delegation of the National Party’s Members of Parliament (MPs) to Lusaka is rejected by the ANC.December, Piet Muller editor of the Beeld interviews Thabo Mbeki and publishes an editorial piece urging the government to hold secret talks with the ANC.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1985

ANC holds mobilizing Kabwe-Conference adobt revolutionary strategy (June). Black mass resistance. Semi-martial state of law (July). Unrest starts in Natal. The national union organization COSATU formed.

Se Hougton p 25.

1985

Eminent Persons Group (EPG), a Commonwealth Delegation, failed to negotiate a way out of continuing civil strife. Attacks by SA on Lesotho, Mozambique (Maputo), Harare and Lusaka. Civil Strife continues, followed by mass-detentions.
First meetings with the ANC by South African citizens against NP wishes. The international isolation of the Pretoria regime, a central pillar of ANC struggle continues, the disinvestment campaign picks up speed (Bishop Desmond Tutu and the South African Council of Churches (SACC) maintain that it is one of the only relative peaceful strategies to put pressure on the Pretoria-regime).

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1985

January, In an interview with Lord Bethell, a Conservative member of the European Parliament, Nelson Mandela calls for the unbanning of the ANC.31 January, State President P W Botha offers Nelson Mandela conditional release from prison if he renounces violence. Similar offers are made in 1987 and 1988.10 February, Nelson Mandela’s daughter Zinzi Mandela reads a statement issued by her father in response to Botha’s offer of conditional release.April, The publisher of the Leadership magazine, Hugh Murray, meets Mbeki at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka. He tables a proposal to bring prominent businessmen to Zambia including Anglo American head Gavin Relly.April, Members of National Union of South African Students(Nusas) go to Harare to meet with the ANC.July, President P.W Botha announces a state of emergency covering 36 magisterial districts.15 August, PW Botha delivers his infamous ‘Rubicon speech’ where he is expected both locally and internationally to announce major changes in dismantling apartheid. However, the speech affirms that nothing would change.16 August, Oliver Tambo, President of the ANC issues a statement in response to Botha’s speech calling it an arrogant affirmation of apartheid, accusing the government of being “...a clique of diehard racists, hidebound reactionaries and bloodthirsty fascist braggarts who will heed nobody except themselves.”13 September, The ANC meets a business delegation from South Africa. The ANC delegation includes Oliver Tambo, Thabo Mbeki, Chris Hani, Mac Maharaj, Pallo Jordanand James Stuart. The business delegation includes Tony Bloom of the Premier Group; Harald Pakendorf, editor of Die Vaderland; Tertius Myburgh, editor of the Sunday Times; and Hugh Murray editor of Leadership SA. Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda hosts the meeting.October, Frederik van Zyl Slabbertleads a Progressive Federal Party (PFP) delegation to Lusaka to meet with the ANC.October, The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) is established at a Commonwealth Conference. Amongst its ranks were Olusegun Obasanjoand Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. The EPG drafts a document that links the political transition to the release of political prisoners and the suspension of the struggle by the ANC.1 December, The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) sends a delegation to a meeting of the World Council of Churches in Harare and meets with the ANC to discuss closer cooperation.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1986

National emergency declared. Thousands in prison, press censorship.

1986

The U.S. Congress passes anti-apartheid sanctions despite Reagan's veto. International breakthrough for sanctions. Commonwealth adopt sanctions.

1986

Abolition of Influx Control Bill.
Pass laws repealed and passports replaced with identity cards.

1986

Meetings between South African democrats and the ANC continued.
The "Armed Struggle" now aimed at escalation. "Civilian targets" (so-called soft targets) become a debate.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1986

January, The United Democratic Front(UDF) meets with the ANC in Stockholm. Its delegates include Arnold Stofile, Valli Moosa, Cheryl Carolusand Raymond Suttner. The ANC delegation consists of Oliver Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Thomas Nkobi, Thabo Mbeki, Aziz Pahad and Mac Maharaj. March, Chief Minister Enos Mabuza leads a delegation from the Inyandza Movement from the Kangwane homeland to meet with the ANC in Lusaka.May, J.P de Lange the leader of the Afrikaner Broederbond and Rector of Rand Afrikaans University meets with the ANC in New York.May, The EPG collapses after the Apartheid government conducts raids in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.1 May, An estimated 1 million workers joined by students who boycotted classes embark on a stay away organised by COSATU.May, The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc) sends a delegation to Lusaka to meet with the ANC. Amongst the delegation was Nafcoc leader Gabriel Mokgoko and Richard Maponya - a leading Soweto businessman. March, COSATU sends a second delegation to meet with the ANC. The labour body’s delegation includes the NUM’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Sydney Mufamadiand Jay Naidoo. The ANC’s side includes Oliver Tambo, John Nkadimeng(General Secretary of South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), Kay Moonsamy, Thabo Mbeki, Chris Hani and Mac Maharaj.September, The Comprehensive Anti Apartheid Act is passed in the United States (US) after Congress overrides president Ronald Regan’s veto on the legislation.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1987

Large scale African mineworker strike. 250.000 at strike for 3 weeks.

1987

Consequences of the Rubicon-speech by P W Botha felt through increasing sanctions. Civil strife continues. The break-away "Independent Movement" in white politics led by Dennis Worral, Esther Lategan and others contest NP strategy of "Security First" in April elections. The leader of the white opposition party in parliament (PFP) resigned from parliament calling Tri-cameralism a "farce" and an attempt at "sham" reform. He objects to the role of the State Security Council (Staatsveiligheidsraad); Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) established. Gen. Magnus Malan refers to IDASA as part "of a total intellectual onslaught " on South Africa. P W Botha and Magnus publicly declare the ANC as "enemy No. 1" of the South African State. First major meeting between an Afrikaans-speaking group with the banned ANC in Dakar, Senegal against the wishes of the NP.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1987

Leaders of the South African Council of Churches Dr CF Beyers Naude and Rev Frank Chikane meet with the ANC.

March, Desmond Tutu meets with the ANC
National Executive Committee (NEC) in Lusaka to discuss violence, the armed struggle and strategies to achieve a non-racial democracy.

July, The Institute for a Democratic Alternative for South Africa (IDASA) headed by Van Zyl Slabbert sends a large delegation of 62 people, mainly Afrikaners to meet with the ANC in Dakar, Senegal. The talks continue in Ghana and Burkina Faso. Amongst the IDASA delegation were Beyers Naude, liberal historian Herman Giliomee and Max du Preez a journalist. The ANC delegation of 17 included Mac Maharaj, Steve Tshwete, and Pallo Jordan amongst others.

August, Rev Allan Boesak, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches holds talks with the ANC in Lusaka.

September, Opposition leader Dennis Worral, Richard Steyn, editor of the Natal Witness and rugby player, Tommy Bedford, arrive as part of a delegation to meet with the ANC.

October, Academics from University of the Western Cape (UWC) and members of the Western Cape Teachers’ Union meet with the ANC in Lusaka.

November, Wille Esterhuyse an academic at the University of Stellenbosch takes 20 Afriakanner academics to meet with the ANC in England, the first meeting in a series of meetings that would continue until 1990.

November, Harry Gwala and Zephania Mothopeng are released from Robben Island.

December, Members of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) flies to Lusaka to meet with the ANC.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1988

International sanctions impact continues to be felt. South Africa seen as a pariah state by many. South Africa's involvement in the Frontline States problematised. Defeat of South African Army at Cuito Canavale, Angola.
New York accords between Angola, Cuba and South Africa lead to independence process in Namibia. (December).
UN-solution outlined. Withdrawal of South African occupiers from Namibia starts.
"Talks about talks" begin. Some political prisoners inside South Africa released.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1988

Local elections with some black voting right boycotted effectively.

1988

The Tertiary Education Act, 1988 (Act No. 66 of 1988)

1988

January, Members of Transkei’s Democratic Progressive Party meet the ANC.

May, Legal academics, attorneys and lawyers go to Lusaka to meet with the ANC.

May, Formal meetings between Nelson Mandela and South African government representatives, Kobie Coetzee, Mike Louw, Fanie van der Merwe and Neil Barnard commence.

August, The Consultative Business Movement (CBM) is formed by representatives of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and business leaders.

October, Members of the Transvaal Indian Congress(TIC) and Natal Indian Congress(NIC), together with 52 members of the Indian community hold discussions with the ANC on a post-apartheid South African dispensation.

October, Dr Danie Craven leads a delegation of the South African Rugby Board and the South African Rugby Union to meet the ANC in Harare. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the sports boycott and the formation of a single rugby body. Alfred Nzoand Thabo Mbeki from the ANC meet with the delegation.

November, The South African Soccer Federation sends a delegation to meet with the ANC.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1989

F.W. de Klerk efterfolger Botha som leder af Nationalistpartiet og erstatter ham som præsident efter parlamentsvalg.

1989

Defiance campaign launched by MDM. Broad international recognition of the ANC.

1989

January, A joint delegation of UDF and COSATU goes to Lusaka for further consultations with the ANC.

January, The National Organisation of Women (NOW) meets with the ANC in Lusaka.

February, The NIC and TIC sends another delegation to meet with the ANC

.April, Jenny Boraine leads a delegation for talks in Harare, under the theme ‘Women and the Challenge for Peace’.

June, Neil Barnard requests Wille Esterhuyse a leading Afrikaner academic to meet with Thabo Mbeki in a London pub to organise a direct meeting between the ANC and heads of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

July, A delegation of 115 representatives of theFive Freedoms Forum(FFF) travels to Lusaka for talks with the ANC. The forum was formed in response to the government’s declaration of the state of emergency.

5 July, State President P.W Botha secretly meets with Nelson Mandela at Tuynhuis. At the time, Mandela was still imprisoned at Victor Verster, thus he had to be taken out of prison for the meeting and sent back afterwards. After the meeting, Mandela issued a statement.

21 August, The Harare Declaration, a document outlining a vision to a democratic dispensation and providing a guideline for the process of negotiations, is adopted by the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

September, A secret meeting between ANC and the NIS is held in Switzerland. The country was chosen as a suitable venue because it was considered as a politically neutral place.

15 October, Five ANC political prisoners from the Rivonia Trial are released from prison. These are Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni and Elias Motsoaledi.

9 December, Nelson Mandela meets with leaders of the banned UDF at Victor Vester prison.

December, The Mass Democratic Movement holds a meeting where 4,600 delegates passed a resolution in support of the ANC's Harare Declaration which set out preconditions for negotiations with the South African government.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1989

Mandela meets with P.W. Botha og F.W. de Klerk.

1990

De Klerk promise abolishment of apartheid. Nelson Mandela released from prison. Lifting of national emergency. Unbanning of liberation movements amidst growing national and international pressures on the National Party government. Open dialogue between ANC and NP government starts.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1990

1994

Rolling mass action by the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM). "Negotiation about negotiation" begins. Transition-through-negotiation starts: Logjam and progress. World Trade Centre negotiations. Interim constitution and transitional arrangements implemented. President Mandela ("Madiba") inaugurated.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1990

2 February, F.W De Klerk announces the unbanning of the ANC and other banned liberation movements, and the release of Nelson Mandela.
11 February, Mandela is released unconditionally after 27 years of imprisonment and heads to Cape Town’s Grand Parade. He addresses thousands of people from the balcony of the Cape Town city hall. March, An agreement is reached to begin formal talks on 11 April.27 April, Ruth Mompati, Thabo Mbeki, Joe Slovo, Joe Modiseand Alfred Nzo return to South Africa from exile.2 May, The ANC and the South African government begin a series of talks lasting two days at the Groote Schuur presidential house.4 May, After two days of deliberations, the Groote Schuur Minute is signed and commits both the ANC and the National Party to a negotiated settlement.May, The Indemnity Act 35 of 1990 is passed. This act empowered the president to grant indemnity andtemporary immunity from prosecution. Covered under this part of the Act were benign breaches of the South African law such as membership of a banned organisation, leaving the country illegally, and participation in illegal military training before8 October 1990. Several political prisoners refuse to apply for indemnity under the law arguing this implied guilt on their part.25 June, The European Community (EC) leaders meet at a summit in Dublin and agree not to ease any of the pressure the EC had previously put in place on the apartheid government.July, The police discover Operation Vula, an undercover network for arms-smuggling and guerrilla warfare run by uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.July, The ANC publishes an educational booklet entitled The Road to Peace which evaluates progress in the negotiation process. Amongst some of the questions raised by the document were, “Do all our preconditions need to be met before there can be negotiation'? Must all apartheid laws be scrapped before the democratic forces can negotiate with the forces of apartheid?August, “The Economic Project” is launched. A series of Consultative Business Movement (CBM) workshops are held addressing the nature of the South African economy, national economic priorities and potential policy mechanisms geared towards the creation of an effective political economy.6 August, The government and the ANC meet at the Presidensie in Pretoria for talks that last thirteen hours. After the meeting, a document known as the Pretoria Minute is signed. It was an agreement which committed the parties to the removal and addressing of all obstacles identified by the ANC as obstructing negotiations.August, Members of a joint working group that would consider the question of a cessation of hostilities is announced. The ANC’s team includes Joe Modise, Jacob Zuma, Thabo Mbeki, Pallo Jordan, Joe Nhlanhla and Chris Hard. The government deploys Adriaan Vlok, Roelf Meyer, General B. J. Beukes, Johan Geyser, Dr H. P. Fourie and Maritz Spaar-water.17 August, The government invites the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) to hold talks similar to the Pretoria Minute, but this invitation is rejected by both parties.October, The ANC's NEC meets to discuss escalating political violence between its members and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The meeting resolves to call a meeting with IFP.18 October, President F.W. De Klerk lifts a four year old state of emergency imposed in Natal to curb political violence between the ANC and the IFP.15 October, The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act is repealed.November, Roelf Meyer and Cyril Ramaphosa meet for the first time to discuss the stages through which the transition to democracy would be achieved.1 November, The joint working group agrees that indemnities offered will cover members of all groups, and not just those of the ANC.November, Leader of the IFP Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi meets with Dr Andries Treurnicht, leader of the Conservative Party (CP) to discuss with him the negotiations process.27 November, Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk meet to discuss the issue of mass action and the government’s view that this was an impediment to the negotiation process.13 December, Oliver Tambo President of the ANC returns to South Africa after 30 years in exile.14-16 December, The ANC holds a National Consultative Conference instead of a National Conference at NASREC in Johannesburg with 1 600 delegates from ANC branches countrywide, the South African Communist Party(SACP), UDF and Cosatu. 8 December, As part of removing more obstacles to the negotiation process, the government gazettes legislation allowing for the return of exiles to South Africa.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1990

11 February Mandela released from prison.

1991

Forste møder i CODESA i Kemton Park. Mange regner apartheid som ophort fra dette år.

1991

Annulering af Group Areas Act, Land Act, Population Registratuíon Act m.fl.

1991

12 February, The D.F. Malan Accord is adopted in which the ANC undertakes to suspend all armed action. This is further defined to mean that there will be no armed attacks, or threats of attacks, infiltration of personnel and material, creation of underground structures, statements inciting violence and training inside South Africa.

April, The ANC publishes a document for discussion en-titled "Structures and Principles of a constitution for a democratic South Africa.”April, The ANC and PAC representatives meet in Harare to discuss the Patriotic Conference scheduled to be held later in the year.24 April, Further regulations of the Indemnity Act are passed and its provisions are extended to cover offences like participation in illegal gatherings, trespassing, public violence, malicious damage, intimidation, possession of arms, ammunition and explosives and high treason. Those who qualified under these provisions had to apply for within a specified period. As a result, 14002 were received by the Office for Indemnity, Immunity and Release.30 April, An estimated 933 political prisoners from various liberation movements have been realised from prison.May, The last political prisoners from across political organisations are released from Robben Island prison.9 May, The ANC issues a seven-point ultimatum to the government where, among other things, the party demands the dismissal of Ministers Adriaan Vlok and Magnus Malan.23 May, Nelson Mandela leads an ANC Delegation of 40 people in meeting with about 350 delegates of the business community.June, The Inkathagate Scandal and revelations about South African Defence Forces (SADF) involvement in death squads and the ongoing violence emerge. In response the ANC suspends all bilateral meetings with the regime.June, A multi-party workshop on development facilitated by CBM is held with 250 representatives from various political and community formations.July, An ANC National Executive Committee meeting demands the installation of an Interim Government. The ANC’s National Working Committee is instructed to begin laying the ground for convening an All Party Congress.July, The ANC holds its 48th National Conference in Durban, the first inside South Africa in 31 years. It is attended by more than 2 300 delegates who elect a new National Executive Committee with 50 elected members and 32 ex officio members.14 September, The National Peace Accord (NPA) is signed by leaders of various political organisations to bring an end to the violence. This is the first multi-party agreement.October, The ANC initiates bilateral discussions with, inter alia, the NP, the Labour Party, the IFP, parties operating in the homelands and the governments of Venda and the Transkei.October, The Goldstone Commission is established to investigate alleged police complicity in the ongoing political violence. 17 October, Bilateral meetings take place between the ANC and NP government. Other meetings are held on 24 and 31 October.25-27 October, The Patriotic Front (PF), a loose alliance of parties holding an anti-apartheid position, is launched. Amongst parties and organisations in attendance include, the PAC, ANC, COSATU and 92 other organisations. The PF Conference agrees on a joint programme for the negotiated transfer of power.2-12 November, The ANC prepares for the first All Party Congress and consults with the PAC, AZAPO, the Democratic Party (DP), homeland leaders, Mass Democratic Movement organisations, religious leaders and the NP government.13 November, The first meeting of Convention for Democratic South Africa (CODESA) is held in Johannesburg at a Holiday Inn near the airport. The meeting was aimed at discussing and deciding on the rules which would govern the multi-party negotiating process.29-30 November, The All Party Preparatory Meeting takes place, with twenty organisations and parties attending. It is decided that the name of the All Party Convention be called the Convention for Democratic South Africa (CODESA).17 December, Gora Ebrahim, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)’s external affairs secretary announces that the party is boycotting the upcoming convention. 20-21 December, 30 delegations and 300 delegates representing various sections of South African society converge at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park in Johannesburg. At the end of the meeting, a Declaration of Intent is signed by 18 signatories.

Ref. SAHO timeline.

1991

Mandela elected president of the ANC.

1992

Folkeafstemning blandt de hvide stotter codesa-processen. Forhandlingsafbrud efter massakrer. Stigende vold mellem Inkatha og ANC i Natal.

1992

20 January, Working groups tasked in dealing with various aspects of the transition such as free political participation, Bantustans, forms of an interim government among others, begin working.

15 May, CODESA II resumes negotiations.

17 June, An estimated 300 armed residents aligned to the IFP at Kwamadala Hostel shoot and hack 46 people to death in Boipatong Township in what became known as the Boipatong Massacre.

21 June, The ANC President Nelson Mandela announces that the ANC is suspending all talks with the Government and withdrawing from CODESA in response to the Boipatong Massacre.

24 June, the ANC National Executive Committee holds an emergency meeting where a statement on why the party was suspending negotiations is issued.

2 July, De Klerk denies that the South African government was involved in perpetrating violence.

4 July, Mandela writes to De Klerk, stating, “Our fundamental position in this regard is that we cannot accept an undemocratic constitution aimed at addressing the fears of a minority party about its own future at the cost of democracy.

”2 August, The United Nations (UN) debates the tide of rising political violence in South Africa.

August, The ANC, SACP and COSATU join forces to organise a massive campaign of mass action against the government involving rallies and a two day general strike.

7 September, A group of 80 000 ANC supporters led by among others Chris Hani, Cyril Ramaphosa, Steve Tshwete and Ronnie Kasrils gather outside Bisho calling for an end to the military rule Brigadier Joshua ‘Oupa’ Gqozo and the incorporation of Ciskei into South Africa. Whenmarchers attempt to cross Ciskei Defence Force lines from Transkei to enter Bisho soldiers open fire killing 28 activists and injuring 200 others. This incident became known as the Bisho Massacre.

26 September, The Record of Understanding(ROU) is signed between ANC and the South African government where the two delegations agree to resume talks.

October, The Concerned South Africans Group (COSAG) group holds its first meeting. The group was an alliance of various political formations of the homeland, rightwing Afrikanner groups, and civic organisations who shared the organisation’s goals. Among these were the Afrikanner Volksuine (AVU), Conservative Party, African Democratic Movement (ADP), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), KaNgwane Insika Party, KwaNdebele Sindawonye Party (SP), Natal Reform Party (NRP), Save South Africa, Transvaal Hostel Resident Association, Afrikanner Vryheid Stigting and National Party (NP).

29 October, The National Economic Forum (NEF) is formally launched. The NEF aimed at dealing with problems of economic growth and social equity by developing common positions between the government, trade unions and employers.

23 November, The ANC’s NEC adopts a document entitled ‘Strategic Perspectives’ which outlines steps towards majority rule.

Ref. SAHO timeline

1992

Mandela divorsed from Winnie.

1993

Demokratiforhandlinger forer til aftale om frie valg og overgangsstyre. Enighed mellem regeringen og ANC i februar om magtdeling.

1993

Parlamentets vedtagelse af delvis magtdeling under overgangsstyre

1993

The CBM facilitates the formation of a Business Election Fund as a vehicle to mobilise businesses to support a free and fair election.

January, The ANC and the South African government agree to resume multiparty talks but both parties want input in the creation of a new negotiation forum

4-5 March, A planning conference for Multi-Party Talks is held at the World Trade Centre.

23 March, The government disbands the 32 Battalion after it is implicated by the Goldstone Commission and the public in political violence.

1 April, The Multi-party Negotiating Process (MPNP) opens at the World Trade Centre. It is attended by 26 participating parties comprising political groupings, national and homeland government representatives and traditional leaders.

26 April, The first Planning Committee of the Multi party negotiating process meets and compiles reports reviewing CODESA.

30 April, A Technical Committee is formed to consider proposals of the Planning Committee on issues of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), legislation that promotes racial discrimination, political violence and media.

June, The Negotiating Council agrees to set a date for t election date for 27 April 1994.

15 June, The Concerned South AfricansGroup (COSAG) group walkout of the negotiations in protest claiming their submissions were ignored. The remaining negotiating parties agree on a date for the first democratic elections.

25 June, Several paramilitary members of the white right wing group the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (Afrikaner Resistance Movement - AWB) storm the negotiating chambers at the World Trade Centre in armoured vehicle and manhandle delegates.

23 September, Four bills aimed at facilitating the process of transition are tabled in parliament for approval. These are the Transitional Executive Council Act, Independent Broadcasting Authority Act, Independent Electoral Commission Act and the Independent Media Commission Act.

24 September, Mandela calls for the lifting of all economic sanctions against South Africa imposed by the United Nations (UN) over the years.

8 October, The UN adopts a resolution to lift all economic sanctions imposed on South Africa.

October, The government gazettes the Transitional Executive Council Act, which will see the establishment of the Transitional Executive Council (TEC). 16 November, Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer meet with Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk in bilateral meeting to report back to their principals the resolutions of outstanding issues.

7 December, The TEC holds its inaugural meeting in Cape Town at Presidential Council room to begin overseeing the process of transition.

9 December, Economic sanctions imposed on South Africa are formally lifted.

18 December, Delegates in the Multi-Party NegotiatingForum (MPNF) finally agree on the Interim Constitution and sign the document binding themselves to a new constitutional and political dispensation.

22 December, The White parliament sits for last time and votes 237 to 45 to adopt the Interim Constitution

Ref. SAHO timeline

1993

Mandela receives the Nobel peace prize with de Klerk.

1994

Det ny parlament valgt ved de første frie, almindelige valg. Forste frie valg for alle sydafrikanere. 26-28/4-94. Parlamentet vælger Mandela til Præsident. RDP-planen fremfores. De såkaldte selvsændige hjemlande genintegreres i Sydafrika.

1994

National Education Policy Act (No. 27 of 1996).

1994

28 March, ANC security guards at Shell House shoot and kill nineteen IFP marchers who were reportedly planning to attack the building.

30 March, The Independent Broadcasting Authority is established.

27 April, The first non racial democratic elections are held in South Africa with people casting their votes regardless of their race. An estimated 19.7 million voted in the 1994 national election. The election was won by the ANC with 62.65 % of the vote. The National Party (NP) received 20.39 %, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) 10.54 %, Freedom Front (FF) 2.2 %, Democratic Party (DP) 1.7 %, Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) 1.2 % and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) 0.5 %.

27 April, The Interim Constitution of the Republic of South Africa becomes the country’s first constitution after Apartheid.

10 May, Mandela is sworn in as the country’s democratically elected first black president.

11 May, State President Nelson Mandela announces his first cabinet. The ANC is allocated seventeen cabinet portfolios, while the NP is allocated six and the IFP three.

24 May, South Africa’s first democratic and representative parliament opens and President Nelson Mandela addresses the house.

23 June, The Item on Apartheid is removed from the United Nations (UN) agenda of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

3 October, Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, addresses the UN General Assembly.

November, The ‘Concert for a New South Africa’ by Whitney Houston is held in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Later, proceeds from the concerts were donated to various charities, the President's Trust Fund and the Kagiso Foundation.

Ref. SAHO timeline

1994

Mandela becomes the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

1995

IFP trækker sig fra grundlovsforhandlinger i april.

1996

National Assembly adopts Act No 108 of 1996 and the Bill of Rights passed. Democratic Constitution passed in Parliament. South Africa now a constitutional state.
Thruth Commission begin its work.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1996

Labour Relations Act (LRA)

1996

South African Schools Act.

1997

De Klerk resigns as leader of the NP. Thabo Mbeki, already vice-president replaces Mandela as leader of the ANC

1997

Higher Education Act.

1998

Truth Commission officially end its work. Several parts of the process continues with reports following years later.

1998

1999

ANC increases support in parliament elections (66% in votes, just some seats short of 66% in Parliament after 1999 elections). Madiba retires. Thabo Mbeki president.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1998

The Presidential Jobs Summit try to compensate for GEAR’s lacking results.

1998

Mandela marries Graca Machel, widow after Mozambique’s president Samora Machel.

1999

Progress with the implementation of the constitution. First Report on progress published by the Technical Committee of Parliament.
The Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) jettisoned in favour of macro-economic adjustment programme (GEAR); African Renaissance discourse revitalised under leadership of Pres. Mbeki. The Parliamentary opposition refers to untenable crime situation in South Africa.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

1999

Handels- Samarbejds- og Udviklingsaftalen med EU undertegnes.

1999

Mandela retires after one period as president.

2000

Contending visions of democracy debated. Looming Government and organised labour split in South Africa. Privatisation to be sped up. The governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Tito Mboweni, warns that confidence and perceptions in SA economy is important and urge politicians to avoid statements that are damaging to the economy. Government especially criticized by workers organizations and the left.
The "Racism in the Media Report" appears amidst controversy. Newspapers (critical of government policy) are branded as racist and subversive towards democracy. In September 2000 the Rand dropped to an unprecedented low against the American Dollar.
First anti-globalisation demonstrations taking place in some city centers in South Africa.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

2002

Persistent objections against the ANC-governments neo-liberal macro-economic policy.
Further speculation on ANC/SACP/Cosatu split.
Controversial arms deals criticised.

Ref. Liebenbergs list.

2003

Growth and Development Summit (GDS) in
June 2003 brought sectors together.

2004

Peaceful third democratic elections, in April.Thabo Mbeki was appointed to a second term of office as President.

2004

Mandela announces his withdrawal from politics.

2006

Local government elections in 2006, following
a long period of civic unrest as communities protested
against a mixed record of service delivery,
saw increased participation compared with the
previous local elections, as well as increased support
for the ruling party based on a manifesto for a
concerted effort, in partnership with communities,
to make local government work better.

2007

Several black leaders close to the ANC government become wealthy via black empowerment redistribution, called BEE

2008

Thabo Mbeki was relinquished in
September 2008, following the decision of the National Executive Committee of the ANC to recall him. Parliament elected Kgalema Motlanthe as President of South Africa on 25 September 2008.

2009

South Africa held national and provincial elections
to elect a new National Assembly as well
as the provincial legislature in each province on
22 April 2009. Some 23 million people were registered
for the 2009 general election, which were
about 2,5 million more than in 2004. About 77%
of registered voters took part in the election. The
results for the top five parties were as follows: the
ANC achieved 65,9%; the DA 16,6%; the newly
formed Congress of the People (COPE) 7,4%; the
IFP 4,5%; and the Independent Democrats 0,9%
of the votes cast.
Jacob Zuma was inaugurated as President of
South Africa on 9 May 2009

2009

2010

More focus on service delivery.
Ministry for Performance
Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration
and the National Planning Ministry, in keeping
with the new administration’s approach to intensify
government delivery through an outcomes-based
approach, coupled with a government-wide monitoring
and evaluation (M&E) system.

2009

Mandela holds his last public political recorded speech.

2010

FIFA World Cup™ was held in South Africa and many resources was used for this purpose.

2010

Mandela shows up unexpected at football World Cup.

2011

Protection of Information Bill introduced

2011

2011 local government elections, held in
May, were characterised by lively and respectful
campaigning with all political parties free to
engage with voters in all areas. The Independent
Electoral Commission highlighted decreased
voter apathy and achieved an impressive 57,6%
registered voter turn-out – an improvement from
the previous local government elections, which
scored below the 50% mark. The ANC won the
highest number of seats and councils – 198
councils and 5 633 seats, constituting 62% of
the vote.

2011

National Development Plan Vision for 2030.

2012

8 January ANC celebrates 100 years.

2012

The most serious labour-related violence since apartheid's end in 1994.
In the worst incident, police shot dead 34 striking miners at platinum miner Lonmin's Marikana complex.

2013

Department of Arts and Culture White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage

The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) is taking comments on the revised draft White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage. While we compliment the DAC on this initiative, in our comments to the DAC we note our concern that this important policy document offers a very narrow reading of the role and significance of archives: it fails to address the vital role of archives in a democratc society; it loses sight of the role of archves in reimagining the past; and it does not address the critical role that archives play in building social cohesion.

2013

Protection of State Information Bill

The much debated Protection of State Information Bill has been submitted to President Zuma who may choose to sign it into law, refer it back to Parliament to be reworked or call on the Constitutional Court for an opinion.

2013

5 December 2013: Mandela died 95 years old.