1900s

1900: 7 May, Paul Kruger addresses the volksraad for the last time before being forced to travel on the Delagoa line to Machadodorp, where he lives on his train carriage.; 11 September, Accompanied by his private secretary, Paul Kruger crosses the Komatipoort border .; 19 October, Paul Kruger goes on board the Dutch cruiser, De Gelderland, that is diverted from sea by Queen Wilhelmina of Holland.; 22 November, Paul Kruger reaches Marseilles and embarks on a voyage to create enthusiasm for the Boer cause, with some success. However, not one government does anything concrete for the Boers.
1901: July, Paul Kruger's wife, Gezina Susanna Frederika Wilhelmina, dies in Pretoria.
1902: An archives branch of the Department of the Colonial Secretary is established with the purpose of taking intellectual and physical control of the archival records of the former Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.; May, A peace treaty is signed. Paul Kruger moves to Mentone, on the French Riviera.
1903: Fietas, Johannesburg: 5 stands are transferred to Indians.; October, Paul Kruger moves to warmer climate of Mentone.
1904: Fietas, Johannesburg: The ‘Coolie Location' is struck by bubonic plague.; 20 March, Fietas, Johannesburg: The mixed population is evacuated and the area burned to the ground.; 24 May, Paul Kruger establishes himself in a villa at Clarens on lake Geneva.; July, Fietas, Johannesburg: Most of the evacuees start moving back into the urban centre, mostly into the ‘Malay Location', one of the view areas for legal ‘non-white' occupation.; 14 July, Paul Kruger dies from cardiac failure, after a period of illness. He is buried next to his wife, Gezina Susanna Frederika Wilhelmina, in Pretoria.
1904 - 1907: Fietas, Johannesburg: 48 stands are transferred to Indians.
1904 - 1934: Fietas, Johannesburg: Indians increasingly become stand-holders.
1909: 5 September, Fietas, Johannesburg: Dr Yusuf Dadoo is born.
1910: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Public Servants Superannuating Act and Teachers Pensions Act.; This furthers discrimination against Indians.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Immigrants Regulation Act of the Union of South Africa.; The Immigrants Regulation Act of the Union of South Africa consolidates existing Immigration laws of the pre-Union colonies and excludes immigration of all persons to the Union considered unsuitable on economic grounds or on account of standard or habits of life. The Act as amended in 1913 and 1937 excludes all Immigration of Asians to South Africa, except that of wives and minor children of those already domiciled in the country.
1910: Public Servants Superannuating Act and Teachers Pensions Act. Discrimination against Indians.; South Africa Act, 1909 (Sections 26, 35, 44, 147 and 151) leaves anti-Indian and other discriminatory legislation against black groups intact.; The Immigrants Regulation Act of 1910 consolidates existing immigration laws of the pre-Union colonies and excludes immigration of all persons to the Union considered unsuitable on economic grounds or on account of standard or habits of life. The Act, as amended in 1913 and 1937, prohibits all immigration of Asians to South Africa, except that of wives and minor children of those already domiciled in the country.; Hermann Kallenbach gives Tolstoy Farm at Lawley for use of satyagrahi families.; 26 February, Mahatma Gandhi supports the African Peoples Organisations resolution to declare the day of arrival of the Prince of Wales in South Africa as a day of mourning in protest against the South Africa Acts disenfranchisement of Indians, Coloureds and Africans in the upcoming Union of South Africa.; 31 May, Dr. Walter Rubusana (African) and Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman (Coloured) elected to Cape Provincial Council.
1911: Mines and Works Act (established `Color Bar' in employment).
Universal Races Congress in London (John Tengo Jabavu and Walter Rubusana present).; Mines and Works Act No 12:; Permitted the granting of certificates of competency for a number of skilled mining occupations to whites and coloureds only.; Repealed by s 20 of the Mines and Works Amendment Act No 27 of 1956; Albert Luthuli starts his education at the Groutville School; 3 January, The Government of India announces in the Viceroy's Council that emigration to Natal is prohibited with effect from 1 July.; 13 March, The Colonial-Born and Settlers Indian Association is formed at a meeting in Durban and has at its aim to fight the infamous 3 poll tax. R.N. Moodley of Pietermaritzburg is the chairman of the meeting and among those present are Lutchman Panday, A. Christopher, S.K. Pather, K.R. Nayanah and H.S.L. Polak.; 27 April, Indian passive resistance is suspended when Genl. J.C. Smuts enters into negotiations with Mahatma Gandhi.; 24 October, Pixley ka I. Seme proposed "Native Union"
1912: Start of the publication of Abantu-Batho (The People), newspaper of the South African Native National Congress.; Afrikaaner Nationalist Party formed by General Hertzog - pledged to achieve republican independence for South Africa and a return to doctrines of apartheid.; 8 January, Chiefs, representatives of people's and church organisations, and other prominent individuals gathered in Bloemfontein and formed the African National Congress (then South African Native National Convention-SANNC). The ANC declared its aim to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms.; April, South African Races Congress formed under leadership of John Tengo Jabavu.; 18 May, Sisulu: Walter Ulyate Max Sisulu is born in Engcobo District in the Transkei; 14 October, Gopal Krishna Gokhale meets Prime Minister, General Louis Botha; General J. C. Smuts (then Minister of Finance, Defence and Mines) and Abraham Fischer (Minister of the Interior.) Gokhale negotiates with the Union Government on behalf of South African Indians and obtains promises that are not kept.; 22 October, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, at invitation of Gandhi, arrives in South Africa on a 26-day tour. He also visits Tolstoy Farm.; December, General J.B.M. Hertzog leaves Botha's cabinet.
1912 -1934: 112 stands are transferred to Indians. By 1934 the racial character of Pageview had changed a great deal by becoming racially mixed as a result of the unavailability of other legal, urban, ‘non-white' living areas.
1913: The Native Land Act formally divides land between black and white people.African women resist the imposition of residential passes, organising a passive resistance campaign that left many women jailed.; African miners strike at Jagersfontein Diamond mine after one of their fellow-workers is kicked to death by a white overseer. White employees suppress the strike. 11 African mineworkers killed and 37 injured.; African women resist the imposition of residential passes by the OFS municipality, organising passive resistance and thereby forcing the municipality to rescind its measure. Many women jailed.; The Land Act sets up the 'reserves' (later called 'bantustans' and 'homelands') and effectively zones Africans to 13% of the total land area of South Africa (though they form 80% of the population). They are prevented from buying land outside these areas. Property sizes inside the reserves are also restricted. As a result of this Act, the majority of Africans could no longer live as subsistence farmers. There was not enough land for everyone. Africans were forced to work for wages on white farms or in the mines or factories. A basic level of education assisted this employment. The South African Native National Congress (later the ANC) is formed to protest against this Act. (Many of its early members were mission school graduates.; January, Tolstoy Farm is closed.; 14 March, In a judgement of the Cape Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Searle declares that marriages not celebrated according to Christian rites and/or not registered by the Registrar of Marriages, are invalid. All Moslem and Hindu marriages concluded according to traditional rites are therefore declared invalid.; June, Natives Land Act :Emergency meeting of the South African Native National Congress Executive Committee to discuss Natives' Land Act.; June, Anti-Indian Legislation: Immigrants Regulation Act (No 22 of 1913) Persons not literate in a European language and undesirables, i.e. on economic grounds or on account of standards or habits of life, could be excluded from country. Minister of Interior classifies all Asiatic persons undesirable. Indian immigration stopped.; June, The Immigrants Regulation Amendment Act, Act No. 22 of 1913, persons not literate in a European language and so-called undesirables (persons deemed undesirable on economic grounds or on account of standards or habits of life) could be excluded from country. The Minister of the Interior classifies all Asiatic persons undesirable and Indian immigration is halted indefinitely.; 19 June, Black Land Act No 27: Prohibited blacks from owning or renting land outside designated reserves (approximately 7 per cent of land in the country). Commenced: 19 June 1913. Repealed by s 1 of the Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act No 108 of 1991.; 19 June, The Land Act, Act No 27, is passed. The Act confines Africans to hopelessly overcrowded reserves and deprives them of rights to purchase land outside the native reserves; July, White miners' general strike on the Witwatersrand.; September - November, Indian 'general strike' and passive resistance; 22 September, The first batch of Indian passive resisters, consisting of 12 men and 4 women (including Mrs. Kasturba Gandhi) are arrested at Volksrust and imprisoned in Pietermaritzburg.; 23 September, Women protests take place in the Free State, led by Charlotte Maxeke resisting government attempts to impose passes on women. Passes are burnt in front of the municipal offices.; 19 October, At a meeting of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in Durban, NIC secretaries, M. C. Anglia and Dada Osman, severely criticise Mahatma Gandhi and tender their resignations. However, their resignations are not accepted and the meeting withdraws the NICs support of the passive resistance campaign. In reaction, Gandhi and his supporters withdraw from the meeting and form a new body, the Natal Indian Association (NIA), at Parsee Rustomjees house. The NIC would become defunct until its resuscitation in 1920.; 21 October, Transvaal women satyagrahis begin defiance activities, hawking without licenses in Vereeniging. They are not arrested. They cross the Natal border and encourage the miners in Newcastle to strike. Phoenix satyagrahis, including five women who cross the Natal Transvaal border, are arrested and sent to prison in Pietermaritzburg.; 28 October, Albert Christopher, Ruben Joseph and three other Colonial-born Indians leave Durban to assist in the strike area.; November, Lord Hardinge delivers a speech in Madras, India, in which he expresses sympathy with the Indian passive resistance struggle in South Africa.; 6 November, Great March led by MK Gandhi includes 127 women, 57 children and 2037 men; 18 December, The Indian Inquiry Commission, also known as the Solomon Commission, commences its sittings in Pretoria.
1914: An ANC delegation visits Britain to protest the Land Act.; Having completed Standard Four, Albert Luthuli continues his education at Ohlange Institute – a boarding school – under Dr. John Dube, the founding President of the South African Native National Council; After only two terms at Ohlange, Albert Luthuli passes the end of year examinations and is transferred to a Methodist Institution at Edendale, near Pietermaritzburg; January, General Strike of white workers called on the Witwatersrand. Martial law declared and strike leaders deported by General Smuts.; Nationalist Party formed under leadership of General Hertzog.; Riotous Assemblies and Criminal Law Amendment Act (directed against militant white trade unions).; Delegation of South African Native National Congress travels to Great Britain to protest Natives' Land Act.; Solomon Plaatje remains in England when other Congress delegates return.; 14 January, The Gandhi-Smuts Agreement is reached between Gen. J.C. Smuts and Mahatma Gandhi.; 20 January, The first group of Transvaal Indian women satyagrahis are released from Pietermaritzburg Prison after three months imprisonment. Among them is Valliamma Moonsamy Moodaliar.; 27 January, A petition is written and submitted by the black and coloured women of the Orange Free State (OFS) against the carrying of passes by women.; 10 February - 11 February, In accordance with the understanding reached by General J.C. Smuts and Mahatma Gandhi on 14 January 1914, 60 passive resistance prisoners are released from the Pietermaritzburg Prison. In addition, 40 passive resisters are released in Durban, 8 in Newcastle and 11 in Port Elizabeth.; 22 February, Sixteen-year-old Valliamma Mudaliar dies of a fever contracted in prison.; 26 June, Anti-Indian Legislation: Indian Relief Act passed after a protracted period of Passive Resistance led by Gandhi, following the report of the Solomon Commission. The Act abolished the 3 Poll tax, recognized marriages contracted in terms of traditional Hindu and Muslim rites, and facilitated the entry of wives into Union, but Indians still not allowed to own property in the two former republics (Transvaal & Orange Free State). Indians are not allowed to live in Orange Free State. Indian children of parents living in South Africa are allowed to immigrate. Restrictions on trading not removed and Indians remain disenfranchised.; 26 June, After a protracted passive resistance campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian Relief Act is passed following the report of the Solomon Commission. The Act abolishes the 3 poll tax, recognises marriages contracted in terms of traditional Indian (Muslim or Hindu) rites, and facilitates the entry into the Union of the wives of Indians already domiciled locally. However, Indians remain disenfranchised and are still not allowed to own property in the two former Boer Republics (Transvaal and the Orange Free State), or to live in the Orange Free State. Furthermore, restrictions on Indian trading remain in force.; 18 July, Mahatma Gandhi leaves South Africa for London.; August, World War I begins.; Revolt by anti-war Afrikaner nationalists.; John Tengo Jabavu opposes Walter Rubusana in Cape Provincial elections.; 4 August, Britain, and automatically South Africa as part of the British Empire, declares war against Germany and so enters into the First World War. Mahatma Gandhi arrives in London; The “anti-war” internationalist section in an effort to stand for all South Africans without any colour distinctions, founds the International Socialist League (ISL).
1915: The foundation of the International Socialist League, by the 'anti-war' internationalist section who broke away from the white Labour Party. It stood for full rights for all and socialism, embracing all South Africans without distinction of colour or class.; 21 December, 2,800 African miners strike at the Van Rhyn Deep mines in a bid to redress some of their grievances.
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.; Dedication of the South African Native College at Fort Hare. Report of the Native Lands (Beaumont) Commission.; Solomon Plaatje's Native Life in South Africa published.; The Durban & District Native Football Association is established.; October, At a meeting in Pietersburg, the ANC describes the report of the Beaumont commission as unsatisfactory.
1917: Industrial Workers of Africa founded by the International Socialist League.; The Natives Administration Bill; The `Industrial Workers of Africa' founded by the ISL in Johannesburg, the first industrial African trade union to be formed.; South African Native National Congress Executive Committee splits, with John Dube accepting theory of territorial segregation. Samuel Makgatho assumes office as president.; Albert Luthuli completes a teacher's training course at Edendale and becomes principal and sole staff member of a tiny intermediate school in Blaauwbosch, Natal; The Indian Printers Union and the Indian Workers Union (IWU) formed. The Union's respective secretaries are colonial born Indians, M.K. Moodley and Rev B.L.E. Sigamoney.; 16 February, A.H. West and others advise indentured workers in Natal not to re-indenture but to become free men.; March, The Imperial War Conference, attended by representatives of Britain and the British Dominions, commences in London. India's attendance at the Conference raises the hope of Indians in the colonies that they now have some leverage to effect changes for equal treatment.; March, Gordon Lee of the Industrial Socialist League (ISL) forms the Durban Workers Industrial Union. The Union enrols Indian members representing printing, tobacco, laundry, dock and municipal workers, miners, sugar slaves.; 27 April, Sir Satyendra P. Sinha of India submits the so-called Reciprocity Resolution to the Imperial War Conference in London. The Conference unanimously accepts the principle of reciprocity between India and the Dominions. Sir Sinha's memorandum also includes grievances of South African Indians in connection with trading licences, the franchise, ownership of land and railway regulations.
1918: Women's anti-pass campaign led by the Bantu Women's League of South Africa, the then women's branch of the ANC.; Anti-pass campaign by women ends in triumph. It was led by the then Bantu Women's League of South Africa - the Women's Branch of the ANC, formed by Charlotte Maxeke.; The formation of the Bantu Women's League of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC)as a result of protests that occur in the Free State.; A delegation is sent to Prime Minister Louis Botha to discuss the issue of Passes for black women.; Rev. B.L.E. Sigamoney takes over the leadership of the Indian Worker's Union (IWU) from Gordon Lee and represents the Union at the Industrial Socialist League's annual conference.; Rev. B.L.E. Sigamoney takes over the leadership of the Indian Worker's Union (IWU) from Gordon Lee and represents the Union at the Industrial Socialist League's annual conference.; May, Bucket strike by African sanitary workers, 152 of which were sentenced to two months imprisonment for breach of contract, under the Masters and Servants Act.; 21 May, In a letter to the Indian Opinion, the Cape British Indian Council calls for a national conference of Indian organisations.; June, Strike of African sanitation workers in Johannesburg.; Formal Status Quo Agreement between Chamber of Mines and white trade unions.; 20 October, A.M. Cachalia dies and is succeeded by Ebrahim I. Asvat as elected Chairman of the Transvaal British Indian Association.; 11 November, An armistice between the Allied and the Central Powers brings the First World War to an end.
1919: ANC delegation visits Britain to protest the Land Act for the second time.; The ANC in Transvaal led a campaign against the passes.; The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) - a general union formed.; A protest is held in the OFS against the carrying of passes by women.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Under Companies Act of 1909, Asiatics could purchase land from whites if they formed a company.; The Companies Act of 1909 is reneged in Krugersdorp:
i) Krugersdorp Municipal Council vs Dadoo Limited and Others transaction in which Company of Asiatics purchase land from white owner declared invalid
ii) Krugersdorp Municipal Council obtains interdict restraining a European firm, Messrs TW Beckett and Company from permitting residence of Indians on a Krugersdorp stand leased by the firm to
an Indian tailor.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Asiatics (Land and Trading) Amendment Act (Transvaal), 37/1919.; Asiatics with rights to trade on property outside designated Asiatic Bazaars allowed to continue. New licences stopped. Asiatics can no longer acquire land through companies. Still able to acquire land through nominees. Register to be compiled of existing licences and businesses owned by Indians.
The Act is promulgated on 3 August.; The South African Native National Council organises an anti-pass campaign. In Johannesburg alone, 700 arrests are made; Reneging on the Companies Act of 1909, the Krugersdorp Municipal Council declares a transaction through which an Indian-owned company, Dadoo Limited, purchased land from a White owner, invalid. In addition, the Municipal Council obtains a court interdict restraining a European firm, Messrs TW Beckett and Company, from leasing a Krugersdorp stand to an Indian tailor. In reaction to these incidents, the Transvaal British Indian Association draws up a petition that directly leads to the establishment of a Select Committee of the House of Assembly to look into the acquisition of property in Transvaal by Indians through mortgages and shareholding in private companies.; Formation of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of Africa (ICU).; January, Industrial and Commercial Union formed in Cape Town under leadership of Clements Kadalie.; Demonstrations in Bloemfontein location.; 7 January, Founding of the Industrial and Commercial Workers` Union of South Africa. Leader: Clements Kadalie.; ANC organises a campaign on the Rand against the pass laws.; 70,000 African miners strike against their whole status and pig-level existence. It is highly disciplined and organised and an alarmed government throws police cordons around each of the compounds, preventing coordination of demands and actions. Troops break through the workers` barricades, with bayonets fixed, killing 3 and wounding 40. Police and armed white civilians attack a meeting of solidarity with the striking miners, killing 8 and wounding 80.; 20 January, The Cape British Indian Council invites Indian organisations to a South African Indian Conference.; 26 January - 30 January, The first South African Indian Conference, convened by the Cape British Indian Council, is held in Cape Town. John X. Merriman, the former Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, opens the Conference. The Conference appoints a committee of 12 members to frame the constitution of an organisation to unite all South African Indians. In addition, the conference resolves to agitate for full civil rights and to resort to civil resistance until those rights are granted.; 19 February, The first Pan African Congress is held in Paris, France and is headed by William Edward Durghardt Du Bois. A firm supporter of the Back to Africa movement in the United States of America, Marcus Garvey founds the African Communities League and the Black Star Line (part of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)), with the intention of bringing home the African Americans.; March, Selby Msimang arrested.; March - April, Anti-pass demonstrations on the Witwatersrand led by the South African Native National Congress.; Constitution of the South African Native National Congress approved.
Bantu Union formed in Queenstown under leadership of Meshach Pelem.; Delegation of South African Native National Congress travels to Great Britain and Europe to present African case at Versailles Peace Conference.; 1 May, A Select Committee is established by the House of Assembly to look into the acquisition of property in Transvaal by Indians through mortgages and shareholding in private companies. Following the recommendations of Select Committee, the Asiatics (Land and Trading) (Transvaal) Amendment Act, Act No. 37 of 1919 is proclaimed. Asiatics with rights to trade on property outside designated Asiatic Bazaars are allowed to continue to do so, but a register would be compiled of existing licences and businesses owned by Indians and no new licences would be issued. Asiatics can also no longer acquire land through companies, but will still be able to acquire land through nominees.; 12 May, The Transvaal British Indian Association calls a mass meeting to organise opposition to the proposed Asiatics (Land and Trading) (Transvaal) Amendment Act. In terms of the Act, Transvaal Indians are prohibited from owning shares in limited companies.; A number of Indian leaders in the Transvaal sign a covenant pledging civil resistance. The signatories include the following officers of the Transvaal British Indian Association: E. I. Asvat, Chairman; N. A. Camay, Vice-Chairman; P.K. Naidoo and B. K. Patel, Joint Secretaries.; The Transvaal Emergency Conference Committee is formed with E.I. Patel as Chairman and N.A. Camay and P.K. Naidoo as joint-secretaries. The Committee calls for a South African National Indian Emergency Conference.; 3 August, The Asiatics Land and Trading (Transvaal) Amendment Act, Act No. 37 of 1919, is promulgated.; 3 August - 6 August, The second South African Indian Conference is convened in Johannesburg by the Transvaal Emergency Conference Committee with the aim to create a national body to deal with threats to the rights of Indians. However, internal dissensions defeat the aims of the conveners of the Conference.; 4 September - 5 September, The Anti-Asiatic League holds a congress in Pretoria with L.J. Philips, an attorney from Krugersdorp, as Chairman. The congress sets up the South African League under the leadership of Abe Bailey. The aims of the League are the expropriation of all immovable property held by Asiatics, as well as the removal of Asiatics that are residing and trading in the Transvaal.; October, Dock strike by African and Coloured dockworkers in Cape Town led by the Industrial and Commercial Union under Clements Kadalie.

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1910s

1910: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Public Servants Superannuating Act and Teachers Pensions Act.; This furthers discrimination against Indians.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Immigrants Regulation Act of the Union of South Africa; The Immigrants Regulation Act of the Union of South Africa consolidates existing Immigration laws of the pre-Union colonies and excludes immigration of all persons to the Union considered unsuitable on economic grounds or on account of standard or habits of life. The Act as amended in 1913 and 1937 excludes all Immigration of Asians to South Africa, except that of wives and minor children of those already domiciled in the country.
1910: Public Servants Superannuating Act and Teachers Pensions Act. Discrimination against Indians.; South Africa Act, 1909 (Sections 26, 35, 44, 147 and 151) leaves anti-Indian and other discriminatory legislation against black groups intact.; The Immigrants Regulation Act of 1910 consolidates existing immigration laws of the pre-Union colonies and excludes immigration of all persons to the Union considered unsuitable on economic grounds or on account of standard or habits of life. The Act, as amended in 1913 and 1937, prohibits all immigration of Asians to South Africa, except that of wives and minor children of those already domiciled in the country.; Hermann Kallenbach gives Tolstoy Farm at Lawley for use of satyagrahi families.
1910: 26 February, Mahatma Gandhi supports the African Peoples Organisations resolution to declare the day of arrival of the Prince of Wales in South Africa as a day of mourning in protest against the South Africa Acts disenfranchisement of Indians, Coloureds and Africans in the upcoming Union of South Africa.
1910: 31 May, Dr. Walter Rubusana (African) and Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman (Coloured) elected to Cape Provincial Council.
1911: Mines and Works Act (established `Color Bar' in employment).
Universal Races Congress in London (John Tengo Jabavu and Walter Rubusana present).
1911: Mines and Works Act No 12:; Permitted the granting of certificates of competency for a number of skilled mining occupations to whites and coloureds only.
Repealed by s 20 of the Mines and Works Amendment Act No 27 of 1956
1911: Albert Luthuli starts his education at the Groutville School
1911: 3 January, The Government of India announces in the Viceroy's Council that emigration to Natal is prohibited with effect from 1 July.
1911: 13 March, The Colonial-Born and Settlers Indian Association is formed at a meeting in Durban and has at its aim to fight the infamous 3 poll tax. R.N. Moodley of Pietermaritzburg is the chairman of the meeting and among those present are Lutchman Panday, A. Christopher, S.K. Pather, K.R. Nayanah and H.S.L. Polak.
1911: 27 April, Indian passive resistance is suspended when Genl. J.C. Smuts enters into negotiations with Mahatma Gandhi.
1911: 24 October, Pixley ka I. Seme proposed "Native Union"
1912 - 1934: 112 stands are transferred to Indians. By 1934 the racial character of Pageview had changed a great deal by becoming racially mixed as a result of the unavailability of other legal, urban, ‘non-white' living areas.
1912: Start of the publication of Abantu-Batho (The People), newspaper of the South African Native National Congress.; Afrikaaner Nationalist Party formed by General Hertzog - pledged to achieve republican independence for South Africa and a return to doctrines of apartheid.
1912: 8 January, Chiefs, representatives of people's and church organisations, and other prominent individuals gathered in Bloemfontein and formed the African National Congress (then South African Native National Convention-SANNC). The ANC declared its aim to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms.
1912: April, South African Races Congress formed under leadership of John Tengo Jabavu.
1912: 18 May, SISULU: Walter Ulyate Max Sisulu is born in Engcobo District in the Transkei
1912: 14 October, Gopal Krishna Gokhale meets Prime Minister, General Louis Botha; General J. C. Smuts (then Minister of Finance, Defence and Mines) and Abraham Fischer (Minister of the Interior.) Gokhale negotiates with the Union Government on behalf of South African Indians and obtains promises that are not kept.
1912: 22 October, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, at invitation of Gandhi, arrives in South Africa on a 26-day tour. He also visits Tolstoy Farm.
1912: December, General J.B.M. Hertzog leaves Botha's cabinet.
1913: The Native Land Act formally divides land between black and white people.African women resist the imposition of residential passes, organising a passive resistance campaign that left many women jailed.
1913: African miners strike at Jagersfontein Diamond mine after one of their fellow-workers is kicked to death by a white overseer. White employees suppress the strike. 11 African mineworkers killed and 37 injured.; African women resist the imposition of residential passes by the OFS municipality, organising passive resistance and thereby forcing the municipality to rescind its measure. Many women jailed.
1913: The Land Act sets up the 'reserves' (later called 'bantustans' and 'homelands') and effectively zones Africans to 13% of the total land area of South Africa (though they form 80% of the population). They are prevented from buying land outside these areas. Property sizes inside the reserves are also restricted. As a result of this Act, the majority of Africans could no longer live as subsistence farmers. There was not enough land for everyone. Africans were forced to work for wages on white farms or in the mines or factories. A basic level of education assisted this employment. The South African Native National Congress (later the ANC) is formed to protest against this Act. (Many of its early members were mission school graduates.
1913: January, Tolstoy Farm is closed.
1913: 14 March, In a judgement of the Cape Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Searle declares that marriages not celebrated according to Christian rites and/or not registered by the Registrar of Marriages, are invalid. All Moslem and Hindu marriages concluded according to traditional rites are therefore declared invalid.
1913: June, Natives Land Act :Emergency meeting of the South African Native National Congress Executive Committee to discuss Natives' Land Act.
1913: June, Anti-Indian Legislation: Immigrants Regulation Act (No 22 of 1913)
Persons not literate in a European language and undesirables, i.e. on economic grounds or on account of standards or habits of life, could be excluded from country. Minister of Interior classifies all Asiatic persons undesirable. Indian immigration stopped.
1913: June, The Immigrants Regulation Amendment Act, Act No. 22 of 1913, persons not literate in a European language and so-called undesirables (persons deemed undesirable on economic grounds or on account of standards or habits of life) could be excluded from country. The Minister of the Interior classifies all Asiatic persons undesirable and Indian immigration is halted indefinitely.
1913: 19 June, Black Land Act No 27:; Prohibited blacks from owning or renting land outside designated reserves (approximately 7 per cent of land in the country).
Commenced: 19 June 1913
Repealed by s 1 of the Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act No 108 of 1991.
1913: 19 June, The Land Act, Act No 27, is passed. The Act confines Africans to hopelessly overcrowded reserves and deprives them of rights to purchase land outside the native reserves
1913: July, White miners' general strike on the Witwatersrand.
1913: September - November, Indian 'general strike' and passive resistance
1913: 22 September, The first batch of Indian passive resisters, consisting of 12 men and 4 women (including Mrs. Kasturba Gandhi) are arrested at Volksrust and imprisoned in Pietermaritzburg.
1913: 23 September, Women protests take place in the Free State, led by Charlotte Maxeke resisting government attempts to impose passes on women. Passes are burnt in front of the municipal offices.
1913: 19 October, At a meeting of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in Durban, NIC secretaries, M. C. Anglia and Dada Osman, severely criticise Mahatma Gandhi and tender their resignations. However, their resignations are not accepted and the meeting withdraws the NICs support of the passive resistance campaign. In reaction, Gandhi and his supporters withdraw from the meeting and form a new body, the Natal Indian Association (NIA), at Parsee Rustomjees house. The NIC would become defunct until its resuscitation in 1920.
1913: 21 October, Transvaal women satyagrahis begin defiance activities, hawking without licenses in Vereeniging. They are not arrested. They cross the Natal border and encourage the miners in Newcastle to strike. Phoenix satyagrahis, including five women who cross the Natal Transvaal border, are arrested and sent to prison in Pietermaritzburg.
1913: 28 October, Albert Christopher, Ruben Joseph and three other Colonial-born Indians leave Durban to assist in the strike area.
1913: November, Lord Hardinge delivers a speech in Madras, India, in which he expresses sympathy with the Indian passive resistance struggle in South Africa.
1913: 6 November, Great March led by MK Gandhi includes 127 women, 57 children and 2037 men
1913: 18 December, The Indian Inquiry Commission, also known as the Solomon Commission, commences its sittings in Pretoria.
1914: An ANC delegation visits Britain to protest the Land Act.
1914: Having completed Standard Four, Albert Luthuli continues his education at Ohlange Institute – a boarding school – under Dr. John Dube, the founding President of the South African Native National Council; After only two terms at Ohlange, Albert Luthuli passes the end of year examinations and is transferred to a Methodist Institution at Edendale, near Pietermaritzburg
1914: January, General Strike of white workers called on the Witwatersrand. Martial law declared and strike leaders deported by General Smuts.; Nationalist Party formed under leadership of General Hertzog.; Riotous Assemblies and Criminal Law Amendment Act (directed against militant white trade unions).; Delegation of South African Native National Congress travels to Great Britain to protest Natives' Land Act.; Solomon Plaatje remains in England when other Congress delegates return.
1914: 14 January, The Gandhi-Smuts Agreement is reached between Gen. J.C. Smuts and Mahatma Gandhi.
1914: 20 January, The first group of Transvaal Indian women satyagrahis are released from Pietermaritzburg Prison after three months imprisonment. Among them is Valliamma Moonsamy Moodaliar.
1914: 27 January, A petition is written and submitted by the black and coloured women of the Orange Free State (OFS) against the carrying of passes by women.
1914: 10-11 February, In accordance with the understanding reached by General J.C. Smuts and Mahatma Gandhi on 14 January 1914, 60 passive resistance prisoners are released from the Pietermaritzburg Prison. In addition, 40 passive resisters are released in Durban, 8 in Newcastle and 11 in Port Elizabeth.
1914: 22 February, Sixteen-year-old Valliamma Mudaliar dies of a fever contracted in prison.
1914: 26 June, Anti-Indian Legislation: Indian Relief Act passed after a protracted period of Passive Resistance led by Gandhi, following the report of the Solomon Commission.
The Act abolished the 3 Poll tax, recognized marriages contracted in terms of traditional Hindu and Muslim rites, and facilitated the entry of wives into Union, but Indians still not allowed to own property in the two former republics (Transvaal & Orange Free State). Indians are not allowed to live in Orange Free State. Indian children of parents living in South Africa are allowed to immigrate.
Restrictions on trading not removed and Indians remain disenfranchised.
1914: 26 June, After a protracted passive resistance campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian Relief Act is passed following the report of the Solomon Commission. The Act abolishes the 3 poll tax, recognises marriages contracted in terms of traditional Indian (Muslim or Hindu) rites, and facilitates the entry into the Union of the wives of Indians already domiciled locally. However, Indians remain disenfranchised and are still not allowed to own property in the two former Boer Republics (Transvaal and the Orange Free State), or to live in the Orange Free State. Furthermore, restrictions on Indian trading remain in force.
1914: 18 July, Mahatma Gandhi leaves South Africa for London.
1914: August, World War I begins.; Revolt by anti-war Afrikaner nationalists.; John Tengo Jabavu opposes Walter Rubusana in Cape Provincial elections.
1914: 4 August, Britain, and automatically South Africa as part of the British Empire, declares war against Germany and so enters into the First World War. Mahatma Gandhi arrives in London
1915: The “anti-war” internationalist section in an effort to stand for all South Africans without any colour distinctions, founds the International Socialist League (ISL).
1915: The foundation of the International Socialist League, by the 'anti-war' internationalist section who broke away from the white Labour Party. It stood for full rights for all and socialism, embracing all South Africans without distinction of colour or class.
1915: 21 December, 2,800 African miners strike at the Van Rhyn Deep mines in a bid to redress some of their grievances.
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.
1916: Dedication of the South African Native College at Fort Hare.
Report of the Native Lands (Beaumont) Commission.; Solomon Plaatje's Native Life in South Africa published.
1916: The Durban & District Native Football Association is established.
1916: October, At a meeting in Pietersburg, the ANC describes the report of the Beaumont commission as unsatisfactory.
1917: Industrial Workers of Africa founded by the International Socialist League.
1917: The Natives Administration Bill
1917: The `Industrial Workers of Africa' founded by the ISL in Johannesburg, the first industrial African trade union to be formed.; South African Native National Congress Executive Committee splits, with John Dube accepting theory of territorial segregation. Samuel Makgatho assumes office as president.
1917: Albert Luthuli completes a teacher's training course at Edendale and becomes principal and sole staff member of a tiny intermediate school in Blaauwbosch, Natal
1917: The Indian Printers Union and the Indian Workers Union (IWU) formed. The Union's respective secretaries are colonial born Indians, M.K. Moodley and Rev B.L.E. Sigamoney.
1917: 16 February, A.H. West and others advise indentured workers in Natal not to re-indenture but to become free men.
1917: March, The Imperial War Conference, attended by representatives of Britain and the British Dominions, commences in London. India's attendance at the Conference raises the hope of Indians in the colonies that they now have some leverage to effect changes for equal treatment.
1917: March, Gordon Lee of the Industrial Socialist League (ISL) forms the Durban Workers Industrial Union. The Union enrols Indian members representing printing, tobacco, laundry, dock and municipal workers, miners, sugar slaves.
1917: 27 April, Sir Satyendra P. Sinha of India submits the so-called Reciprocity Resolution to the Imperial War Conference in London. The Conference unanimously accepts the principle of reciprocity between India and the Dominions. Sir Sinha's memorandum also includes grievances of South African Indians in connection with trading licences, the franchise, ownership of land and railway regulations.
1918: Women's anti-pass campaign led by the Bantu Women's League of South Africa, the then women's branch of the ANC.
1918: Anti-pass campaign by women ends in triumph. It was led by the then Bantu Women's League of South Africa - the Women's Branch of the ANC, formed by Charlotte Maxeke.
1918: The formation of the Bantu Women's League of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC)as a result of protests that occur in the Free State.; A delegation is sent to Prime Minister Louis Botha to discuss the issue of Passes for black women.
1918: Rev. B.L.E. Sigamoney takes over the leadership of the Indian Worker's Union (IWU) from Gordon Lee and represents the Union at the Industrial Socialist League's annual conference.
1918: Rev. B.L.E. Sigamoney takes over the leadership of the Indian Worker's Union (IWU) from Gordon Lee and represents the Union at the Industrial Socialist League's annual conference.
1918: May, Bucket strike by African sanitary workers, 152 of which were sentenced to two months imprisonment for breach of contract, under the Masters and Servants Act.
1918: 21 May, In a letter to the Indian Opinion, the Cape British Indian Council calls for a national conference of Indian organisations.
1918: June, Strike of African sanitation workers in Johannesburg.; Formal Status Quo Agreement between Chamber of Mines and white trade unions.
1918: 20 October, A.M. Cachalia dies and is succeeded by Ebrahim I. Asvat as elected Chairman of the Transvaal British Indian Association.
1918: 11 November, An armistice between the Allied and the Central Powers brings the First World War to an end.
1919: ANC delegation visits Britain to protest the Land Act for the second time.
1919: The ANC in Transvaal led a campaign against the passes.
1919: The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) - a general union formed.
1919: A protest is held in the OFS against the carrying of passes by women.
1919: Anti-Indian Legislation: Under Companies Act of 1909, Asiatics could purchase land from whites if they formed a company.
The Companies Act of 1909 is reneged in Krugersdorp:
i) Krugersdorp Municipal Council vs Dadoo Limited and Others transaction in which Company of Asiatics purchase land from white owner declared invalid
ii) Krugersdorp Municipal Council obtains interdict restraining a European firm, Messrs TW Beckett and Company from permitting residence of Indians on a Krugersdorp stand leased by the firm to an Indian tailor.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Asiatics (Land and Trading) Amendment Act (Transvaal), 37/1919.
Asiatics with rights to trade on property outside designated Asiatic Bazaars allowed to continue. New licences stopped. Asiatics can no longer acquire land through companies. Still able to acquire land through nominees. Register to be compiled of existing licences and businesses owned by Indians.
The Act is promulgated on 3 August.
1919: The South African Native National Council organises an anti-pass campaign. In Johannesburg alone, 700 arrests are made
1919: Reneging on the Companies Act of 1909, the Krugersdorp Municipal Council declares a transaction through which an Indian-owned company, Dadoo Limited, purchased land from a White owner, invalid. In addition, the Municipal Council obtains a court interdict restraining a European firm, Messrs TW Beckett and Company, from leasing a Krugersdorp stand to an Indian tailor. In reaction to these incidents, the Transvaal British Indian Association draws up a petition that directly leads to the establishment of a Select Committee of the House of Assembly to look into the acquisition of property in Transvaal by Indians through mortgages and shareholding in private companies.
1919: Formation of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of Africa (ICU).
1919: January, Industrial and Commercial Union formed in Cape Town under leadership of Clements Kadalie.; Demonstrations in Bloemfontein location.
1919: 7 January, Founding of the Industrial and Commercial Workers` Union of South Africa. Leader: Clements Kadalie.
ANC organises a campaign on the Rand against the pass laws.
70,000 African miners strike against their whole status and pig-level existence. It is highly disciplined and organised and an alarmed government throws police cordons around each of the compounds, preventing coordination of demands and actions. Troops break through the workers` barricades, with bayonets fixed, killing 3 and wounding 40. Police and armed white civilians attack a meeting of solidarity with the striking miners, killing 8 and wounding 80.
1919: 20 January, The Cape British Indian Council invites Indian organisations to a South African Indian Conference.
1919: 26-30 January, The first South African Indian Conference, convened by the Cape British Indian Council, is held in Cape Town. John X. Merriman, the former Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, opens the Conference. The Conference appoints a committee of 12 members to frame the constitution of an organisation to unite all South African Indians. In addition, the conference resolves to agitate for full civil rights and to resort to civil resistance until those rights are granted.
1919: 19 February, The first Pan African Congress is held in Paris, France and is headed by William Edward Durghardt Du Bois. A firm supporter of the Back to Africa movement in the United States of America, Marcus Garvey founds the African Communities League and the Black Star Line (part of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)), with the intention of bringing home the African Americans.
1919: March, Selby Msimang arrested.
1919: March - April, Anti-pass demonstrations on the Witwatersrand led by the South African Native National Congress.; Constitution of the South African Native National Congress approved.
Bantu Union formed in Queenstown under leadership of Meshach Pelem.; Delegation of South African Native National Congress travels to Great Britain and Europe to present African case at Versailles Peace Conference.
1919: 1 May, A Select Committee is established by the House of Assembly to look into the acquisition of property in Transvaal by Indians through mortgages and shareholding in private companies. Following the recommendations of Select Committee, the Asiatics (Land and Trading) (Transvaal) Amendment Act, Act No. 37 of 1919 is proclaimed. Asiatics with rights to trade on property outside designated Asiatic Bazaars are allowed to continue to do so, but a register would be compiled of existing licences and businesses owned by Indians and no new licences would be issued. Asiatics can also no longer acquire land through companies, but will still be able to acquire land through nominees.
1919: 12 May, The Transvaal British Indian Association calls a mass meeting to organise opposition to the proposed Asiatics (Land and Trading) (Transvaal) Amendment Act. In terms of the Act, Transvaal Indians are prohibited from owning shares in limited companies.
1919: July, A number of Indian leaders in the Transvaal sign a covenant pledging civil resistance. The signatories include the following officers of the Transvaal British Indian Association: E. I. Asvat, Chairman; N. A. Camay, Vice-Chairman; P.K. Naidoo and B. K. Patel, Joint Secretaries.; The Transvaal Emergency Conference Committee is formed with E.I. Patel as Chairman and N.A. Camay and P.K. Naidoo as joint-secretaries. The Committee calls for a South African National Indian Emergency Conference.
1919: 3 August, The Asiatics Land and Trading (Transvaal) Amendment Act, Act No. 37 of 1919, is promulgated.
1919: 3-6 August; The second South African Indian Conference is convened in Johannesburg by the Transvaal Emergency Conference Committee with the aim to create a national body to deal with threats to the rights of Indians. However, internal dissensions defeat the aims of the conveners of the Conference.
1919: 4-5 September; The Anti-Asiatic League holds a congress in Pretoria with L.J. Philips, an attorney from Krugersdorp, as Chairman. The congress sets up the South African League under the leadership of Abe Bailey. The aims of the League are the expropriation of all immovable property held by Asiatics, as well as the removal of Asiatics that are residing and trading in the Transvaal.
1919: October, Dock strike by African and Coloured dockworkers in Cape Town led by the Industrial and Commercial Union under Clements Kadalie.

[PAGEBREAK]

1920s

1920: The Native Affairs Act; The ANC supports the militant strike by African mineworkers in 1920.
1920: The Black (Native) Affairs Act is Passed. The Native Affairs Act was yet another spin-off of the South African Native Affairs Commissions report of 1905. It paves the way for the creation of a countrywide system of tribally based, but government appointed, district councils modelled on the lines of the Glen Grey Act of 1894. The 1936 Representation of Natives Act extends the principal of separate, communally based political representation for Africans.; Allison Wessels George (A.W.G.) Champion founds the Transvaal Native Mine Clerks Association.; The Bulhoek Massacre takes place outside Queenstown.; Dorothy Shanley is born.; Eduardo Mondlane is born in Manjacaze, Mozambique.; Elmon Malele is born.; Fred Carneson is born.; Gabriel Dichaba is born.; Harry (Mphephethwa) Themba Gwala is born.; Hymie Barsel is born in Barsel.; Jonas Dinous Matlou is born.; Lionel (Rusty) Bernstein is born.; Lorna Peirson is born in Beckenham, London.; Marimuthu (M.P.) Pragalathan Naicker is born in Natal.; Nimrod Sejake is born.; Raymond Mhlaba is born in Mazoka village at Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape.; Robert M. Resha is born in Bolotwe, Queenstown.
1920: Job reservation is created by the job colour bar becoming official. The 'Civilized Labour Policy' and the Apprenticeship Act entrenches disadvantage for Africans. Black workers are placed in an inferior position to white workers, and are also to denied certain freedoms.
1920: Albert Luthuli attends the Higher Teachers' Training Course at Adams College on a scholarship and joins the staff upon the successful completion of the course.; 40 000 African miners strike on the Reef and in Port Elizabeth 21 people are killed by the police.
1920: Dalidyebo, father of the Tembu Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, dies at Silimela. It was this latter chief to whom Henry Mandela entrusted his young son, Nelson Mandela.
1920: February, African mineworkers strike on the Witwatersrand.
1920: February, The Asiatic Inquiry Commission, headed by Sir Johannes Lange, is appointed to inquire into laws concerning the right of Asiatics to trade and acquire fixed property in the Union.
1920: March, Smuts forms government with narrow parliamentary majority.
Native Affairs Act.
1920: 12 May, The Asiatic Inquiry Commission, appointed in February 1920 to inquire into laws concerning the right of Asiatics to trade and acquire fixed property in the Union, submits an interim report.
1920: July, Industrial and Commercial WorkersUnion of South Africa (ICU) is established as national Black trade union in Bloemfontein.
1920: 11 July, Hudson William Edison Ntsanwisi is born at the Shiluvane Mission Station in the Letaba District of Limpopo.
1920: 23 October, African demonstrators shot in Port Elizabeth.; Transvaal Mine Clerks' Association formed under the leadership of A.W.G. Champion.
1920: December, P.K. Naidoo and others form the Congress Resuscitation Committee (CRC) to resuscitate the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) that had become defunct after a split with Mahatma Gandhi in 1913.
1921: Mary Fitzgerald is the first female City Councillor in Johannesburg.; Josiah Mqebu succeeds Martin Luthuli as Chief of Groutville
1921: Ghananian educator, J. E. G. Gold Aggrey visits South Africa on an endowment mission to study African education. This prompts concerned Whites and members of African middle class to form the Joint Councils of Europeans and Blacks in major South African cities.; Rev. Z. R. Mahabane addresses the Cape branch of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC).; Selby Msimang, founding member of the African National Congress (ANC) and Clements Kadalie, the Malawian founder of the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) agree on the formation of Black trade union called the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of South Africa.; Selby Msimang delivers a speech before the second conference of the Industrial Commercial Workers Union of South Africa in Cape Town.; Florence Mophosho is born in Alexander Township, Johannesburg.; Jo Thorpe is born in Fishoek in Cape Town.; Leslie Massina is born in Pimville, Johannesburg.; Mahomed (Chota) M. Motala is born.; Mpho Keyecwe Motsamai is born.; Thembile Benson Ndimba is born.
1921: February, National elections. Smuts government remains in power with increased parliamentary majority.
1921: 19 February, Andries Treurnicht is born on Middelpos farm in Piketberg, Cape Town.
1921: 3 March, The Asiatic Inquiry Commission, appointed in February 1920 to inquire into laws concerning the right of Asiatics to trade and acquire fixed property in the Union, concludes its activities and submits its final report. The Commission rejects the grievances of the South African League and proposes a system of voluntary repatriation and segregation of Indians. It also recommends that existing legislation on Indians in the Transvaal be retained, but that new measures be introduced in Natal to prohibit Indians from buying agricultural land in a specified area along the coast.
1921: 5 March, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Durban Land Alienation Ordinance , no 14 of 1922 (Natal) This ordinance enables the Durban City Council to exclude Indians from ownership or occupation of property in white areas.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Township Franchise Ordinance.
The Township Franchise Ordinance is approved by the Provincial Council of Natal to deprive Indians of municipal franchise rights, vetoed by the Union Government.
1921: 5 March, The Durban Land Alienation Ordinance, No. 14 of 1921 (Natal), enables the Durban City Council to exclude Indians from the ownership or occupation of property in white areas. The ordinance evokes strenuous opposition.; The Provincial Council of Natal approves the Township Franchise Ordinance, which will deprive Indians of their municipal franchise rights. The Union Government, however, vetoes the ordinance.; The Provincial Council of Natal approves the Rural DealersLicensing Ordinance, which limits Indian traders right of appeal against the refusal of trading licences by municipal licensing officers.
1921: 6 March, The Natal Indian Congress is resuscitated and reorganised at a meeting in Durban. Ismail Gora is elected President.
1921: May, Frustrated White authorities finally resort to the use of force after the Isrealites Millenarian Separatist Sect repeatedly refused to move from outside of Bulhoek in the Cape Province, where they had squatted for over a year. When a reinforced Police Unit is sent with Colonel Theodore Truter, a Police Commissioner, 163 Africans are killed and 129 wounded. The incident became known as the Bulhoek Massacre. Prophet Enoch Migijima, the leader of the Sect, and his two brothers were given a Six-year sentence for leading people in protest against forced removals by White authorities.; The Communist Party of South African (CPSA) is formed in Cape Town.
1921: 24 May, Bulhoek Massacre of Israelites takes place near Queenstown when Colonel Theodore Truter, a police commissioner, leads 6 squadrons, a machine gun and an artillery detachment against the Israelite religious sect collected at their annual gathering on the land of their leader and prophet, Enoch Mgijima at Ntabalanga. The slaughter takes 10 minutes and costs 190 lives.
Mgizima and his two brothers are sentenced to 6 years - their crime: the refusal to demolish huts built on crown land and defiance of white authority.
1921: June, Non-European Convention held in Kimberly to protest against the pass laws and the Hertzog Bills, where he proposed the removal of the limited cape Franchise. Dr. Abdurahman of the African People's Organisation (APO) was elected as the chairperson.
1921: 20 June, The Imperial Conference begins in London. At the Conference, V.S. Srinivasa Sastri, the Indian representative, puts forward a strong case for the granting of full citizenship rights to Indians in South Africa and other British colonies. The South African Prime Minister, General J.C. Smuts, opposes Sastris resolution that calls for equality and maintains that he cannot grant the franchise to Indians while withholding it from Blacks.
1921: July, The International Socialist League together with other socialist organisations formed the Communist Party.
1921: July, Communist Party of South Africa formed in Cape Town.; John Dube attends the Second Pan-African Congress in London.; J.E.G. Aggrey of Gold Coast visits South Africa.; First European-African Joint Council formed in Johannesburg.; Start of publication of Umteteli wa Bantu, African newspaper linked to the Chamber or Mines.
1921: 1 July, Seretse Khama is born at Serowe, Bechuanaland (now Botswana).
1921: 21 November, The trial of the accused of the Bulhoek Massacre commences
1921: 16 December, The Communist Party (CP) called for a united front in a pass burning campaign on Dingaan's Day.
1922: White miners embark on what has become known as The Rand Rebellion.
1922: The first significant action by women in the rural areas occurs in Hershel. Boycott of stores as a result of price hikes, using passive resistance tactics that had been used earlier in the Free State.
1922: New laws passed which fixes the funding of African education at 1922 levels, with additional funding to come from the Africans themselves. The result is continual under funding.
1922: A South African Indian deputation, supported by Sir Jamshetji Jeejibhoy and other Indian leaders, meets the Viceroy.
1922: Following a crisis between a section of White workers and the chamber of mines on labour issues, miners in the Witwatersrand embark on a strike and it becomes known as the Rand Rebellion. The key issue for the White workers is the replacement of 2000 semi-skilled White labourers by cheap Black labour. Initially Whites were protected by the Colour Bar Act, which advocated job reservation for them. The fall of the Rand after WWI had a heavy financial impact on mine owners leading them to a reduction in costs, especially on labour. Both English-speaking leftwing socialists and Afrikaner Militants use armed action to support their demands. Jan Smuts, Prime Minister of South Africa, instructs the police to use martial law to bring the strike to an end. The miners get the sympathy of the South African Labour Party and National Party (NP), who use them to canvass votes in order to oust Smuts South African Party from power in the 1924 election.; Industrial and Commercial Workerss Union in its meeting in Cape Town condemns the attack on Blacks during the Rand Rebellion and calls upon government to act against the offenders.; Rev. Selope Thema founding member of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) encourages biracial meetings as they make the organisation more informative.; Transvaal Native Mine Clerks Association hands a memorandum to the Mining Industry Board.; Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) is renamed the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of Africa.; Jerry Dibanhlele Khumalo is born.; Greenwood Dumisa Ngotyana is born in the Transkei.; George Edward Peake is born in the Cape.; Mary Goitsemang Ranta is born.
1922: March, Bondelswarts rebellion in South West Africa.
White miners' general strike becomes armed clash between strikers and government.; Clements Kadalie assumes dominant position in national ICU.; First Native Conference held under provisions of Native Affairs Act of 1920.
1922: March, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Natal Provincial Council passes three ordinances.
i) The Rural Dealers' Licensing Ordinance – limited the right of appeal.
ii) The Townships Franchise Ordinance – Indians lose municipal franchise.
iii) The Durban Land Alienation Ordinance – gives the Durban Town Council the right to restrict ownership and occupation of land of any race group.
1922: 22 March, The Rand Rebellion is brought to a brutal end by the police.
1922: 4 April, Narainsamy Thumbi Naicker is born.
1922: 14 October, Rahima Moosa is born in the Strand, Cape Town.
1923: The European-Bantu conference encouraged the ANC to withdraw from direct political action.; The Natives (Urban) Areas Act; Fietas, Johannesburg: The Native Urban Areas Act is passed.
1923: Native (Black) Urban Areas Act No 21:; Made each local authority responsible for the blacks in its area. ‘Native advisory boards' regulated influx control and removed ‘surplus' people, i.e. those who were not employed in the area. The country was divided into prescribed (urban) and non- prescribed areas, movement between the two being strictly controlled (Horrell 1978: 2-3). This Act was consolidated by the 1945 Blacks (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act.
Assent gained: 14 June 1923; commencement date not found.
Repealed by the Blacks (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act No 25 of 1945
1923: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Class Areas Bill.
Minister of Interior, Sir Patrick Duncan, introduces Class Areas Bill, which proposes compulsory residential and trading segregation for Indians throughout South Africa.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Boroughs Ordinance no 189 of 1924
This Bill effectively disenfranchises Indians in Natal. They lose vote in boroughs.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Industrial Conciliation Act.
This Act provides for Job reservation.
1923: South African Labour Party and National Party sign a Pact agreement. They agree to form a Pact government should they win the 1924 elections under General Barry Hertzog.; The Natives (Urban Areas) Act legislated on a broad front to regulate the presence of Africans in the urban areas. It was only intermittently applied until the end of the 1940s.The African National Congress (ANC) through its newspaper Abantubantu makes it known that it opposes the Act as it promotes and strengthens segregation; The South African Native National Party (SANNC) changes its name to the African National Congress (ANC).; James Thaele, a self-styled professor of Cape Town, in the first conference of Black Affairs, under the sponsorship of the Dutch Reformed Church, calls for Independent African Action.; Thembekile Enoch KaTshunungwa, a member of the Tembu Royal House is born in the Transkei.; Wilton Z. Mkwayi is born in Middledrift in the Cape.; Hassen (Ike) M. Moosa is born.; P. Ntsangani is born in Eastern Cape.; Reginald September is born in Cape Town.; Mbuyiselo Stanley Vanqa is born.; Diamond Bozas is born in Isipingo.
1923: April, Nationalist Party and South African Labour Party conclude electoral pact to challenge Smuts government.
Start of publication of Workers' Herald, newspaper of the ICU.
1923: 31 May, The Mayor of Durban, Walter Gilbert J.P., officially opens the third national conference of Indian organisations in the Durban Town Hall. The Conference formally decides to establish the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) and Omar Hajee Amod Jhaveri is elected its first President.
1923: 1 June - 3 June, The third national conference of Indian organisations continues at Parsee Rustomjee Hall in Queen Street, Durban. The Conference draws up and adopts the constitution and standing orders of the newly established South African Indian Congress.
1923: September, First European-African Conference sponsored by the Dutch Reformed Church.; Natives (Urban Areas) Act.
1923: 29 October, James John Hadebe is born in Frankfort, Free State.
1924: Rev. Z.R. Mahabane is elected President-General of the ANC
1924: Industrial Conciliation Act.
1924 - 1939: Premiership of General Hertzog.
1924: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Township Franchise Ordinance, Natal.
This Ordinance deprived Indians of municipal franchise.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Rural Dealers Ordinance, Natal.
This Ordinance attempts to cripple Indian trade.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Durban Land Alienation Ordinance, Natal.
This Ordinance prevented Indian ownership of land in white areas.
1924: The Boroughs Ordinance, Ordinance No. 189 of 1924 effectively disenfranchises Indians in Natal. The South African Indian Congress threatens passive resistance.
1924: Colonel F.H.P Creswell of the South African Labour Party is appointed Minister of Labour in the Pact government.; The Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) is rigged by internal struggle over its relationship with the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA).; Dennis Brutus is born in Rhodesia.; D. Fuyani is born.; Nadime Gordimer is born in Springs.; Alfred (Tough) Hutchinson is born in Hectorspruit district, Eastern Transvaal.; Elias Motsoaledi is born in Sekhukhuniland.; Ahmed Ebrahim Patel is born.; Abraham Barnett Koatlhao Secchoareng is born.; Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe is born in Graaff-Reinet in the Cape Province.
1924: Introduction of Industrial Conciliation Act.
1924: January, The Minister of the Interior, Sir Patrick Duncan, introduces the Class Areas Bill, which proposes compulsory residential and trading segregation for Indians throughout South Africa.
1924: January, The Minister of the Interior, Sir Patrick Duncan, introduces the Class Areas Bill, which proposes compulsory residential and trading segregation for Indians throughout South Africa.
1924: 27 January, The Natal Indian Congress and the Natal Indian Association jointly organises a mass meeting in Durban in opposition to the Class Areas Bill. The mass meeting is attended by 3000 Indians.
1924: 8 February, Imam Abdullah Haron is born Newlands-Claremont.
1924: 15 February, A deputation for the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) meets with the Minister of the Interior, Sir Patrick Duncan, and presents him with a memorandum setting out their objections concerning the Class Areas Bill.
1924: April, After an invitation from the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, a celebrated poetess from India, returns to South Africa from a visit to Kenya. She addresses scores of meetings and puts forward the case of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) concerning the Class Areas Bill in interviews with the Prime Minister, General J.C. Smuts, the Minister of the Interior, Sir Patrick Duncan, the leaders of the Opposition and other prominent members of Parliament. She is also present in Parliament during its discussions of the Bill. The Government later decides not to pursue the Bill pending the general elections to be held in June.
1924: April, After an invitation from the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, a celebrated poetess from India, returns to South Africa from a visit to Kenya. She addresses scores of meetings and puts forward the case of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) concerning the Class Areas Bill in interviews with the Prime Minister, General Jan Smuts, the Minister of the Interior, Sir Patrick Duncan, the leaders of the Opposition and other prominent members of Parliament. She is also present in Parliament during its discussions of the Bill. The Government later decides not to pursue the Bill pending the general elections to be held in June.
1924: 8 April, Industrial Conciliation Act No 11:; Provided for job reservation. Excluded blacks from membership of registered trade unions, prohibited registration of black trade unions.
Commenced: 8 April 1924
Repealed by s 86 of the Industrial Conciliation Act No 36 of 1937
1924: 8 April, The Industrial Conciliation Act, Act No. 11 of 1924, provides for job reservation.
1924: 21 April - 25 April, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) convenes an emergency conference in Durban. In a resolution adopted by the Conference, the SAIC approves Mrs Sarojini Naidus suggestion that a Round-table Conference be held between delegates from the SAIC, the Union Government and the Indian Government.
1924: 21 April - 25 April, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) convenes an emergency conference in Durban. In a resolution adopted by the Conference, the SAIC approves Mrs Sarojini Naidus suggestion that a Round-table Conference be held between delegates from the SAIC, the Union Government and the Indian Government.
1924: 28 April, Kenneth David Kaunda is born.
1924: May, Rev. Z. R. Mahabane elected president of the African National Congress.
1924: May, Rev. Z. R. Mahabane is elected the president of the African National Congress (ANC).
1924: June, National elections. Nationalist Party-South African Labour Party win parliamentary majority. General Hertzog becomes prime minister.
1924: 17 June, The Pact coalition between the National Party and Labour Party wins the national election and General J.B.M. Hertzog becomes Prime Minister.
1925: The Pact government comes to power, under Jan Smuts and Barry Hertzog.
1925: The Bill of rights is adopted at the National conference.
1925: The new name: African National Congress (ANC) is adopted, replacing the old South African native National Congress (SANNC)
1925: Wage Act.; Attempt to extend pass laws to African women blocked by court decision in suit instigated by African National Congress.; ICU headquarters shifted from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
1925: Anti-Indian Legislation: Transvaal Dealers (Control) Ordinance 11/1925.
This ordinance puts obstacles in the way of obtaining licences. Aim to restrict Indian trade.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Minimum Wages Act.
This Act leads to a form of job reservation and promotes white employment. Certain trades are earmarked for whites.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Class Areas Bill.
This Bill is designed for mere segregation.
1925: The Transvaal Dealers (Control) Ordinance, Ordinance No. 11 of 1925, aims to restrict Indian trade by placing further obstacles in the way of obtaining licences.; The Minimum Wages Act leads to a form of job reservation and promotes White employment by earmarking certain trades for Whites.
1925: The Wage Act is Passed. The Act gives the Pact government the power to determine wage rates within specific industries.; Alex La Guma is born in Cape Town.; Stanley B. Lollan is born.; Patrick Mosell Molaoa is born in Johannesburg.; Ruth Mompati is born in Vryburg, North-West Province.; Obed Motshabi is born.; John K. Nkadimeng is born in Sekhukhuniland, Eastern Transvaal.; A.B. Nogaya is born.; Tamsanqa Tasque Tshume is born in Port Elizabeth.; Harold Strachan is born.
1925: 25 January, Sir Dinshaw Petit and Sir Purushottamdas Thakurdas head a deputation to the Viceroy of India to press for a round-table conference with South Africa.
1925: 14 March, Heloise Ruth First is born.
1925: 8 April, The Indian Government sends a telegram to the Union Government to suggest round-table conference. In his reply to the telegram, the Union Governor General states that the conference must acknowledge repatriation as fundamental to the discussions.
1925: 8 April, The Indian Government sends a telegram to the Union Government to suggest a round-table conference. In his reply to the telegram, the Union Governor General states that the conference must acknowledge repatriation as fundamental to the discussions.
1925: 14 April, Collins Wells Englin is born in Sea Point, Cape Town.
1925: 16 June, The Union Government rejects a round-table conference with India on the grounds that it will constitute interference in South African affairs.
1925: 2 July, Patrice Lumumba is born in Kasai, in the Northern Province of Katanga.
1925: 23 July, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill
Dr. D. F. Malan, Minister of the Interior, introduces Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill in Parliament. It defines Indians as aliens and recommends limitation of population through repatriation.
1925: 23 July, Dr. D. F. Malan, Minister of the Interior, introduces the Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill in Parliament. The Bill is more stringent than the Class Areas Bill of the previous year whereas the Class Areas Bill was designed for the purposes of enforcing mere segregation, the Areas Reservation Bill defines Indians as aliens and recommends the limitation of the Indian population through repatriation.
1925: 23 July, Daniel Francois (D. F.) Malan, Minister of the Interior, introduces the Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill in Parliament. The Bill is more stringent than the Class Areas Bill of the previous year, whereas the Class Areas Bill was designed for the purposes of enforcing mere segregation, the Areas Reservation Bill defines Indians as aliens and recommends the limitation of the Indian population through repatriation.
1925: 31 August; The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) holds a mass meeting in Durban in protest against the proposed Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill. Anglia and J.K. Roberts call for a round-table meeting of Indian organisations, but the resolution is opposed.
1925: 31 August; The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) holds a mass meeting in Durban in protest against the proposed Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill. Anglia and J.K. Roberts call for a round-table meeting of Indian organisations, but the resolution is opposed.
1925: 19 September, Liz Abrahams is born in Paarl.
1925: 24 September, In a communiqu to the Indian Government, the Union Government again declares that there is no need for a round-table conference and that the two Governments need only to discuss the repatriation of South African Indians.
1925: 9 November - 12 November, The fifth Conference of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) in Cape Town rejects the Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill and calls for a round-table conference to be held between the Governments of India and South Africa and representatives of the SAIC. The Conference also adopts a resolution that a deputation be sent to India.
1925: 13 November, General Hertzog outlines his ”solution” for the 'Native Question' at Smithfield.
Afrikaans recognised as an official language.
1925: 13 November, General Barry Hertzog presents his Smithfield speech in the Orange Free State, where he presents proposals regarding the Coloured Persons Rights Bill.
1925: 16 November, Advocate J.W. Godfrey leads the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) deputation to the Minister of Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, to put forward the case of the Indian community with regards to the Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill. The deputation urges the Minister to agree to a round-table conference between the Governments of India and South Africa.
1925: 16 November, Advocate J.W. Godfrey leads the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) deputation to the Minister of Interior, Daniel Francois (D.F.) Malan, to put forward the case of the Indian community with regards to the Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill. The deputation urges the Minister to agree to a round-table conference between the Governments of India and South Africa.
1925: 23 November, 0A deputation of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) leaves for India to lobby the Indian Government about the issues of the Areas Reservation and Immigration and Registration (Further Provision) Bill and a round-table conference between the Governments of India and South Africa.
1925: December, The Paddison deputation, led by the Commissioner of Labour in Madras, G.F. Paddison, arrives in South Africa. The other members of the deputation are the Hon. Syed Raza Ali, G.S. Bajpai, C.S Ricketts and Sir Deva Prasad Sarvadhikary. The aim of the deputation is to study the general position and economic conditions of the Indians in South Africa. This delegation paves way for the first Round-table Conference.
1925: 19 December, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) delegation, led by Dr A. Abdurahman (President of the African Peoples Organisation, APO, but now involved with the plight of the Indians), meets with the Viceroy of India. The other members of the delegation are: Amod Bayat, J. W. Godfrey, Pandit Bhawani Dayal, V. S. C. Pather, Sorabjee Rustomjee and A. A. Mirza.
1925: 26 December, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) deputation attends 40th session of All-India Congress (also referred to as the India National Congress) at Cawnpore, India. Sarojini Naidu, President of the Indian National Congress, links the problems of South African Indians with India's subjection to foreign rule and calls for the freedom of India.
1926: Prime Minister General Barry Hertzog introduces a Bill to eject Africans from the political system.
1926: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Mines and Works Amendments Act (Colour Bar Act) 25/1926.
This Act provides certificates of competency for skilled work, Indian workers are excluded.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Liquor Bill, Sections 107 and 144
Indians and Africans could not be employed by licence holders and were not allowed on licensed premises and liquor supply vehicles. 3000 Indians employed in the brewery trade are affected.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Local Government (Provincial Powers) Act.
This Act denies citizenship rights to Indians.
1926: The Mines and Works Amendment Act , Act No. 25 of 1926 (Colour Bar Act), provides certificates of competency for skilled work, but Indian workers are excluded. Because of the differential treatment instituted as a result of this and other discriminatory Acts, Indian workers feel that separate Indian and Coloured Unions would best serve their needs, especially as white Trade Unions refuse to admit Indian members who want to fully benefit of Industrial Conciliation Act. i.e. representation on Industrial councils and Conciliation Boards.
1926: In terms of the proposed Liquor Bill, Sections 107 and 144, Indians and Africans cannot be employed by licence holders and are not allowed on licensed premises or to drive in liquor supply vehicles. 3000 Indians employed in the brewery trade are affected.
1926: Jongilizwe, brother of the Tembu Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, dies. It was this latter chief to whom Henry Mandela entrusted his young son, Nelson Mandela.
1926: The Mines and Works Amendment Act is passed.The Act firmly establishes the principle of the Colour Bar in certain mining jobs.; The African National Congress (ANC) plans a nation wide campaign after the publication of the Black Native Bills in alliance with the Industrial Commercial Union (ICU). Leaders of the two organisations back away from the endorsement and the campaign fails to take off.; The Mines and Works Act no 25 of 1926:This Act, also called the Colour Bar Act, is supposedly designed to counteract the force of economic advantages enjoyed by natives as stated by the governments Mining Regulations Commission. The 1926 legislation is a reflection on the belief by most whites, especially those in the labour market, that it represented unfair competition and that the welfare of Whites would suffer significantly if Blacks were not legislated out of the market. The law strengthened the barriers against non-White advancement provided in the 1911 Act.; Ethel de Keyser is born.; Balelekeng Sam Masemola is born.; John A. Mavuso is born.; Elliot Nzimeni Mfaxa is born at Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape.; Cecil Skotnes born in East London.; Joe Slovo is born in Lithuania.; Joseph Mpoza is born.; Kesval Moonsamy is born.; Maniben Sita is born in the Asiatic bazaar (Marabastad).; Michael Gagashe Zondi is born in Mtulwa, Greytown district of KZN.; Rexon Mathebula is born.
1926: 30 January, Prime Minister, Gen. J.B.M. Hertzog and the Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, meet with the Paddington delegation after a great deal of pressure from the British government. The meeting results in the decision that a Select Committee will be set up to enable the Paddison deputation to argue on the principle of Areas Reservation Bill. The deputation also succeeds in getting the Union Government to agree to a round-table conference.
1926: 30 January, Prime Minister, General Barry Hertzog and the Minister of the Interior, Daniel Francois (D.F.) Malan, meet with the Paddington delegation after a great deal of pressure from the British government. The meeting results in the decision that a Select Committee will be set up to enable the Paddington deputation to argue on the principle of the Areas Reservation Bill. The deputation also succeeds in getting the Union Government to agree to a round-table conference.
1926: February, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) deputation to India returns to South Africa.
1926: 17 February, The South African Government agrees to round-table conference with the Government of India provided discussion is restricted to repatriation of Indians. The conference is to be held at the end of 1926. It is further agreed that a South African Government deputation will visit India before the conference.
1926: 23 February, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) calls for a national day of prayer (hartal), strikes and the closure of shops in opposition to various pieces of proposed anti-Indian legislation. The South African Indian community heeds this call on national scale.
1926: April, South African Trade Union Congress formed.
1926: May, Mines and Works Amendment Act (`Colour Bar' Act)
1926: 6 May, Andrew Mokete Mlangeni is born Prospect township in Soweto.
1926: 31 May, Indian Government invites a delegation from the South African Government to visit India in an attempt to foster closer mutual cooperation.
1926: 11 September, Gerrit Viljoen is born in Cape Town.
1926: 19 September, A South African Government delegation, led by F. W. Beyers, the Minister of Mines and Industry, in the Hertzog Government, and Patrick Duncan, the Minister of the Interior in the previous Smuts Government, arrives in India.
1926: 30 September, Immorality Act No 5:; Extra-marital intercourse between whites and blacks prohibited (Horrell 1978: 8).(Extended in 1950 to include coloureds and Asians.)
Commenced: 30 September 1927
Repealed by s 23 of Sexual Offences Act No 23 of 1957.
1926: 30 September, Immorality Act No 5:Extra-marital intercourse between whites and blacks prohibited (Horrell 1978: 8). (Extended in 1950 to include coloureds and Asians.)Commences: 30 September 1927Repeals by section 23 of Sexual Offences Act No 23 of 1957.
1926: October, General J.B.M. Hertzog, South African Prime Minister, attends the Imperial Conference in London. The Conference focuses on the clarification of the dominions status within the British Empire and its activities result in the Balfour Declaration.
1926: 19 November, Following the Imperial Conference held in London in October, Lord Balfour, the former British Prime Minister, announces the Balfour Declaration, in which the status of the dominions in the British Empire is clarified as follows: [Britain and her dominions] are autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
1926: December, Communists expelled from ICU.
Kadalie defies order forbidding him entry into Natal.
Balfour Declaration defines relations of Great Britain and the Dominions.
1926: 6 December - 7 December, The South African Indian Congress holds an Emergency Conference.
1926 - 1927: 17 December - 12 January, Representatives of the South African and Indian Governments meet for a round-table conference in Cape Town. The Conference leads to the conclusion of the Cape Town Agreement between South Africa and India. In terms of the agreement, the Indian population of South Africa shall be limited through assisted emigration; the entry of naturalised Indians wives and minor children will be facilitated in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Reciprocity Resolution; and the South African Government commits itself to the upliftment of Indian Community in South Africa. It is also decided that Agents of the Government of India will be appointed to represent India in South Africa.
1927: J.T. Gumede is elected President of the ANC.
1927: James La Guma is sent to Brussels by the SACP.
1927: Walter Sisulu leaves school at the age of 15 and shortly afterwards Sisulu goes to Johannesburg where he attended various educational organisations. Sisulu, later became secretary of the ”Orlando Brotherly Society”, a Xhosa organisation, which prompted an interest in tribal history and encouraged economic independence from whites.
1927: Immorality Act.
Native Administration Act.
First Communist-sponsored African trade union formed.
1927: Joan Morice becomes South Africa's first qualified Veterinarian
1927: Albert Luthuli marries fellow Adam's College teacher Nokukhanya (‘The Bright One') Bhengu, the granddaughter of a hereditary Zulu Chief.
1927: The Native Administration Bill is passed. However, the Pact government fails to have the Native Bills, which is meant to regulate African Affairs, passed.; Josiah Tshangana Gumede of Natal branch of the African National Congress (ANC) and a member of the ANC delegation to London in 1919 is elected president of the organisation.; Josiah Tshangana Gumede attends a communist-sponsored conference in Brussels of oppressed nationalities, and travel to Soviet Union and indicates his desire of cooperation with the communists in joint efforts to influence the government, including mass demonstrations.; Clements Kadalie attempts tore organise the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) along the lines of Britain trade union.; The National and Flag Act of 1927This Act does not recognise Indians as South African Nationals.; Ben Turok is born in Latvia.; Joseph Morolong is born in Northern Cape.; Julius Phumelela Busa is born.; Lionel Forman is born in Rossettenville.; Lungile Kepe is born.; Philemon (Duma) Pearce Dumasile Nokwe is born.
1927: 12 January, The Cape Town Agreement is signed on the last day of a round-table conference of representatives of the South African and Indian Governments. The South African Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan withdraws the Areas Reservation Bill, while the Government of India agrees to the policy of voluntary repatriation.
1927: 27 January, The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the Natal Indian Association jointly organise a mass meeting in Durban in opposition to the Class Areas Bill. The mass meeting is attended by 3000 Indians.
1927: February, Second (and last) European-African Conference sponsored by the Dutch Reformed Church.
1927: 21 February, The Cape Town Agreement is published and a joint communiqu on the Cape Town round-table conference is issued by the South African and Indian Governments.
1927: 12 March - 13 March, The seventh annual Conference of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) is held in Johannesburg to discuss the Cape Town Agreement signed by South Africa and India in February. The SAIC accepts the agreement. Transvaal delegates also try unsuccessfully to get a decision from the Conference to move the SAIC headquarters to Johannesburg.
1927: April, The Immigration and Indian Relief (Further Provision) Bill of 1927 The Minister of Interior, Dr. Daniel Francois (D.F.) Malan, introduces Immigration and Indian Relief (Further Provision) Bill, which follows closely on the Round Table Conference between India and South Africa. It requires children of South African Indian parents, born outside the Union to enter the country within three months of birth. In addition South Africans who absent themselves for three continuous years from the country forfeit domicile rights, and Indians who have entered the country illegally (mostly at the time of the South African War) condoned and issued with condonation certificates. Families of condonees are not allowed to join them. The Act also establishes a scheme of voluntary repatriation of South African Indians to India. Indian Government complies. Repatriates to receive bonuses of 20 per adult and Â£10 per child, plus free passages. Bonus doubled in 1931, and finally abolished in 1955 when it becomes apparent that only the old, intending to retire in India, take advantage of it.
1927: 12 April, In an article published in The Star, The Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan presents the Cape Town Agreement as an agreement between South Africa and India to repatriate Indians.
1927: 27 April, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Immigration and Indian Relief (Further Provision) Bill
Minister of Interior, Dr Malan, introduces Immigration and Indian Relief Further Provision) Bill, which follows closely on Round Table Conference between India and South Africa.It requires children of South African Indian parents, born outside the Union to enter the country within three months of birth.In addition South Africans who absent themselves for three continuous years from the country forfeit domicile rights, and Indians who have entered the country illegally (mostly at the time of the Anglo-Boer War) condoned and issued with condonation certificates. Families of condonees are not allowed to join them. The Act also establishes a scheme of voluntary repatriation of South African Indians to India. Indian Government complies. Repatriates to receive bonuses of £20 per adult and £10 per child, plus free passages. Bonus doubled in 1931, and finally abolished in 1955 when it becomes apparent that only the old, intending to retire in India, take advantage of it.
1927: 27 April, The Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, introduces the Immigration and Indian Relief (Further Provision) Bill in Parliament. The introduction of the Bill follows closely on Round-table Conference between India and South Africa and has as its aim to provide legal guidelines for the implementation of the Cape Town Agreement. The Bill requires children of South African Indian parents, born outside the Union, to enter the country within three months of birth. In addition, South African Indians who absent themselves for three continuous years from the country forfeit their rights of domicile, while Indians who have entered the country illegally (mostly at the time of the Anglo-Boer War) will be condoned and issued with condonation certificates. However, families of condonees will not be allowed to join them. The Act also establishes a scheme of voluntary repatriation of South African Indians to India with the compliance of the Indian Government. Repatriates are to receive bonuses of 20 per adult and Â£10 per child, plus free passage to India. This bonus is doubled in 1931 and finally abolished in 1955 when it becomes apparent that only the old, who intend to retire in India, are taking advantage of it.
1927: 8 May, The Transvaal British Indian Association (TBIA), dominated by Muslim merchants, secedes from the South African Indian Congress (SAIC). The TBIA feels that the SAIC, dominated by representatives of the Natal Indian Congress, does not pay sufficient attention to the problems experienced by Transvaal Indians.
1927: 10 May, The Natal Provincial Council passes a motion against the Cape Town Agreement over fears that existing licensing legislation will be relaxed.
1927: 27 May, V.S.S. Sastri is appointed as the first Agent of the Government of India in South Africa.; The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) sends a deputation to the Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, to protest against Section 5 of the Immigration and Indian Relief (Further Provision) Bill. This section empowers Immigration Officers and Boards to cancel registration certificates and certificates of domicile. After further pressure by V.S.S. Sastri, the Indian Agent in South Africa, Malan, does not put Section 5 into effect.
1927: June - November, Clements Kadalie visits Europe.
1927: June, First Non-European Conference meets in Bloemfontein under the leadership of Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman; Gumede elected president of the African National Congress.; Gumede travels to Europe and the Soviet Union.
1927: 10 June, Mizream Maseko is (also documented as Mizraim, Mizriam, Mizram) is born.
1927: 23 June, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Asiatics in the Northern Districts Act.
Transvaal laws are to be applied to Indians in Utrecht, Vryheid, and Paulpietersburg. Restrictions placed on land purchase, trade and residence rights.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Liquor Act
Africans and Indians are denied employment by license holders and are not allowed to serve liquor and drive liquor vans. They are also denied access to licensed premises.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Women's Franchise Bill
No Indian women are allowed to vote.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Riotous Assembly Act
Any Indians are considered dangerous agitators subject to deportation.
1927: 23 June, Dr. A. Abdurahman, leader of the African Peoples Organisation (APO), organises a Non-European Conference in Kimberley to protest against the so-called Hertzog Bills that aims to further segregation and are to be tabled in Parliament later. At Abdurahmans invitation, the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) sends a delegation led by V. Lawrence. The delegation, however, declares that the SAIC cannot be bound by resolutions adopted at the Conference, because of the delicate position of Indians following the Cape Town Agreement and the appointment of an Indian Agent.
1927: 23 June, The Asiatics in the Northern Districts Act of 1927 determines that Transvaal laws will be applied to Indians in Utrecht, Vryheid and Paulpietersburg. Restrictions are placed on the purchase of land by Indians, as well as their trade and residence rights.
1927: 23 June, Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman, leader of the African Peoples Organisation (APO), organises a Non-European Conference in Kimberley to protest against the so-called Hertzog Bills that aim to further segregation and are to be tabled in Parliament. At Abdurahmans invitation, the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) sends a delegation led by V. Lawrence. The delegation, however, declares that the SAIC cannot be bound by resolutions adopted at the Conference, because of the delicate position of Indians following the Cape Town Agreement and the appointment of an Indian Agent.
1927: 29 June, The first Agent of the Government of India, the Right Hon. V.S. Srinivasa Sastriarrives in South Africa.
1927: 5 July, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Immigration and Indian Relief (Further) Provision: Act 37/1927.
This Bill becomes law and the scheme of assisted emigration comes into operation.
(Repatriation: 1927 1655 Indians repatriated; 1928 3477 repatriated; 1929 1314 repatriated); Anti-Indian Legislation: Nationality and Flag Act
Nationality and Flag Act denies Indians right to become citizens by naturalization.
1927: 5 July, The Immigration and Indian Relief (Further) Provision Bill becomes law as the Immigration and Indian Relief (Further) Provision Act, Act No. 37 of 1927 and the scheme of the assisted emigration of Indians comes into operation
1927: 1 September, Black (Native) Administration Act No 38:; Section 5(1)(b) provided that ‘whenever he deemed it expedient in the public interest,the minister might, without prior notice to any persons concerned, order any tribe, portion thereof, or individual black person, to move from one place to another within the Republic of South Africa' (Horrell 1978: 204). Section 29(1) prohibited the fomenting of feelings of hostility between blacks and whites. Amended by s 4 of the Black Laws Further Amendment Act No 79 of 1957. This was extended to all racial groups in terms of s 1 of the 1974 Second General Law Amendment Act (see below). ‘All the reported cases concern charges of inciting hostility among blacks towards the white section of the community' rather than cases of whites who cause feelings of racial hostility by racially abusive comments (Dugard 1978: 178). Used extensively to carry out forced removals. Later amended by the 1973 Bantu (Black) Laws Amendment Act.
Commenced: 1 September 1927, except ss 22, 23 & 36: 1 January 1929. Sections 5(1)-(5) repealed by the Abolition of Influx Control Act No 68 of 1986; repealed in full by the Abolition of Restrictions on Free Political Activity Act No 206 of 1993
1927: October, The Nationality and Flag Act denies Indians the right to become South African citizens by naturalisation.
1927: 12 October, The Indian Agent in South Africa, V.S.S. Sastri, addresses a public meeting in Johannesburg to explain Section 5, concerning the entry of minor Indian children into the Transvaal, of the Immigration and Indian Relief (Further) Provision Act, Act No. 37 of 1927.
1927: 17 November, Thanks to the efforts of the Indian Agent in South Africa, V.S.S. Sastri and C.F. Andrews, the Natal Commission for Indian Education is appointed.
1927: 18 December, Dissidents from the Transvaal British Indian Association (TBIA) (encouraged by the Indian Agent, V.S. Srinivasa Sastri) establish the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC). The TIC affiliates with the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) at the annual conference of SAIC in January 1928.
1928: Communist Party adopts a plan for a “Native Republic”.
1928: The ANC organises workers in Cape rural areas.
1928 - 1929: The Durban Beer Protests occur in opposition to liquor acts that extend the scope of police raids on the brewers, usually women.
1928: Josie Palmer active in campaign against residential permits.
1928: Albert Luthuli is elected Secretary of the African Teachers' Association under the presidency of his friend Z.K. Matthews, principal of Adam's College
1928: The Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) receives orders from Moscow to endorse an Independent Black Republic as a stage towards a workers and peasants republic. Josiah Tshangana Gumede supports the motion and this provoke the African National Congress (ANC).; Allison Wessels George (A.W.G.) Champion is suspended from the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) following financial mismanagement.; Allison Wessels George (A.W.G.) Champion is elected president of a separatist Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) Yase Natal.; William Ballinger arrives from Britain as advisor to the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU).; Winston Z. Conco is born.; Suliman Esakjee is born.; Joe Gqabi is born.; Christina Jasson is born.; Henry (Squire) George Makgothi is born.; Kate Molale is born.; Leslie Sonny Thusbo Monnanyane is born.; Temba D. A. Mqota is born.; Cleopus Sibande is born in Benoni.; Archibald Sibeko is born in Alice in the Cape.; Regina Buthelezi is born.; Barrymore Maritz is born in Pietermaritzburg.
1928: January, South African Trade Union Congress rejects application of ICU for affiliation.; Natal branch of ICU secedes. ICU yase Natal formed under leadership of A.W.G. Champion.
1928: 2 January, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Liquor Bill
Section 104 of the Liquor Bill, prohibiting Indians from entering licensed premises, is withdrawn.
1928: 2 January - 5 January, The affiliation of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) to the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) is accepted at the SAICs annual conference.
1928: 5 January, Phyllis Ruth David is born in Estcourt.
1928: 5 January, Phyllis Naidoo is born in Estcourt.
1928: February, Section 104 of the Liquor Bill of 1927 is withdrawn. If implemented, this section would have prohibited Indians from being employed on any licensed premises.
1928: 25 March, The South African Federation of Non-European Trade Unions is formed.; The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) help establish several Indian trade unions and bring them together in a Natal Workers Congress with NIC officials in key positions.
1928: 30 April, Josiah Gumede is succeeded by Pixley ka Isaka Seme as African National Congress president. Luthuli commented later: “with his ascendancy, the African National Congress shifted several degrees rightwards into almost total moribundancy.”
1928: 27 August; Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi is born.
1928: 28 August; Fatima Meer is born in Grey Street, Durban.
1928: 19 September, The Minister of Public Health appoints the executive committee of the Central Housing Board to enquire into the sanitary and housing conditions of Indians in and around Durban. The Committee becomes known as the Thornton Committee after its chairman, Sir Edward N. Thornton.
1928: 11 October, Zacharias Johannes de Beer is born.
1928: 26 December, Derrick John McBride, Robert McBride's father, is born in his parent's home in Rockey Street, Johannesburg. He is the darkest complexioned middle child in a Coloured family of 4 boys and 1 girl. His mother made obvious her dislike of him because of his darkness, and from the age of 8 he alone was made to do all the domestic work when there was no maid. His bitterness toward his mother prevents him from attending her funeral in 1983.; He suffers childhood taunts and disadvantage because of his colour, and grows to hate Whites. He becomes politically aware from a young age and later develops a drinking problem.
1928: 28 December - 30 December, At a conference held in Johannesburg, the South African Federation is launched with Abdul Karim as President. The Federation repudiates the Cape Town Agreement, as it is opposed to the reduction of the Indian population in South Africa and their repatriation.
1929: Barry Hertzog wins general election.
1929: League of African Rights is formed.
1929: Walter Sisulu returns to Johannesburg after undergoing traditional Xhosa initiation rites back in Transkei. In Johannesburg Sisulu obtained work at a gold mine.
1929: Bhawani Dayal Sannyasi, Vice President of Natal Indian Congress (NIC), President of the All-India Emigrants Conference and a member of the South African Indian Congress deputation to India in 1925, publishes a report on the subject of the repatriation scheme in which he reaches the following conclusions:; 1.The repatriation scheme had failed because it brought great misery upon the repatriates, especially those born in South Africa, who were accustomed to a different standard of living.
2.The caste system in India presented great difficulties to repatriates born of inter-caste marriages in South Africa.
3.The Indian Government had been able to help a few repatriates in South India but hardly any in North India.
4.Foodstuffs in India were very costly. The repatriates would be better off financially in South Africa.
5.The repatriates, especially the skilled workers, found it very difficult to settle happily in India because of climatic conditions and low wages.
6.The repatriation scheme would become increasingly unpopular, as the true facts became known.
7. It was morally wrong to encourage unsuspecting persons to take advantage of the scheme and thereby find themselves in great difficulties in return for which those left behind would be uplifted. It was selfish for those in South Africa to benefit at the expense of the repatriates, as it was immoral for India to support the scheme without ensuring the total assimilation of the repatriates into Indian society.
1929: General Barry Hertzog campaigns for votes to the White Electorate under the banner of the Black Manifesto in which the Swart gevaar (Black danger) is made the central issue.; Minister of Justice, Oswald Pirow leads the police force in Durban, against discontented Africans who are boycotting the Municipal Beer Halls in protest of beer monopoly and other grievances.; The leaders of Joint Councils movement create the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR), a non-partisan body oriented to research and bridge the racial divides.; General Barry Hertzog is re-elected Prime Minister of South Africa.; Clements Kadalie resigns from the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) in an attempt to form an independent workers union with those opposed to William Ballinger.; Isaac Bokala is born in Newclare, Johannesburg.; Martin Luther King is born.; Norman Levy is born.; Leon Levy is born.; Joseph G. Matthews is born.; John Mtini takes part in the anti-pass campaigns.; Peter Papela Nthite is born in Sophiatown, Johannesburg.; Ronald Edwin Press is born.; Emma Mashinini is born in Rosetteville, Johannesburg.
1929: The Johannesburg Bantu Football Association is founded.
1929: January, Clements Kadalie resigns from ICU after disputes with W. G. Ballinger.
1929: January, Clements Kadalie resigns from ICU after disputes with W. G. Ballinger.
1929: January, Sir Kurma Reddi succeeds V.S.S. Sastri as Agent of the Government of India in South Africa.
1929: 1 January, The Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) adopts a programme at the seventh annual conference of the Party.
1929: February, First National European-Bantu Conference.
1929: April, Independent ICU formed under the leadership of Clements Kadalie.
1929: 23 May, Johannes Modise is born in Doornfontein, Johannesburg.
1929: June, National elections. Nationalists gain parliamentary majority. General Hertzog forms government without aid of South African Labour Party).; Africans of Natal boycott municipal beer halls. Demonstrations in Durban around office of ICU yase Natal result in loss of African and European lives.
1929: September, A.W.G. Champion barred from Natal under provisions of Riotous Assemblies (Amendment) Act.
1929: October, The Governor-General of South Africa, the Earl of Athlone, opens Sastri College, a high school for Indian boys, in Durban.
1929: November, Oswald Pirow, Minister of Justice, leads police expedition to Durban to force Africans to pay poll tax).
South African Institute of Race Relations formed.
1929: November, Minister of Justice, Oswald Pirow leads the police force in Durban, against discontented Africans who are boycotting the Municipal Beer Halls in protest of beer monopoly and other grievances,
1929 - 1930: 29 December - 1 January, The tenth annual conference of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) is held in Cape Town. At the Conference, the Indian Agent in South Africa, Sir Kurma Reddie, comes under severe criticism because of the way he is handling the interests of South African Indians.

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1930s

1930: J.T. Gumede is voted out of office as president for being too close to the Communist Party, and is replaced by Pixley Seme.
1930: The formation of the Independent ANC
1930: Fietas, Johannesburg: 'Africans' are moved out of the south of Fietas (between 17th and 24th Streets) to Orlando and ‘Coloured' people and Tamil people moved in.
1930: White women get the vote. This means in effect that the weight of the black vote is decreased from 3.1% to 1.4%. The first restrictions against the urbanisation of black women are introduced. The official government reasons for this are to decrease prostitution and illegal brewing in urban areas.
1930: Minister of Justice, Oswald Pirow pilots the Riotous Assemblies (Amendment) Bill through parliament. This measure empowers him to exile persons seen to be creating hostility between the races, thus giving a new means to controlling radical political movements within South Africa.; Dr. Alfred Bitini (A.B.) Xuma, says in a speech to the Conference of European and Black Christian Associations that he hopes that a possibility exists for inter-racial cooperation.; Prixley Isaka Seme, the founding father the African National Congress (ANC) is elected president and replaces Josiah Tshangana Gumede.; The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General and Journalist attend the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) meeting. He urges the convocation to coordinate opposition to General Barry Hertzogs efforts to influence the British African policy.; Allison Wessels George (A.W.G.) Champion becomes the first African to be banned under the Riotous Assemblies (Amendment) Act. He is exiled to Durban for a three-year period.; Molly Blackburn is born.; Amina Cachalia is born.; Stella Madge Damos is born.; Paul Joseph is born.; Nelson Mandelas father dies.; Joseph Sallie Poonyane Molefi is born in Winburg, Free State.; Billy Nair is born.; Mshiywa Henry Tshabalala is born.
1930: Janruary, Second Non-European Conference, Cape Town).
1930: 3 February, Following problems over Indian trading rights and ownership of property in the municipal areas of Springs, Krugersdorp, and Norwood and Braamfontein in Johannesburg, the Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, appoints a Select Committee to look into the questions of Indian trading rights and ownership of property in the Transvaal.
1930: April, Pixley ka I. Seme elected president of the African National Congress
1930: May, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Amendment) Bill is introduced by Minister of Interior as a result of recommendations of Select Committee. Proposes segregation: *relocation of Indians to designated areas exempted from Gold Law within five years. No protection for those who had acquired interests on proclaimed (mining) land.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Industrial Conciliation Act, 1930.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Wage Amendment Act, 1930.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Women's Enfranchisement Act, 1930
1930: 13 May, The Select Committee, appointed in January 1930 to look into the questions of Indian trading rights and ownership of property in the Transvaal, publishes its report and makes the following recommendations:; 1.Asiatics are in the future to be prevented from acquiring property in any form outside the areas set aside for them.
2.Sections 130 and 131 of the Gold Law is to be strictly enforced after 1 May 1930, even in townships like Springs which were held to be outside Gold Law.
3.Trading licenses are to be issued only to Asiatics who are the lawful owners of the premises that they occupy.; Immediately following the recommendations of the Select Committee, the Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, introduces the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Amendment) Bill. The Bill contains three main provisions concerning the ownership of fixed property by Asiatics in the Transvaal; the occupation of stands in prohibited areas and their residence thereon; and the method of granting trading licences to Asiatics. It thus has as its aim to close every loophole in existing laws and regulations. The Bill sparks widespread protest and is regarded by Indians as a betrayal of the Cape Town Agreement.
1930: 21 May, Riotous Assemblies (Amendment) Act No 19:; Authorised the Governor-General to prohibit the publication or other dissemination of any ‘documentary information ... calculated to engender feelings of hostility between the European inhabitants of the Union on the one hand and any other section of the inhabitants of the Union on the other hand' (Dugard 1978: 177).
Commenced: 21 May 1930
Repealed by s 20 of the Riotous Assemblies Act No 17 of 1956.
1930: June, Clements Kadalie is banned from the Rand.
1930: June, Non-European Convention held in Kimberley as a climax to a campaign of protest meetings and resolutions against the pass laws and the Hertzog Bills. It is attended by more than 100 delegates representing the ANC, the APO, the Indian Congress, the Native Voters Association, the Bantu Union and religious and welfare societies from all over Southern Africa. Dr. Abdurahman elected to the chair.
1930: 9 August, The Government of India sends a telegram to the South African Government in protest against the proposed Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Amendment) Bill.
1930: September, General Hertzog at Imperial Conference in London asks South African voice in British Imperial policy in Africa.
1930: 5 October - 6 October, An emergency conference of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) is held in Johannesburg in order to formulate opposition to the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Amendment) Bill. Sir Kurma Reddi, the Indian Agent in South Africa, addresses the Conference. The Conference calls upon the South African Government to withdraw the Bill and presses for another round-table conference to be held between the South African and Indian Governments. Should the South African Government fail to accept such a conference, it is asked that India shall withdraw its Agent as protest against Bill.
1930: 28 October, Representatives of India, Sir Muhammad Shafi and G.S. Bajpai hold informal talks with Prime Minister, General J.B.M. Hertzog.
1931: The Non-European Conference is held.
1931: Establishment of the Women's section of the Communist Party, as a result of issues such as beer-brewing and food prices.; Fifteen-year old Sarah Rubin, later Carneson, whose parents were founder members of SACP, joins the Young Communist League
1931: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Asiatic Immigration Amendment Act
Indians have to prove the legitimacy of their domicile in the country.
1931: Cracks within the African National Congress (ANC) appear and the organisation fails to organise its structures.; Vus'umuzi Make is born.; Abednego Bhekabantu Ngcobo is born in Natal.
1931: Motherwell, a Scottish professional side, tours South Africa (and again in 1934).
1931: Janruary, Third Non-European Conference, in Bloemfontein, votes to send deputation to Europe.
1931: 28 Janruary, The Government of India formally requests the South African Government to postpone the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Bill pending negotiations between the two Governments concerning a second round-table conference.
1931: 19 April, Kobie Coetsee is born in Ladybrand in the Orange Free State.
1931: 6 May, The Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, announces the postponement of the second reading of the Bill and a tentative date is set for the Second Round-table Conference in December.
1931: July, Abantu-Batho (The People) ceases publication as an African National Congress organ.
1931: December, Communist-sponsored pass-burning campaigns culminating in disturbances in Durban.
1931: 31 December, Dorothy Nomzansi Nyembe is born near Dundee in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
1932: Pixley Seme outlines his reform scheme, desperately seeking to improve the financial matters of the congress.
1932: The Supreme Court removes Pixley Seme's name from the Roll of attorneys.
1932: Hilda Bernstein becomes a member of the South African Labour Party League of Youth.
1932: Anti-Indian Legislation: Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Amendment) Act 35/1932
The Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Act and its subsequent amendments in 1934, 1935 and 1937 establish statutory segregation of Indians in the Transvaal end the state of uncertainty about their status in the Province that has obtained since the passing of Law 3, 1885. It is passed in 1935.
1932: Epainette Moerane (Ma Mofokeng Clan Name) Meets Govan Mbeki at Taylor Street Secondary School.
1932: The Native service contracts increased penalties for law breakers and tightens restrictions on movement by African labourers outside the reserves.; Yusuf Dadoo attends the South African Indian Congress meeting where the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Act is discussed. He is convinced that the South African Indian Congress could only advance in their struggle if they cooperate with national organisations representing African and Coloured people.; Sheena Duncan is born in Johannesburg.; Louis Luyt is born.; Florence Mkhize is born in Natal.; Bernard Ncube is born in Johannesburg.; Sydney Shall is born.; Aidan Walsh is born.; Mandlenkosi Zondi is born.
1932: The South African African Football Association (SAAFA) is formed and it launches the Bakers Cup national tournament.
1932: 4 Janruary, A delegation of the Government of India arrives in South Africa for the second round-table conference with representatives of the South African Government. The delegation is led by Sir Fazli Hussein and the other members are V.S.S. Sastri, Sarojini Naidu, Sir Geoffrey Corbett, Sir dArcy Lindsay, Sir Kurma Reddi and G.S. Bajpai (Secretary).
1932: 12 Janruary, The Second Round-table Conference between the Governments of India and South Africa opens in Cape Town. The South African delegation is led by the Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, and includes the Minister of Land, Oswald Pirow, the Minister of Native Affairs, E.G. Jansen, and Patrick Duncan and G.H. Nicholls as representatives of the opposition South African Party.
1932: 12 January - 4 February, During the Second Round-table Conference between the Governments of India and South Africa, the South African Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, indicates the failure of Cape Town Agreement with regards to the repatriation of Indians and introduces the Colonisation (Emigration) Scheme. In terms of this scheme, a Committee will be appointed to investigate possible outlets or areas abroad, to which South African Indians can be relocated. Malan also produces a signed document by South African Indian leaders, including Advocate Albert Christopher, P.R. Pather and Manilal Gandhi, in which cooperation in a colonising scheme is offered. This issue would later lead to a split in the South African Indian Community with the formation of the Colonial Born and Indian Settlers Association.
1932: 4 February, The Second Round-table Conference between the Governments of India and South Africa ends in Cape Town without any decisions or agreements on the contentious Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Bill of 1930.
1932: March; Start of publication of Bantu World, European-sponsored African newspaper.

Native Service Contract Act.

Report of the Carnegie Commission on the Poor White Problem.
1932: 5 April, The Report on the Second Round-table Conference between the Governments of India and South Africa is released. Indian leaders in South Africa express their disappointment with the results of the Conference and its emphasis on the Scheme of Assisted Emigration.
1932: 18 April, The Minister of the Interior, Dr D.F. Malan, requests the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) to nominate a representative of the South African Indian community to the Colonisation Enquiry Committee.
1932: 25 April, Frene Noshir Ginwala is born.
1932: June, Attempt to apply curfew regulations to African women in the Transvaal sparks discussions of passive resistance against passes.
1932: June, The Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Amendment) Act, Act No. 35 of 1932 becomes law. The Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Act and its subsequent amendments in 1934, 1935 and 1937 establish the statutory segregation of Indians in the Transvaal and end the state of uncertainty about their status in the Province that has existed since the passing of Law 3 of 1885.
1932: 3 August, Sir Kunwar Maharaj Singh arrives in South Africa as the successor to Sir Kurma Reddi as Agent for the Government of India in South Africa. The Indian Government places the Agent at the disposal of the proposed Colonisation Enquiry Committee.
1932: 3 August, The South African Indian Congress convenes a conference in Johannesburg. The Conference adopts a resolution in which it agrees to co-operate with the Indian and South African Governments to find good opportunities for Indians in other countries in terms of the proposed Assisted Emigration Scheme. However, the Conference stresses that this decision is neither an admission that Indians are undesirables nor an acceptance of attempts to reduce the South African Indian population.
1932: 14 August, The Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) holds a mass meeting, attended by one thousand people, to respond to the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Amendment Act. After an emotional appeal by Thambi Naidoo, the meeting resolves to appoint a committee to organize resistance to the Act.
1932: 27 August, The twelfth annual conference of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) is held in Johannesburg. The SAIC President, Sorabjee Rustomjee, supports the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) decision to resist the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Act.
1932: 4 October, The Feetham Commission, led by Mr Justice Feetham, is appointed to enquire into the occupation of proclaimed land in the Transvaal by Coloured persons and to compile a register of persons in legal/ illegal occupation. The Agent-General of India, Kunwar Sir Maharaj Singh, appeals to the Commission on behalf of South African Indians. The Commission is boycotted by the Transvaal and South African Indian Congresses (TIC and SAIC).
1933 - 1933: The ANC goes through a sharp decline
1933: Pixley Seme uses the votes of women to ensure his reelection as president of the African National Congress.
1933: Albert Luthuli becomes President of the African Teachers' Association.
1933: General Barry Hertzog and Jan Smuts form a coalition government.; Farid Ahmed Adams is born in India.; Dennis Goldberg is born in Cape Town.; Tennyson Xola Makiwane is born in the Transkei.; Eric Ngcobo is born near Melmoth, Zululand.
1933: The South African Bantu Football Association (SABFA) and the South African Coloured Football Association (SACFA) are formed.
1933: March; General Hertzog invites General Smuts to form coalition government.
1933: 29 March; Stanley Mogoba is born in Ga-Mphahlele, Polokwane.
1933: May, National elections. Coalition parties win overwhelming parliamentary majority. Fusion government formed with General Hertzog as prime minister and General Smuts as deputy prime minister.; General Hertzog and General Smuts joined to form the United Party. A small number of Nationalists, under Dr. Malan, retained the Nationalist Party.
1933: 16 June, The new Minister of the Interior in the Coalition Government, J.H. Hofmeyr, appoints the Indian Colonisation Enquiry Committee and announces the Committee's terms of reference and composition. Known as the Young Committee after its Chairman, James Young, its other members are G. Heaton Nicholls, P.K. Kincaid and a nominee of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC).
1933: 9 July, The Executive of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) meets in Durban and appoints S.R. Naidoo as the SAIC's nominee to the Young Committee. Albert Christopher, Manilal Gandhi and P.R. Pather, arguing for non-cooperation with the Committee, strongly condemn the appointment.
1933: 23 July, Twenty-two leading Indian leaders, including Manilal Gandhi, Albert Christopher and P.R. Pather, calls for a mass meeting to protest the decision of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) to cooperate with the Young Committee.
1933: 28 July, The Young Commission, charged with investigating possible outlets or areas abroad to which South African Indians can be relocated, begins its work.
1933: August, Albert Christopher, Manilal Gandhi, S.L. Singh and P.R. Pather form the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA). Christopher becomes President; Manilal Gandhi, Vice-President; S.L. Singh and A. Haffejee secretaries; and K.K. Pillay and P.G. Naicker (father of Dr. G.M. Naicker) treasurers. The formation of the CBSIA is essentially in protest against the cooperation of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) and the Government of India with the Young Committee.
1933: 19 August - 20 August, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) holds an Emergency Conference in Johannesburg. The Conference, opened by the Indian Agent-General, Kunwar Maharaj Singh, sanctions a policy of cooperation with the Young Committee and confirms the nomination of S. R. Naidoo to the Committee. Manilal Gandhi, Albert Christopher and Transvaal Indian Congress delegates C.K.T. Naidoo, B.L.E. Sigamoney, P.S. Joshi, E. Mall and S.B. Medh oppose the SAIC line.
1933: 24 August, A meeting of the Colonial Born and Indian Settlers Association (CBSIA) at the Durban City Hall is attended by Sir Kunwar Maharaj Singh, the Indian Agent in South Africa, and his wife. Lady Maharaj Singh brings the rowdy meeting to order.
1933: September, Members of the Colonial Born and Indian Settlers Association's (CBSIA) Pietermaritzburg branch, armed with knives, knuckledusters, bicycle chains and iron rods, disrupt a meeting in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and the police is called in.
1933: 23 September, A. Christopher and P.R. Pather address meetings in Pretoria and Johannesburg. These meetings are disrupted by Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) supporters of S.M. Nana.
1933: 31 December, The first provincial conference of the Colonial Born and Indian Settlers Association (CBSIA) is held in Durban.
1934: The Slums Act is passed.; The Feetham Commission is set up; Eighteen year old Sarah Carneson joins the SACP. She teaches workers to read and write at the SACP's night school.
1934: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Slums Act
This Act is aimed at improving conditions in locations, but actually expropriates Indian property.
1934: The fusion of South African Party (SAP) and National Party (NP) results in the formation of the United Party (UP) with General Barry Hertzog as its leader.; The Slums Act is passed.This Act enforces the demolition of slums and expropriates with the ultimate aim of segregation.; Nomzamo Zaniewe Winnifred Mandela is born at Bizana in Pondoland, Transkei.; Esther Susanna Mentz travels to Germany to study music and acting.; Moosa (Mosie) Mohammed Moolla is born.; Francis William Reitz dies.; Jonas Malheiro Savimbi is born.
1934: Motherwell, a Scottish professional side, tours South Africa for a second time, after an earlier visit in 1931.
1934: 9 Janruary, The South African Indian Congress presents a statement to the Young Committee, requesting full citizenship rights for Indians in South Africa.
1934: 7 February, The Young Committee, charged with investigating possible outlets or areas abroad to which South African Indians can be relocated, completes its work.
1934: 16 February, The British Indian Union of East London dissolves and forms the Colonial Born and Indian Settlers Association (CBSIA)(East London).
1934: 26 February, The Young Committee publishes its recommendations on the proposed Indian Assisted Emigration Scheme. The Committee identifies British North Borneo, British New Guinea and British Guiana as suitable for Indian colonisation. However, the Committee's findings are not not taken seriously and the Committee expires. Though a few Indians do emigrate, Scheme of Assisted Emigration continues, until suspended during WWII.
1934: 8 May, Sibusiso Bengu is born.
1934: July, 'Purified' Nationalist Party formed under leadership of Daniel Malan.
1934: 8 October, Kader Asmal is born in Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal.
1934: 28 November, Bertha (Mashaba) Gxowa is born in Germiston.
1934: December, United Party formed by majority of supporters of Nationalist Party and South Africa Party. General Hertzog is leader; General Smuts deputy.
1935: The National Liberation League for Equality, Land and Freedom launched with Mrs. Zaibunnissa (Cissy) Gool as president and James la Guma as general secretary. Its foundation conference adopts a programme and constitution pledged to 'unite all individuals, organisations and other bodies in agreement with the programme of the League to struggle for complete social, political and economic equality of Non-Europeans in South Africa', reflecting the need for unity against the white minority.
1935: The National Council for African Women founded at the All African Convention with Charlotte Maxeke as president. This organisation is concerned with women's welfare and members are usually teachers and nurses.
1935: The first group of Indian girls matriculate in South Africa
1935: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Rural Dealers Licensing Ordinance, Natal.
This Ordinance causes the refusal of licenses to people whose properties have depreciated in value or whose licenses endangers the comfort and health of neighbours.
1935: Albert Luthuli is elected Chief by the people of Groutville Mission Reserve, and he subsequently leaves Adam's College.
1935: A Natives Representative Council (NRC) is created; Satyandranath (Mac) Maharaj is born.; Lionel E. Morrison is born.; Mzwakhe Mbatha is born.
1935: The Transvaal Inter-Race Soccer Board is formed by Africans, Indians, and Coloureds.; The Suzman Cup, the first official inter-racial tournament between Africans, Coloureds, and Indians, is established.
1935: Govan Mbeki joins the African National Congress.
1935: February, Sir Syed Reza Ali becomes the new Agent of the Government of India to South Africa.
1935: 15 February, The All African Convention (AAC) passes a resolution regarding the abolition of the Cape Native Franchise.
1935: May, Joint Select Committee of Parliament table two measures: the Representation of Native Bill and the Native Trust and the Land Bill.
1935: 18 May, The South African Communist Party (SACP) urged people to fight for the retaining of the Cape Native Franchise.; Rev. Z. R. Mahabanes national convention statement appears in the Bantu World
1935: June, The Feetham Commission releases Parts I & II of its report.
1935: June, News report and resolution of the conference called by the Transvaal African Congress.
1935: August, Introduction of pamphlet regarding the Native Bills views.
1935: 6 September - 7 September, News report and resolution of the conference of chiefs and leaders in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, which is convened by government.
1935: October, The Feetham Commission releases Part III of its report. The Commission recommends that some 202 acres of land on the Rand be exempted from the Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure Act for occupation and ownership by Indians.
1935: December, Calls for a conference of all African organizations by Professor D.D.T. Jabavu results in 400 delegates attending the All-African Convention in Bloemfontein. Albert Luthuli does not attend.
1935: 15 December, The All African Convention delegates arrive on a Sunday morning and register with the local committee at the office of Mr. Thomas. M. Mapikela, Chief Headman of all Bloemfontein locations.
1935: 15 December, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu, Prixley Ka Isaka Seme, President of the African National Congress (ANC), Africans from different political spectrums and from all sections of South Africa convene at Community Hall, Bloemfontein. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Jabavu, delegates draft comprehensive resolutions on African grievances and resolve to constitute the All African Convention (AAC), an organised body that intends to promote African rights through boycotts. The AAC chooses Bloemfontein because of its historical significance, as it was here on 8 January 1912 that the South African National Native Congress (SANNC) was founded. (This happens at the same time that Afrikaners are celebrating the ninety-eighth anniversary of the Voortrekker victory over the Zulus at the Battle off Blood River in 1838).
1935: 15 December - 18 December, Proceedings and resolutions of the All African Convention (AAC) take place. It is agreed that All African inhabitants of the union to observe Sunday, 19 January 1936 as a day of universal humiliation and intercession in their places of worship, public gatherings. Prayers are to be offered for Gods guidance and intervention of the pending disfranchisement of the Cape Natives by the Parliament of South Africa. The following resolutions by Mr. L. T. Mtimkulu is carried out:-That the resolutions on the Representation of Natives Bill and Native Land and Trust Bill be submitted to parliament by a deputation of Africans during the next session of parliament.-The said deputation to present the viewpoint of the AAC held at Bloemfontein on 16 December 1935 at the bar of the House of Assembly.The deputation is instructed to submit to parliament that in its opinion (AAC), no permanent or peaceful solution of the franchise or land question is possible unless it is the result of mutual agreement between representatives of White and Black races, which is only possible by means of a round-table or similar conference.
1935: 16 December, The CPSA calls for a united front campaign against the pass laws culminating in the burning of passes throughout the country on December 16, Dingane's Day. Johannes Nkosi and 3 other African workers attending a demonstration in Durban are shot, stabbed and beaten to death by police.
1935: 16 December, Afrikaners celebrates ninety-eighth anniversary of their victory over the Zulus.; John Tengo Jabavu and Prixley Isaka Seme and a host of politicians meet in Bloemfontein resolve to constitute the All African Convention (AAC).; Those present at the All African Convention (AAC) are Dr. John Langalibalele Dube, Rev. Z. R. Mahabane, Dr. Alfred Bitini (A.B.) Xuma and Dr. James Sebe (J. S.) Moroka, J. B. Marks, Edwin Mofutsanyane of the Communist Party of South Africa (CP), Clements Kadalie of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), tribal chiefs (members of the Transkei Bunga), respected church dignitaries, elected members of the Urban Advisory Boards, prominent women, professional men, and representatives of a score of local organisations, including Coloureds from left-wing circles in Cape Town.; The All African Conventions (AAC) discussion focuses on the pending Native Bills, but the most condemnation of the delegates is directed to the entire post-union trend of government policy. The Native Representative Council (NRC). The NRC is regarded as unacceptable. The proposals, which are contained in the Native Trust and Land Bill, are rejected as in inadequate for satisfaction of African demands for land.; The All African Convention (AAC) demands reconsideration of oppressive laws such as the Riotous Assemblies Act, the Native Service Contract Act, Poll Tax Act, and the Pass Laws. John Gomas, a Cape Town Coloured Communist proposes that mass protest meetings be organised throughout South Africa in opposition in opposition of these Acts.
1936: FW de Klerk is born in Johannesburg; African voters transferred to a separate roll.; Zainunnisa Cissie Gool founds the National Liberation League, and becomes the first President 1938-1951.
1936: The government sets up a Commission of Inquiry into African education. The Commission points to problems with the system, but virtually nothing is done to improve things.
1936: Dr. Yusuf Dadoo returns to practice in South Africa after obtaining a medical degree in Edinburgh. He subsequently joins the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) and is offered a position on the executive of TIC, which he refuses.
1936: Chamberlain Nakasa, brother of Nat Nakasa and compositor and columnist on African affairs in ”Indian Views” weekly, starts a monthly journal called New Outlook. The editorial board consists of himself, B. Asher, Dr. Goonam, Farooqi Mehtar and I.C. Meer. A radical journal, New Outlook lasts for a short time. New Outlook is followed by Call, published by H.A. Naidoo, Cassim Amra, D.A. Seedat, George Ponen, A.K.M. Docrat and others who later become active in the Liberal Study Group.
1936: Cape African Voters are removed from the voters roll.; All African Convention (AAC) deputation led by John Tengo Jabavu meets Prime Minister Barry Hertzog in Cape and expresses its opposition to the Representation of Natives Bill.; I. B. Mbelle alleges that Jan Smuts had said in 1926 that if Natives of the Cape were deprived of the vote, it would be a direct violation of the constitution.; Industrial Conciliation Act No 36:It provides for the registration and regulation of trade unions and employers organisations, the settlement of disputes between employers and employees, and the regulation of conditions of employment.Repealed by section 56 of the Industrial Conciliation Act No 28 of 19.; The Development Trust and Land Act no 18 of 1936: This Act compliments the Representation of Natives Act of 1936 in that it allows for a further 6.2 million hectares of land to be added to the African reserves under the 1913 Land Act. It also establishes the South African Native Trust, which became the Bantu Trust and then later the Development Trust. The function of the Trust is to acquire and administer all released land. This means that African people are not permitted to own land in their own right.; Neville Edward Alexander is born; Martha Mohlakoane joins the African National Congress (ANC).; Theophilus Kgosikobo Musi is born.; Lionel Davis is born in Cape Town.; The All African Conventions Executive Committee deputation led by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T) Jabavu meets with Prime Minister Barry Hertzog and other government officials in Cape Town. Their discussion centres on the acts that were passed in South Africa in 1935. The Act segregates and limits African rights. Hertzog offers a compromise: the retention of the Cape African Franchise but the removal of all registered African voters from the common voters roll but, instead, they vote for the same candidates as the Whites, on a separate roll which would elect three White members to the Cape Provincial Council.; Prime Minister Barry Hertzog refuses to allow postponement in the passing of some of the Bills and having some of the Act looked at again. The All African Convention (AAC) deputation led by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T) Jabavu reaffirms its opposition to the Bills in the strongest possible manner; as it did in its meeting in December 1935.; Selby Msimang, Secretary General of the All African Convention (AAC) expresses his view in an article published in The Crisis. He argues that Parliament and White South Africans have disowned Africans of their belongings and flirted with their loyalty.; Max Yergan is elected All African Convention (AAC)s secretary of External Affairs having left South Africa for New York.
1936: The Godfrey South African Challenge Cup is established
1936: The All African Conventions Executive Committee deputation led by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T) Jabavu meets with Prime Minister Barry Hertzog and other government officials in Cape Town. Their discussion centres around the acts which segregated and limited African rights and were passed in South Africa in 1935. Hertzog offers a compromise: the retention of the Cape African Franchise but the removal of all registered African voters from the common voters roll where they would vote for the same candidates as the Whites but a separate roll would be established in order to elect three White members to the Cape Provincial Council.
1936: Prime Minister Barry Hertzog refuses to allow postponement in the passing of some of the Bills and having some aspects of the Act looked at again. The All African Convention (AAC) deputation led by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T) Jabavu reaffirm its opposition to the Bills in the strongest possible manner as it did in its meeting in December 1935.
1936: Selby Msimang, Secretary General of the All African Convention (AAC) expresses his view in an article published in The Crisis. He argues that Parliament and White South Africans have dispossessed Africans of their belongings and toyed with their loyalty.
1936: It is found that the All African Convention (AAC) has a budget of 100 British Pounds. The bulk of which was spent on printing conference minutes.
1936: Max Yergan is elected All African Convention (AAC)s secretary of External Affairs after leaving South Africa for New York.
1936: Janruary, The rank the representative of the Indian Government in South Africa is raised from ”Agent” to ”Agent-General”.
1936: 18 Janruary, Sir Reza Ali, the Indian Agent-General to South Africa, marries a Hindu, Miss Ponnoosammy. This causes a furor and several Hindu officials and Sorabjee Rustomjee resign from the leadership of Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the South African Indian Congress (SAIC). The leadership of the NIC passes to A.I. Kajee and other Muslims.
1936: February, The fifteenth annual conference of the South African Indian Congress is held in Durban and attended by the Indian Agent-General, Sir Reza Ali.
1936: 14 February, The All African Convention (AAC) holds a public meeting to clear the air. Here they decide they would not accept any compromise in contravention of the mandate from December 1935 Bloemfontein convention. They also plan to issue a unity resolution outlining the AAC position; but Umteteli wa Bantu (The mouthpiece of the people) beat them by taking their intended press release to the masses before they could do it.
1936: 15 February, Umteteli wa Bantu (The mouthpiece of the African people) reports that the delegation that went to Cape Town led by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu made a compromise with General Barry Hertzog. Jabavus acceptance of the separate voters roll signalled the end of his political career as he lost respect within the All African Convention (AAC) Executive Committee. The blame was laid entirely on him.
1936: 15 February, The All African Convention (AAC) passes a resolution regarding the abolition of the Cape Native Franchise.
1936: 15 February, Umteteli wa Bantu (The mouthpiece of the African people) reports that the delegation that went to Cape Town led by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu made a compromising agreement with General Barry Hertzog. Jabavus acceptance of the separate voters roll signalled the end of his political career as he lost respect within the All African Convention (AAC) Executive Committee. The blame was laid entirely on him.
1936: March; Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu issues a statement through the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) denying that the All African Convention (AAC) did not accept a compromise Bill.
1936: 18 March; Frederick Willem (F. W.) de Klerk is born in Johannesburg.
1936: April, The Representation of Natives Act no 16 of 1936:The Bills proposed by General Barry Hertzog in the 1920s finally got the two-thirds majority required to be passed into law 1936, when the Development Trust and Land Act (also referred to as the Native Trust and Land Act and Bantu Trust and Land Act) and the Representation of Natives Act are enacted. The Representation of Natives Act essentially strips African people in the Cape of their voting rights and offers instead a limited form of parliamentary representation, through special white representatives. Under this Act, a Natives Representative Council (NRC), which is a purely advisory body, is also created. The NRC could make recommendations to Parliament or the Provincial Councils â€ æon any legislation regarded as being in the interest of natives.
1936: April, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu writes to Jan Hofmeyr thanking him for voting against the Representation of Natives in Parliament Bill. The Bill was passed by a vote of 168 to 11.
1936: 7 April, The Representation of Natives Bill is passed at the joint sitting of parliament. Eleven members of parliament including Jan Hofymeyr votes against the Bill with 169 in support.
1936: May, The Native Trust and Land Bill becomes a law.
1936: 28 May, The Minister of the Interior, J.H. Hofmeyr, introduces a Bill to give legal form to the Feetham Commission's recommendations, namely the Asiatic Land Tenure Amendment Act. The Bill, as amended by the Select Committee comes up for a second reading. The Indian Agent-General, Sir Syed Raza Ali, fearing that a second reading will remove elements favourable to Indians, gives evidence in Parliament favouring voluntary segregation in an attempt to prevent second reading. The South African Indian community is outraged at the suggestion of voluntary segregation.
1936: June, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D.T.) Jabavu delivers a presidential speech at the All African Convention (AAC) two months after the passing of the Native Bills.; The Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) newspaper Umsebenzi (The Worker) backs Umteteli wa Bantu (The mouthpiece of the people) in saying that the All African Convention (AAC) is wasting time on things of less importance. The CPSA sees AAC as a parliament for Africans, and wants action, unity and leadership.
1936: 3 June, The Programme of Action which the All African Convention (AAC) adopts is not what the General Secretary Selby Msimang was anticipating. He resigns from the AAC and joins the African National Congress (ANC).
1936: 16 June, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Asiatic Land Tenure Amendment Act, 30/1936
The Asiatic Land Tenure Amendment Act, 30/1936 is passed.
Minister of Interior empowered to exempt further areas for Indian occupation with possibility of freehold title.
Act accepts policy of segregation. Indians to be confined to separate areas.; Anti-Indian Legislation: Native Representation Act, Act 12 of 1936.
1936: 29 June, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D.T.) Jabavu addresses the All African Convention (AAC) meeting.
1936: 29 June, The All African Convention (AAC) reconvenes two months after the passing of the Native Bills into law. Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T) Jabavu, is elected president of the AAC and address the meeting.
1936: 10 July, Representation of Blacks Act No 12:; Removed black voters in the Cape from the common roll and placed them on a separate roll (Dugard 1978: 90). Blacks throughout the Union were then represented by four white senators.
Commenced: 10 July 1936
Repealed by s 15 of the Representation between the Republic of South Africa and self-governing Territories Act No 46 of 1959.
1936: 28 August, The Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) hosts a banquet to honour a delegation of South African Members of Parliament, led by J.H. Hofmeyr, the Minister of the Interior, to India.
1936: 31 August, Development Trust and Land Act No 18:It expanded the reserves to a total of 13, 6 per cent of the land in South Africa and authorises the Department of Bantu Administration and Development to eliminate black spots (black-owned land surrounded by white-owned land) (Horrell 1978: 203). The South African Development Trust (SADT) is established and could, in terms of the Act, acquire land in each of the provinces for black settlement (RRS 1991/92: 381).Commences: 31 August 1936. Repealed by Proc R 28 of 1992, 31 March 1992 (phasing out and abolishing the SADT in terms of the Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act No 108 of 1991).
1936: 19 September, A South African Parliamentary delegation consisting of eleven Members of Parliament, led by J.H. Hofmeyr, Minister of the Interior, arrive in Bombay, India. The visit, solely for the purpose of courtesy and goodwill and not for negotiations, will last 26 days. The delegation consists of J. H. Hofmeyr, Minister of the Interior; J. G. Kemp, Minister of Lands; Members of Parliament J. G. Derbyshire, Dr. N.J. Van der Merwe, Leif Egeland, and M.J. Van den Berg; P. I. Hoogenhout, Secretary of the Interior; P.F. Kincaid, Commissioner for Immigration and Asiatic Affairs; and C. J. Dames and K.V. Penzhorn, the Private Secretaries of the two Ministers.
1936: December, Seth Govind Das, member of the Central Legislative Assembly of India, visits South Africa on behalf of the Indian National Congress and advises Indians not to accept any qualified franchise.
1936: December, The All African Convention (AAC) states that:-The AAC hereby expresses its utmost condemnation of the savage and the unprovoked and unwanted attack made by Italy upon Abyssinia (later renamed Ethiopia) and declares as its considered opinion that the ruthless action of Italy can only be regarded as large scale violence against fundamental human rights.-Further the convention sees in this action of Italy a continuation of the game of grab, which the imperialist nations of Europe have played in this continent whereby millions of inhabitants have become deprived of their land, exploited and robbed of their labour.-The convention hereby declares its conviction that imperialism, which has thus resulted in the ruthless destruction of African culture, is an evil force to be exposed, condemned and resisted.The AAC further declares that:The AAC recognises the value and desirability of establishing contacts with Africans and African organisations in other parts of the world. To this end the AAC believes that a call to an international conference of Africans and international people of African descent should receive serious consideration by its Executive Committee.; Industrial Conciliation Act No 36:; Provided for the registration and regulation of trade unions and employers' organisations, the settlement of disputes between employers and employees, and the regulation of conditions of employment.
Repealed by s 56 of the Industrial Conciliation Act No 28 of 1956; Black (Native) Laws Amendment Act No 46:; Prohibited acquisition of land in urban areas by blacks from non-blacks except with the Governor-General's consent (Horrell 1978: 3).
Commenced: 1 January 1938
Sections repealed by the Abolition of Influx Control Act No 68 of 1986 and the Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act No 108 of 1991. The only section remaining in force is s 36, which amended s 7 of the Agricultural Holdings (Transvaal) Registration Act 22 of 1919 and has no discriminatory implications.
1937: Very strict regulations are introduced regarding the urbanisation of women as part of influx control.
1937: Anti-Indian Legislation: The Marketing and Unbeneficial Land Occupation Act 26/1937
This Act debars Indians from holding seats on regulatory boards. It also controls imports and exports to South Africa.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Native Administration Amendment Act 9/37; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Industrial Conciliation Act 36/1937.
This Act introduces the colour bar in trade unions.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Further Amendment) Act, 1937.
Indians are prohibited from employing whites.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Immigration Amendment Act.
Children born outside of South Africa are deprived of rights enjoyed by South African Indians.
1937: The twenty-fifth year of the African National Congress (ANC) marks the beginning of a transitional period in African politics. The ANC begins slowly to revive while continuing to employ tactics of representation through resolutions, deputations and meetings.; Black (Native) Laws Amendment Act No 46:; Prohibits the acquisition of land in urban areas by blacks from Whites except with the Governor-Generals consent (Horrell 1978: 3).
Commences: 1 January 1938
Sections repeals by the Abolition of Influx Control Act No 68 of 1986 and the Abolition of Racially Based Land Measures Act No 108 of 1991. The only section remaining in force is section 36, which amends section 7 of the Agricultural Holdings (Transvaal) Registration Act 22 of 1919 and has no discriminatory implications; Frederick John Harris is born.; Ezrom Kgobonyane Sebata Legae is born in Vrededorp, Johannesburg.; Dan Rakgoathe is born in Randfontein, Gauteng.; Andrew Clement Verster is born.
1937: Orlando Pirates is founded.; The SAAFAs (South African African Football Association) Bakers Cup is renamed the Moroka-Baloyi Cup.
1937: Janruary, Sir Syed Reza Ali, Indian Agent-General, advises Indians to accept qualified franchise. This is contrary to advice given by Seth Govind Das and indicates the division between the Indian Government (colnial and British-controlled) and the Indian National Congress, comprised of people like Gandhi, Nehru, Seth Govind Das and Sarojini Naidu.; The Marketing Act, Act No. 26 of 1937 debars Indians from holding seats on regulatory boards. While the Marketing Bill was still under Parliamentary discussion, the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) sent a deputation to the Minister of Agriculture, Deneys Reitz, in protest, but to no avail.; The Native Administration Amendment Act, Act No. 9 of 1937 prohibits Indians and other persons of colour from employing whites.; The Industrial Conciliation Act, Act No. 36 of 1937 introduces the colour bar in trade unions.; Transvaal Asiatic Land Tenure (Further Amendment) Act of 1937 is passed.
1937: 1 February, Aliens Act No 1:; Restricted and regulated the entry of certain aliens into the Union and regulated the right of any person to assume a surname.
Commenced: 1 February 1937
Repealed by s 33 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act No 51 of 1992.
1937: 22 February, JJ Pienaar (United Party) and JH Grobler introduce 3 Bills:; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Mixed Marriages Bill.
This Bill aims to prohibit marriage between Asiatics, Europeans and Africans. It is not passed, but a Mixed Marriages Commission is appointed.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Provincial Legislative Powers Extension Bill
This Bill aims to refuse trading licenses to non-Europeans who employ white people.; Anti-Indian Legislation: The Transvaal Asiatic Land Bill.
This Bill aims to deny right of owning property to any white woman married to a non-European.
1937: June, The 1936 Representation of Natives Act is the recognised and accepted mouthpiece of Africans in their various representative state chambers.
1937: June, The All African Convention (AAC) recognises the 1936 Representation of Native Act as the accepted mouthpiece for Africans in their various representative state chambers.
1937: December, Delegates at the All African Convention (AAC) representing thirty-nine organisations adopt a constitution calling for the affiliation of all African religious, educational, industrial, economic, political, commercial and social organisations within its ranks.; Executive Committee issues the policy of All African Convention (AAC); Constitution of the All African Convention (AAC) is drafted; Delegates of the All African Convention (AAC) representing thirty-nine organisations, including three provincial sections of the African National Congress (ANC) adopts a constitution which invites the affiliation of all African religions, educational, industrial, economic, political, commercial and organisations.; The All African Convention (AAC) constitution is ratified. The AAC decides to meet every three years.; The Third All African Convention (AAC) conference to promote the interests of Blacks convenes in Bloemfontein. Only 130 members attend a far cry from the 400 delegates that attended AAC's first meeting in 1935.; Professor Z. K. Matthews favours the disenfranchising of all Africans in order to promote unity. Matthews remains a member of the All African Convention (AAC) until 1943.; Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu is re-elected president of the All African Convention (AAC).; P. Mda dismisses the All African Convention as devoid of substance and inspiration.; Dr. Alfred. Bitini (A. B.) Xuma, Vice-President of the All African Convention (AAC) states that, Anyone who will endeavour to wreck the principle of unity that gave birth to the All African Convention will be doing so for personal reasons and will be a traitor to Africa. Yet the AAC is not united within.; Despite internal conflict, the All African Convention (AAC) proclaims itself the voice of Africans. It devotes itself to act in unity in developing political and economic power.
1937: 11 December, Adriaan Johannes Vlok is born in Sutherland, Cape Town.
1938: Sarah Carneson works for National Union of Distributive Workers and is secretary of the Tobacco workers' Union.; Cissie Gool represents District Six on the Cape Town City Council. She is the only woman Councillor for many years and the first coloured woman to sit on the council. She serves on the council until 1951
1938: Phyllis, ten years old, accompanies her father to an Institute of Race Relations Conference where she is deeply disturbed at a reference to an African man as boy.; Albert Luthuli visits India as one of several delegates to the International Missionary Conference in Tambaram, Madras, India.; Govan Mbeki receives a telegram about a job offer from the Clakesburg Institute, a Teacher Training College in Transkei.
1938: February, The Indian Agent-General in South Africa, Sir Syed Raza Ali, returns to India. The new Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, arrives in May.; The Commission on Mixed Marriages, under the chairmanship of Mr Charles de Villiers, is appointed to investigate the issue of mixed marriages. In its report, the Commission later found no justification for legislation to prevent the White or Cape Malay wives of Asiatics from owning property, but recommended legislation prohibiting marriages between Whites and Blacks.
1938: 3 February, The Transvaal Asiatic Land Laws Commission is appointed to report on the evasions of Asiatics of restrictive measures concerning the use, occupation and ownership of land. At a conference called by the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC), a proposal ”to offer cooperation” to the Transvaal Asiatic Land Laws Commission is defeated by 56 votes to 44 due to opposition by Dr. Yusuf Dadoo and others.
1938: April, The Coloured National Liberation League convenes a conference in Cape Town. At the conference, African, Coloured and Indian delegates representing 45 organisations decide to form to form the Non-European United Front (NEUF). Cissie Gool is elected President. Subsequently, a branch of the NEUF is formed in the Transvaal with Ebrahim Asvat as President, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo as secretary and includes J.B. Marks and others.
1938: April - May, The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) is revitalised after former members, who resigned from the NIC following the former Indian Agent-General, Sir Syed Raza Alis marriage, rejoins the Congress.
1938: 18 April, The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) meet to hammer out an agreement on reconciliation.
1938: 30 April, The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) both hold special meetings to discuss a merger of the two organisations.
1938: May, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, the new Indian Agent-General, arrives in South Africa. He would remain in office until April 1941. He immediately begins work to bring the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) together in Natal.
1938: 1 May, Swami Bhawani Dayal is elected President of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) - the first Hindu to be elected as NIC President since the formation of NIC in 1894.
1938: 4 May, Anti-Indian Legislation: The Asiatics (Transvaal Land and Trading) Bill
The Union Government introduces the Asiatics (Transvaal Land and Trading) Bill, which provides protection of Indians in exempted areas for two years; certificates for trading licences to be authorized by Minister of Interior; Asiatics not allowed to appoint nominees to buy land and obtain trading licences on their behalf.
1938: 4 May, The Union Government introduces the Asiatic (Transvaal Land and Trading) Bill, which provides for the protection of Indians in exempted areas for two years and for certificates for trading licences to be authorised by the Minister of Interior. Asiatics are not allowed to appoint nominees to buy land and obtain trading licences on their behalf. The Bill elicits protests from India, but eventually becomes law as the Asiatics (Transvaal Land and Trading) Act, Act No. 28 of 1939.
1938: June, The Minister of the Interior, Mr Stattaford, announces the Servitude Scheme after meeting with a deputation from the conference of the Pretoria Ratepayers Associations. He informs the deputation that the would propose to the Government that legislation be introduced providing that, in cases where sixty per cent or more of the owners of property desired it, servitudes in respect of such properties be registered free of charge to prohibit the sale to, or hire of such properties by, Indians (Muthal, Tyranny of Colour: 232).
1938: 15 November, Ronald Kastrils is born in Yeoville, Johannesburg.
1938: December, The unity of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) is short-lived. A.I. Kajee and Swami Bhawani Dayal re-establish the NIC.
1938: 9 December - 10 December, The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) Conference passes resolutions regarding penetration, industrial legislation, education, social welfare and trade. Government attitudes and actions are severely criticised.
1939: James Calata tours the union in the hope that dormant ANC branches could be revived.; The Non-European Front is formed.
1939: Fietas, Johannesburg:The Asiatic Land Tenure and Trading Act is passed. This Act states that Indians may only live where they had lived prior to 30 May 1939, and that they may continue to live where ‘coloured' people occupied land before 30 May 1939.
1939: Fietas, Johannesburg:'Coloured' people start rent boycotts against ‘slumlords' in Pageview. They voluntarily moved to the Coronation Township and Albertsville.
1939: Hertzog and Smuts differed violently on joining the war.; Hertzog reunited with Malan in the Nationalist Party returned to power, though with a minority of votes.
1939: Aliens Registration Act No 26:; Provided for the registration and control of aliens.
Assent gained: 14 June 1939; commencement date not found.
Repealed by s 60 of the Aliens Control Act No 96 of 1991
1939: Govan Mbeki publishes Transkei in the Making a work of political analysis which is deeply critical of the system of local government in the Transkei.
1939: March; Dr Yusuf Dadoo forms the Nationalist Bloc in the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC).
1939: 1 March; The Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) calls a meeting called to protest latest anti-Indian measures (including the proposed servitude scheme of the Minister of the Interior, Mr Richard Stuttaford). The meeting is attended by one thousand people - a large number as the total Indian population of Transvaal numbers only about 25,000 at this time. S. M. Nana, the secretary of the TIC, moves a resolution to protest the proposed anti-Asian measures. Dr Yusuf Dadoo moves an amendment to declare a definite policy of Passive Resistance and to set up a Council of Action to devise ways and means to start a passive resistance campaign if the servitude scheme is introduced in Parliament. He also calls for cooperation with other non-white organisations. The amendment receives a large majority, but there is heated dispute as to whether the amendment has been carried. The older group of the TIC opposes vigorous measures of protest in the hope that the Feetham recommendations will be accepted by parliament. Nana offers to resign, but the President, M.E. Valod, declares that no passive resistance Council of Action will be set up.
1939: April, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an Indian philosopher and statesman, visits South Africa.; The first national conference of the Non-European United Front (NEUF) is held in Cape Town. The national committee of the NEUF includes:; Mrs. Zainunnissa (Cissie) Gool, Chairperson
Moses Kotane, Secretary
R.G. Baloyi, Senior Vice-President
W.H. Andrews, Treasurer
H.A. Naidoo
Yusuf Dadoo; The Conference is attended by 125 delegates representing 83 organisations, including trade unions, religious, social, sporting and civic bodies. Officers of the Natal branch of the NEUF, formed subsequent to the Conference, include Cassim Amra, D.A. Seedat and Dr. Goonam.
1939: 7 May, A mass meeting of Indians, organised by the Nationalist Bloc of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC), is held at Patidar Hall, Johannesburg, under the Chairmanship of E.I. Asvat, and attended by 3,000 people. Dr. Yusuf Dadoo is elected to lead Passive Resistance against what becomes the Asiatic (Transvaal Land and Trading) Act of 1939. The meeting maintains that the Union governments proposal for Indians is linked to an acceptance of segregation and pegging legislation. A Passive Resistance Council of 25 persons is appointed for the campaign.
1939: 4 June, The Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) leadership calls another protest meeting and gangs of thugs appear with lethal weapons. They begin beating members of the Nationalist Bloc. Dr. Yusuf Dadoo escapes narrowly and one of his supporters, Dahyabhai (Dayabhai) Govindji, is disembowelled and dies on 8 June. Nine other persons are injured four seriously and hospitalised. All those injured are supporters of the Nationalist Bloc. The five Indians arrested by the police in connection with this incident are relatives of S. M. Nana and A.I. Kajee. One is an executive member of the TIC. The accused are released on bail, but the Attorney-General withdraws charges against them after the magistrate commits them for trial. The funeral of the victim becomes a major political event, drawing thousands of people. The violence leads to revulsion against the Valod-Nana group in the TIC leadership and Transvaal Indian support swings to Dadoo.
1939: 9 July, At a meeting of 6,000 Indians, held at the Indian Sports Ground in Johannesburg under the chairmanship of E. I. Asvat, a decision is taken to launch the Passive Resistance Campaign (as decided upon at the earlier meeting of 7 May) on 1 August. A Council of Action for the campaign is set up with Dr. Yusuf Dadoo as Chairman. India declares its support for the intended the campaign of Passive Resistance.
1939: 19 July, Mahatma Gandhi sends a telegram to Dr. Yusuf Dadoo suggesting the postponement of the intended Passive Resistance Campaign.
1939: 23 July, To show the solidarity of Natal Indians with the intended Passive Resistance Campaign in the Transvaal, a mass meeting is organised mainly by leaders of the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA). However, passive resistance is later postponed following the earlier request of Mahatma Gandhi, who believes that a honourable settlement can be achieved.
1939: 29 July, Recruitment of Indians into the South African Defence Force (SADF) begins under Colonel Morris.
1939: 19 August, The Mixed Marriages Commission, under the Chairmanship of Mr Charles de Villiers, releases its report and recommends that a law be introduced that would make mixed marriages impossible and illicit miscegenation punishable.
1939: 22 August, The Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, convenes another meeting of representatives of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) in a fresh attempt to achieve reconciliation between the two factions.
1939: 1 September, Germany invades Poland and the Second World War commences when Britain declares war on Germany on 3 September.
1939: 4 September, General J.C. Smuts becomes the new South African Prime Minister after Parliament narrowly approves his motion that South Africa should enter the Second World War on the side of Britain and the Allies. In India, the Indian Congress remains opposed to Indian involvement in the war, and links the supporting of Britain in the war to Indias independence. Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India, states that dominion status is the goal of constitutional development and that action in this regard is to be taken after the war. In South Africa, South Africas participation in the war also causes division in Indian ranks.
1939: October, In an attempt to get Black support for the South African war effort, the Union Government tones down segregationist rhetoric and decides not to proceed with anti-Indian legislation during the Second World War. Following an informal understanding between Mr H.G. Lawrence, the new Minister of the Interior, and Sir Benegal Rama Rau, the Indian Agent-General, the Union Government further indicates that an inquiry will be made to establish the extent of Indian penetration of de facto White areas, and that the cooperation of the Indian community was required to ensure that the status quo is maintained and that no new cases of penetration would take place.
1939: 8 October, At a public meeting of 2,000 people in Durban, the Indian philosopher and statesman, Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, reconciles the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) members to form the Natal Indian Association (NIA). Hajee A.M.M. Lockhat elected President, and Sorabjee Rustomjee and P.R. Pather secretaries. The name of the new organisation is cleared with Gandhi. The NIA is backed mainly by leaders of the CBSIA and the radicals in the NIC. However, once again this unity proves to be short-lived. A group headed by A.I. Kajee and Swami Bhawani Dayal does not recognise the decision of the NIC to unite with the CBSIA and declines positions in the NIA.
1939: November, The executive of the newly formed Natal Indian Association (NIA) decides to cooperate with the envisaged Lawrence Committee, which, in conjunction with the Durban City Council, shall investigate and regulate the acquisition of property in Durban by Indians.

[PAGEBREAK]

1940s

1940: Dr. A.B. Xuma is elected President-General of the African National Congress (ANC).; Walter Sisulu joins the African National Congress.; The population of Pageview is largely Indian and the area starts developing an Indian character. Mosques, temples and churches are established and the 14th Street shopping Mecca becomes popular.; Prof. Z. K. Matthews joins the African National Congress (ANC).; Cissie Gool becomes the president of the Non-European United Front (NEUF).; The Transvaal African Teachers Association's (TATA) Rand branch launches a teachers' salary campaign.; Hilda Bernstein joins the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) while Josie Palmer becomes a member of the party‘s Johannesburg Committee.; The Asiatic Land and Trading (Transvaal) Act is passed. It extends the 1939 law for two years but makes some concessions based on the Feetham Commission report, providing some security for the richer Indians. Some areas are exempted from the provisions of the Gold Law in Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Klerksdorp and Roodepoort. It allows land to be transferred to Asians in the Malay location of Johannesburg and the Nigel Bazaar. NB.
1940: January, A meeting is held between the Nationalist Bloc, Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) leadership and the Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, to unite the Indian political factions in the Transvaal. However, the meeting ends in failure. NB.
1940: February, The decision of the Natal Indian Association (NIA) executive to cooperate with the Lawrence Committee named after the minister of the Interior, H.G. Lawrence, in controlling the purchases of property by Indians in Durban, is ratified by the NIA's general body. This decision to cooperate with the Committee is largely thanks to the persuasive influence of the efforts of the Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, who stresses that the Committee will provide an opportunity to discuss Indian housing problems and the need for proper amenities in the predominantly Indian-occupied areas, as well as the need for good alternate residential areas for the Indian middle class.
1940: 4 February, The depleted Natal Indian Congress under the leadership of A.I. Kajee group declares that the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) is still in existence and that the procedures followed during the amalgamation of the NIC with the Colonial Born and Settlers Indian Association (CBSIA) are wrong. The depleted NIC strongly opposes the decision of the Natal Indian Association (NIA) to cooperate with the Lawrence Committee, arguing that it constitutes Indian acceptance of voluntary segregation. However, this stance is ironic, since Kajee in 1936 gave a similar assurance to the Natal Municipal Association.
1940: 14 March, The Lawrence Committee holds its inaugural meeting in Durban. The Committee consists of Mr R. Ellis-Brown (the Mayor of Durban), H.G. Capell, T. Kinloch, W.E. Knight, D.G. Shepstone and J.M. Harris as representatives of the Durban City Council; and six representatives of the Natal Indian Association (NIA), namely A. Christopher, Godfrey, A.S. Kajee, P.B. Singh, Sorabjee Rustomjee and P.R. Pather. The Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, also attends the inaugural meeting.
1940: 15 May, The Indian Penetration Commission, under the chairmanship of Justice F.N. Broome, is appointed to investigate and report on the extent of Indian residential and trading penetration of predominantly White areas in the Transvaal and Natal since 1 January, 1927.
1940: June, Following a decision taken at a mass meeting of the Natal Indian Association (NIA) on 9 June, the Indian Service Corps is formed to provide transport, medical, hygiene and ambulance services in support of the South African Second World War effort.; The depleted Natal Indian Congress (also known as the A.I. Kajee group), with E.M. Paruk as president, holds a general meeting in Durban. The meeting is attended by 1,400 peop
1940: 9 June, The leadership of the Natal Indian Association (NIA), backed by the Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, declares its support for the Union Government war effort, but demands that there should be full equality between White, Black, Indian and Coloured troops in the armed services and that democratic rights be extended.
1940: July, The Executive Committees of the All African Convention (AAC) and the African National Congress (ANC) meet and pass a resolution regarding World War II. They sympathise with the British Commonwealth and urge the South African government to give full recognition to the Africans participating in the war.
1940: 29 July, The recruitment for the Indian Service Corps (mechanical and transport section) begins under Colonel Morris. In a later confidential report, Colonel Morris highly praises the efforts of the Natal Indian Association (NIA), and especially that of A. Christopher, P.R. Pather, S.R. Naidoo and S. Rustomjee, each of whom had spent ten hours daily in assisting the recruiting programme.
1940: 20 September, The Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, reluctantly admits that the recruitment drive under Indians in Natal for the South African Indian Service Corps (established to provide transport, medical, hygiene and ambulance services in support of the South African Second World War II effort) has been a failure mainly due to the anti-war activities of the Nationalist Bloc in Natal.
1940: December, The All African Convention convenes with sixty delegates. The delegates include Rheinallt Jones, who is elected to the senate representing Africans in the Transvaal in 1937.; Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D.D.T.) Jabavu refuses to give his opinion regarding World War II.
1941: Council for Non-European Trade Unions is founded.; ANC calls for racial unity in a statement made by its president Dr. A.B. Xuma in Inkululeko.; The African Mine Workers' Union is formed.; The ANC congress resolves to review its position on women membership.; Soon after I.B. Tabata's criticism of the AAC, Dr. Alfred Bitini (A.B.) Xuma, vice president of AAC, in his presidential address states that the African National Congress (ANC) bears part of the blame of the AAC's weakness. He further mentions that the AAC has burdened itself with a federal constitution, meetings every three years and has made no attempt to establish any branches of the main organisation.
1941: April, The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) is formally constituted in Johannesburg.
1941: 8 July, The ANC deputation comprising of Dr A.B. Xuma, President General, Mr. S.P. Matseke and Mr. R.V. Selope Thema, who was later replaced by Mr. E Mofutsanyane because of his inability to join with other members of the deputation, meets with the Minister of Justice. Report Click here
1941: 26 July, The ANC in Transvaal issues a flyer Mass Meeting, Africans Shot in Cold Blood, calling a meeting at Newtown Market Square Johannesburg.
1941: December, I.B. Tabata at the All African Convention (AAC) special session criticises the Natives Representative Council. He calls it the White representatives of Africans in parliament, who plead for Africans in the same way that any White liberal, churchman or Joint Council pleads. Tabata describes the AAC as an organisation without strong leadership.
1942: Sonia Bunting joins the Communist Party of South Africa.; Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D.D.T.) Jabavu criticises the format that the All African Convention uses for the election of its leadership.
1942: March, The ANC deputation meets with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Native Affairs Colonel Denez Reitz to discuss African concerns ranging from the question of Army Services and African Representation during World War II, Land, Education, Wages and Recognition and Registration of African Trade Unions, the Native Administration Act and the Pass Laws.
1942: 18 June, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is born in Idutywa district in the Transkei.Thabo is the second child of Govan Mbeki and Ma Mofokeng.
1942: 11 November, The newly appointed member of the Native Representative Council, Paul R. Mosaka, writes a letter to the ANC president Dr A.B. Xuma.
1942: December, The United Party Government starts relaxing influx control measures.
1942: 20 December - 22 December, The ANC conference held in Bloemfontein approves the formation of a youth wing and adopts the “Atlantic Charter from the Standpoint of Africans within the Union of South Africa” and Bill of Rights documents. Click here for the resolution.
1943: The ANC draws up a Bill of Rights based on the Atlantic Charter drafted by Churchill and Roosevelt.; The ANC Women's League is formed as women are officially admitted as ANC members. Charlotte Maxeke is elected President, Ida Mntwana and Mrs Xuma officers.; Hilda Bernstein becomes Johannesburg City Councillor, only Communist elected to public office.
1943: 23 February, Fietas area in Johannesburg is officially named Pageview in honour of the then Mayor of Johannesburg, Mr. J.J. Page.
1943: March, A long document titled Congress Youth League Manifesto is issued by the Johannesburg Provisional Preparatory Committee.; The Indian Reciprocity Act is passed in New Delhi by the Central Legislative Assembly. It imposes the same restrictions on South African Europeans in India as imposed on South African Indians in South Africa.
1943: 22 April, The Pegging Act goes to Senate.
1943: May, The Asiatic Trading and Occupation of Land (Natal and Transvaal) Act (the Pegging Act) becomes law.
1943: June, I.B. Tabata issues a statement calling all Africans, Coloureds and Indians, to attend an AAC conference in December 1943. The invitation is extended to other races as a show of unity against the oppressive White government.
1943: July, The All African Convention (AAC) of the Western Province drafts a manifesto.
1943: 6 July, I.B. Tabata requests Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D.D.T.) Jabavu to attend a meeting of the AAC Western Province in Cape Town to discuss the manifesto.
1943: 11 July, The All African Convention (AAC) of Western Province meeting takes place.
1943: August; The AAC manifesto is redrafted as a Call to Unity.
1943: September, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu sends a copy of the manifesto to Rheinallt Jones.; Paul Mosaka, the youngest member of the Native Representative Council and Johannesburg businessman, forms the African Democratic Party with like-minded Africans including Dan Koza, Self Mampuru and G.R. Kuzwayo.
1943: November, Rumours that Dr Alfred Bitini (A.B.) Xuma is to quit the All African Convention (AAC) are rife.
1943: December, Seventy-two delegates, including Indians and Coloureds, attend the All African Convention (AAC). It coincides with the first meeting of the Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM). The meeting of these two organisations takes place in Bloemfontein and is chaired by Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu.
1943: 13 December - 14 December, The Atlantic Charter Committee led by African National Congress (ANC) leader Dr Xuma, meets in Bloemfontein and draw up a memorandum titled The Atlantic Charter From the standpoint of Africans within the Union of South Africa. In this memorandum the articles of the Charter are discussed one by one and observations are made about each article.
1943: 16 December, The ANC annual conference adopts a new constitution. It also presents the African Claims in South Africa.
1944: Mosaka appears in the Johannesburg Magistrate Court after he made speeches considered inflammatory in character by the South African Police. He also accused the government of being a Nazi Government at the African Democratic party meetings.; Chief Albert Luthuli joins the African National Congress.; Josie Palmer works with the National Anti-Pass Council.; Nelson Mandela joins the African National Congress at 25.
1944: March, The ANCYL provisional committee issues the Congress Youth League Manifesto.
1944: 2 April, The ANCYL Transvaal branch is established in Johannesburg as the next step towards the formation of a national structure.
1944: 7 May, Natal Provincial Select Committee introduces a new Ordinance called the Residential Property Regulation Draft Ordinance, one of four ordinances designed to relegate Indians to certain specific areas.
The other three ordinances are:
The Natal Housing Board Ordinance;
The Provincial Local Authorities Expropriation Ordinance; and the
The Town Planning Ordinance.
All four ordinances are passed.
1944: 7 July, The All African Convention (AAC) meets in Johannesburg.
1944: August; The Native Representatives Council passes a resolution that the government's segregation policy is the root of all distrust among races; that the policy is thus not conducive to peaceful relations between Black and White, and not in the best interest of South Africa.
1944: 10 September, A mass youth conference is held in Johannesburg to formally launch the national structure of the ANCYL. The first National Executive members are Anton Lembede president, Oliver Tambo Secretary, Walter Sisulu treasurer, A.P. Mda organiser and Nelson Mandela and David Bopape as additional members.; The ANCYL provisional committee issues a flyer Trumpet Call to Youth announcing a meeting.
1945: Albert Luthuli is elected to the Executive Committee of the Natal Provincial Division of the African National Congress; Mark Hlubi and Peter Abrahams represent the ANC at the Pan African Congress in Manchester. While in Manchester they meet prominent African politicians, including Kwame Nkrumah from Gold Coast (now Ghana), Dr Azikiwe from Nigeria, Jomo Kenyatta from Kenya and Kamazu Banda from Nyasaland (now Malawi). This is a critical event in exposing African scholars to ideas and strategies on seeking independence for African colonies using the Black Consciousness ideology. The theme of the congress envisages an end to colonial rule and political independence.
1945: February, The ANCYL national president, A.M. Lembede, issues an article called Some Basic Principles of African Nationalism in Inyaniso.
1945: 16 March, The ANCYL Transvaal writes a letter to Ruth First, the Secretary of the Progressive Youth Council. The ANCYL is responding to First's letter dated 9th March of the same year.
1945: 1 June, Natives (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act No 25 is passed. The Act introduces influx control, applicable to Black males only. People who are deemed to be leading idle or dissolute live or who had committed certain specified offences, could be removed from an urban area.
1945: 27 October, The candidates of the Anti-Segregation Council, led by Dr G.M. Naicker, are elected at a public meeting of over 7,000 people in Durban as officials of the Natal Indian Congress. Dr. Naicker succeeds A.I. Kajee as President.
1946: Albert Luthuli becomes the Natal representative on the Natives' Representative Council (NRC) following the death of Dr John Dube.; Dr Xuma attends the first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in the hope to present the views of the ANC regarding the Smuts government's racial policies in the lobbies of the new international forum. The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) assists Xuma to come into contact with the Indian delegation at the UN.; The Natal Inter-Race Soccer Board is established with the help of Albert Luthuli.
1946: January, The ANC president Dr Xuma cables to the United Nations, opposing the incorporation of South West Africa into the Union of South Africa. Xuma's effort is congratulated by Moses Kotane.
1946: 21 January, Prime Minister J.C. Smuts announces government's intention to introduce new legislation to replace the Pegging Act, due to expire on 31 March.
1946: 22 January, Natal Indian Congress (NIC) sends a cable to the government of India urging an appeal to the United Nations on behalf of the Indians in South Africa.
1946: 3 February, Natal Indian Congress (NIC) calls a mass meeting to protest against the proposed Asiatic Bill. A resolution condemning the bill, rejecting communal franchise, proposing a round table conference of South Africa with India, and advocating effective mass resistance is passed.
1946: 8 February - 12 February, A conference of The South African Indian Congress (SAIC), held in Cape Town, unanimously resolves to oppose the proposed legislation by proceeding immediately to prepare the Indian people of South Africa for concerted and prolonged resistance. During the conference a large deputation of sixty Indians calls on the Prime Minister, Field Marshal Smuts, on 11 February and urges him to postpone the legislation, pending a round table conference with India.
1946: 20 February, A Day of Prayer, called by Natal Indian Congress (NIC), is observed very widely. Indian businesses are closed at 1 p.m. and many Indians take a resistance pledge.
1946: March, A South African Indian Congress (SAIC) delegation led by Sorabjee Rustomjee visits India. It meets Gandhiji and other leaders, and is received by the Viceroy. The Working Committee of the Indian National Congress declares its full support to the South African Indians in their struggle.
1946: 3 March, South African Indian Congress delegation meets Mahatma Gandhi in Poona.
1946: 12 March, The South African Indian Congress (SAIC) delegation (Sorabjee Rustomjee, SR. Naidoo, A.A. Mirza and A.S.M. Kajee) is received by the Viceroy, Lord Wavell, in Delhi.
1946: 15 March, The Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Bill is introduced in the House of Assembly.
1946: 18 March, Mahatma Gandhi sends a telegram to Field Marshal Smuts asking him to withdraw the Asiatic Bill. He also issues a press statement describing the Bill as a challenge to Asia and Africa.
1946: 24 March, The Executive Committee of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC), at its meeting held in Cape Town, decides to instruct the Natal and the Transvaal Indian Congresses to proceed immediately to plan and prepare the details of a concerted and prolonged resistance.
1946: 31 March, 6000 Indians march in Durban to protest against the Asiatic Bill, and support the South African Indian Congress resolution for Passive Resistance. Dr G.M. Naicker, President of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), addresses the demonstrators. H.I.E. Dhlomo of the ANC and L.A. Smith of the African People Organisation (APO) speaks at the meeting and declares the support of the African and Coloured people to the Indians in their struggle.
1946: 16 April, A leader of the House in the Central Legislative Assembly of India, Ramaswami Mudaliar, announces that the government of India would initiate steps to bring the issue of the oppression of Indians in South Africa before the United Nations.
1946: 21 April, The Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) at a mass meeting held in Johannesburg, decides to set up the Transvaal Passive Resistance Council with fifteen members, under the chairmanship of Dr Y.M. Dadoo.
1946: May, The ANCYL president Lembede publishes an article in Inkundla ya Bantu.
1946: 11 May, The first meeting of the Joint Passive Resistance Council of Natal and Transvaal is held in Durban.
1946: 23 May, Indian government asks its High Commissioner in South Africa, Ramrao Madhavrao Deshmukh, to return to Indian for consultations. He sails for India the next day.
1946: 2 June, Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Bill, called by Indians the Ghetto Act, receives the assent of the Governor-General and becomes a law.
1946: 3 June, Natal Indian Congress (NIC) meets in emergency session in Durban and decides on a hartal on 13 June, which is a designated Resistance Day to mark the beginning of the Passive Resistance against the Ghetto Act.
1946: 4 June, Dr G.M. Naicker, President of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), warns that any Indian who accept membership in the Land Tenure Advisory Board would be ostracised.
1946: 13 June, Y.M. Dadoo and Dr. G.M. Naicker lead Indian Passive Resistance campaign against the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act, enacted by the Smuts government.
1946: 15 June, Indians observe complete hartal throughout the country. Mass meetings are held in many cities and towns. A mass meeting of over 15 000 people at the Red Square in Durban is addressed by Dr G.M. Naicker. After the meeting, a procession marches to the corner of Gale Street and Umbilo Road where the first batch of seventeen Passive Resisters (including seven women) pitches five tents on a piece of vacant municipal land in defiance of the Ghetto Act.
1946: 16 June, White hooligans attacks the resistance camp, while police stand by. Passive Resisters continue to occupy the camp despite the threat of violence.
1946: 17 June, More than a hundred Whites raid the resistance camp, pull down tents and smash camp stretchers. Some Resisters are injured in the scuffle, including women from the Transvaal. Police again take no action.
1946: 18 June, Dr Dadoo flies to Durban to study the situation as White hooligans continue to harass Passive Resisters.
1946: 19 June, White hooligans attack Indians in and around the camp. Thousands of Indians visit the camp to show admiration for the Resisters and hundreds enrol as Resisters all over South Africa.
1946: 21 June, Speaking at a prayer meeting in New Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi calls on the South African government to stop the hooliganism of the Whites against Passive Resisters.
1946: 22 June, The Indian government requests that the question of the treatment of Indians in the Union of South Africa be included in the agenda of the second part of the first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.; Passive Resisters, led by Dr G.M. Naicker, appear in the Durban magistrate court. All Passive Resisters, except Dr Naicker and M.D. Naidoo, are cautioned and discharged. Dr Naicker and Mr. Naidoo are summoned to appear in court on 22 July.
1946: November, Professor Z.K. Matthews issues a pamphlet called Reasons Why the Native Representative Council in the Union of South Africa Adjourned. Click here to read the pamphlet.
1946: 14 December - 15 December, ANC holds its annual conference.
1946: 17 December, ANC annual conference asks its National Executive Committee to consider the possibilities of closer cooperation with the national organisations of other non-Europeans in the common struggle.
1947: January, The government seizes the passport of Dr Dadoo, and rejects an application by Dr Naicker for a passport. They (Dadoo and Naicker) are obliged to postpone their plans to leave for India on 9 February. There are many protests and even pro-government newspapers criticise government's action.
1947: March, Dr Dadoo and Dr Naicker are granted passports after intervention by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian government, which had invited them to the Asian Relations Conference.
1947: 9 March, Representatives of the African National Congress (ANC), Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) meet in Johannesburg. The Presidents of the three Congresses, Dr Xuma, Dr Naicker and Dr Dadoo, sign a joint declaration of cooperation (The Three Doctors' Pact).
1947: 11 March, Dr Dadoo and Dr G.M. Naicker leave South Africa to visit India. After a stop-over in Cairo where they meet the Secretary-General of the Arab League, they arrive in India on 18 March.
1947: 21 March, Dr Xuma issues a flyer To All Africans and Friends of Justice. Click here to read the Flyer.
1947: 23 March, A meeting of the African National Congress (ANC), African People's Organisation (APO), Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) is held in Johannesburg to discuss cooperation.
1947: 4 May, The Natal Indian Organisation (NIO) is formed by moderate Indians.
1947: 21 May, A delegation of the newly formed Natal Indian Organisation (NIO) meets Prime Minister J.C. Smuts.
1947: 27 May, Dr Dadoo and Dr Naicker return to South Africa from Indian.
1947: June, Dr Dadoo opens the Conference of the African People's Organisation.
1947: 29 July, The ANCYL president, Anton Lembede, dies at the age of 33.
1947: September, Donald Molteno, the representative for Africans in the Western Cape, writes to Professor Jabavu seeking clarity on the All African Convention (AAC) election boycott. In a confidential letter Jabavu writes back to Molteno stating that a decision to boycott the election was taken in 1944.
1947: 9 September, Ashwin Choudree and A.I. Meer, representing the Transvaal Indian Congress and the Natal Indian Congress, leave for New York to attend the session of the UN General Assembly.
1947: December, The All African Convention (AAC) meeting fails to take place as initially arranged by the Executive of the AAC.
1947: 13 December, The Transvaal Indian Organisation is formed.
1948: The Basic Policy of the ANCYL, which emphasises the new assertiveness of the Black protest politics after World War II, is issued.; ANC Women's League holds its first conference, with Ida Mtwana as President.; Albertina Sisulu joins the ANC Women's League.; Wycliffe Tsotsi replaces Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu as president of the AAC.
1948: 29 January, At a conference of the Natal Indian Organisation (NIO), the Transvaal Indian Organisation (TIO) and the Cape Indian Congress, addressed by Prime Minister Jan Smuts, it is decided to form a South African Indian Organisation.
1948: 15 March, The South African Indian Organisation is formed at a conference in Durban.
1948: 28 May, The Nationalist Party under Dr D.F. Malan comes into power, and institutionalised Apartheid in South Africa.
1948: June, I.B. Tabata writes to Nelson Mandela of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) trying to win him over to the AAC.
1948: July, Rev. J.A. Calata makes a presidential address at the ANC Provincial conference in Cape Town.
1948: September, Mr. Sam Kahn wins election to Parliament as representative of Natives of the Western Constituency of the Cape by an overwhelming majority against a Nationalist and an independent opponent. He is the first Communist to be elected to Parliament.
1948: October, Dr. A.B. Xuma calls a meeting of African leaders to end the rift between the ANC and the All-African Convention.
1948: 17 November, Tension between members of the All African Convention (AAC) arises. The AAC members at the joint conference with the African National Congress (ANC) cannot find common ground on issues pertaining to the running of the organisation. The AAC rejects the Call for African Unity proposal.
1948: December, Professor Davidson Don Tengo (D. D. T.) Jabavu bows out of politics, thus paving the way for a younger generation. This is a small price to pay for his disloyalty to the pro-boycott principles of the All African Convention (AAC) and Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM).
1948: 16 December - 17 December, The Joint conference of the ANC and All Africa Convention is held in Batho Location Community Hall, Bloemfontein.
1949: Fatima Meer establishes the Durban Districts Women's League.
1949: 20 January, The ANC Working Committee issues a statement signed by Dr Xuma on the Durban Riots.
1949: 6 February, The Joint meeting of African and Indian leaders from the ANC and SAIC held in Durban issues a statement for closer co-operation.
1949: April, The All African Convention calls upon the ANC to support the policy of non-collaboration with government during their joint National Executive Committee meeting.
1949: 17 April, A second joint conference between the All African Convention (AAC) and the African National Congress is held. This conference also fails to form a union between the two organisations.
1949: October, Robert M. Sobukwe gives an address on behalf of the Graduating Class at Fort Hare College.
1949: 15 December - 19 December, The ANC annual conference adopts a Programme of Action which abandons the traditional moderate approach of petitions and deputations in favour of mass action using the tactics of boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. At this conference, Walter Sisulu is elected Secretary-General and Dr. J.S. Moroka replaces Dr. A.B. Xuma as President-General of the African National Congress. Click here to see the minutes of the conference.

[PAGEBREAK]

1950s

1950 - 1960: In Fietas, Johannesburg, the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) initiates and implements the ‘Decade of Defiance’.
1950: Florence Matomela leads an anti-pass demonstration resulting in the burning of passes in Port Elizabeth.; Nelson Mandela succeeds Peter Mda as the new president of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).; Walter Sisulu’s book ‘ South Africa Behind Bars’ is handed out among the representatives of the different countries during the session of the United Nation Organisations (UNO).
1950: Sonia Bunting joins the Guardian Newspaper after the banning of the Communist Party of South Africa.
1950: January; A crowd of Blacks in Newclare, Johannesburg attack a Black policeman attempting to arrest an African civilian allegedly in position of liquor.
1950: 6 January - 8 January; The last conference of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) before its dissolution is held in Johannesburg. It attacks the African National Congress (ANC) Programme of Action.
1950: March; Dr A.B. Xuma resigns from the African National Congress (ANC) national Executive Committee (NEC) after his differences with the ANC Youth League.
1950: 26 March; The Defend Free Speech Convention in Johannesburg proclaims May 1st as Freedom Day and calls on all organisations to go into demonstrations
1950: May; Dr Yusuf Dadoo calls for a broad anti-nationalist front to oppose anti-apartheid laws such as the Group Areas Act.

Sam Kahn and Dr Yusuf Dadoo have restrictions placed on them in terms of the Riotous Assemblies Act. They are prevented from speaking in eight major centres.
1950: 1 May; A general strike against all discriminatory laws and for full franchise rights for all is held. Police opens fire in the Alexandra Township and other areas on the Reef, killing 18 and wounding 30 people.
1950: 5 May - 6 May; An emergency meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) is held to discuss the impending Unlawful Organisations Bill.
1950: 12 May; The Immorality Amendment Act No 21 of 1950 is passed.
1950: 14 May; The African National Congress (ANC) Working Committee summons an emergency conference. The Conference is attended by the representatives from the following organisations: South African Indian Congress (SAIC), A.P.O, ANC Youth League, Council of Non-European Trade Unions and the Communist Party of South Africa. After a lengthy discussion on the Unlawful Organisations Bill and the Group Areas Bill the Conference manage to adopt a resolution accepted by all represented organisations.
1950: 21 May; The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meets at Thaba ‘Nchu and decides to call a national one-day stay at home protest on 26 June.
1950: 11 June, The African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) decide to proclaim a “National Day of Mourning“, on 26 June, with a countrywide stay-at-home strike. They favour a stay-at-home strike and prayer because of the shootings on 1 May.
1950: 18 June, Walter Sisulu addresses a meeting at New Brighton, Port Elizabeth and tells the Blacks about the decision that everyone should stay away from their work on 26 June 1950 as a sign of protest against the “Notorious Bill of the Malan Government“ Unlawful Organisations Bill.
1950: 20 June, The Communist Party of South Africa declares that it dissolves itself a few days before the government passed the Suppression of Communism Act, No. 44 of 1950.
1950: 26 June, The Suppression of Communism Act, No. 44 of 1950, according to which, the South African Communist Party declared illegal is approved in parliament. It came into force on 17 July 1950.; A Day of National Protest and Mourning is held countrywide. June 26 is observed as South African Freedom Day, until 1994, when the date of the first democratic elections, 27 April, became an official public holiday known as Freedom Day.
1950: 7 July; The Group Areas Act, Act No 41 of 1950, is passed
1950: 7 July; The Population Registration Act, Act No 30 of 1950, is passed.
1950: 17 July; The Suppression of Communism Act, No. 44 of 1950, passed on 26 June comes into force.
1950: 20 August; Walter Sisulu officiates at a meeting held in Lady Selborne, a non-white township in Pretoria.
1950: 30 September - 2 October, Walter Sisulu speaks at the congress of the Transvaal branch of the African National Congress (ANC), held at Springs.
1950: 12 November, J.B Marks is elected Transvaal President of African National Congress (ANC). A conservative “National Minded Bloc” under the leadership of R.V Selope Thema breaks away in a protest against his election. Thema did not trust neither Dr J Moroka nor the Communists
1950: 2 December, The General Assembly of the United Nations declares, “a policy of ’racial segregation’ (apartheid) is necessarily based on doctrines of racial discrimination“. [Resolution 395(V)]
1950: 6 December, Walter Sisulu acts as one of the speakers at a meeting of the South African Peace Movement in the Ambagsaal, Johannesburg. The other speakers are Dr Y. M. Dadoo and Michael Harmel
1951: Sonia Bunting attends the World Youth Congress in Berlin as part of a delegation led by Ahmed Kathrada; Cissie Gool appears before the Cape Town magistrate for holding a public meeting. She also becomes active in the Franchise Action Council, the forerunner of the South African Coloured Peoples Organisation.; The Bantu/Native Building Workers Act, Act No 27 of 1951 is passed.
1951: The President of African People Organisation (APO), S.M Rahim resigns in disgust and join the Franchise Action Council (FRAC). He declares the APO a moribund organisation
1951: February; The Franchise Action Council is formed in Cape Town
1951: 1 March; Dr. F Malan announces the Separate Representation of Voters Bill to remove Coloureds from the common voters roll in Cape.
1951: May; The War Veterans Torch Commandos, consisting largely of white ex-servicemen opposing government march to the parliament to protest against the Separate Representation of Voters Bill.
1951: 7 May; The Franchise Action Council launch one-day work and school stay away in Cape Town to protest against the Separate Representation of Voters Bill.
1951: 30 May; Chief Luthuli succeeds A.W.G Champion as the president of the African National Congress in Natal.
1951: June, Pixley Seme, a founder member and treasure-general of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912, dies; The Separate Representation of Voters Bill is enacted
1951: 15 June - 17 June, The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meets to deliberate further on what actions to take in expressing their discontent against the National Party Government. The ANC also invites the South Africa Indian Congress (SAIC) and the Franchise Action Council to discuss a joint campaign of civil disobedience and general strikes against the government.
1951: 18 June, The Suppression of Communism Act No 50 is passed
1951: 6 July; The Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act, Act No 52 of 1951 is passed.
1951: 17 July; The Bantu Authorities Act No 68 of 1951 is passed.
1951: 24 July; Oliver Tambo completes his articles, passes his exams and qualifies as an attorney.
1951: 28 July - 29 July; The African National Congress (ANC) calls a meeting in Johannesburg in which the South African Indian Congress (SAIC), the African People Organisation (APO) and the Franchise Action Committee executives are invited to chart way forward for the Defiance Campaign. However APO rejects the ANC invitation and never attends the meeting. FRAC is invited as an observer since it was not a national organisation. An ultimatum has to be addressed to the Government to repeal all discriminating Legislation before or on 29 February 1952, and if this does not take place a mass contravention of such legislation will be launched in all sections of the country
1951: 29 July; The Joint Planning Council consist of (Walter Sisulu, Dr Y Dadoo, J.B. Marks and Y Cachalia) is formed.
1951: 8 November, The Join Planning Council completes its work and makes its report available to the executive committees of the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Indian Congress (SAIC).
1951: 23 November, M.B.Yengwa and other members of the ANC Youth League in Natal nominate Albert Luthuli for the President of the African National Congress in Natal and Luthuli is subsequently elected to this position. In his address to the Annual Conference of the ANC in Natal, Luthuli calls for unity among Africans and redefines the challenges that face them in the light of new pieces of apartheid legislation being introduced by the Malan Government
1951: December, Walter Sisulu, Dr. Y. Dadoo, J.B. Marks and Y.A. Cachalia (all members of the Joint Planning Council) together with R.T. Chari, former secretary of the Indian High Commissioner in the Union, visit Basutoland. They have discussions there with black headmen about the inauguration of the Protectorate by the Union of South Africa.
1951: December, Nelson Mandela is banned under the Riotous Assemblies Act.
1951: 15 December - 17 December, The African National Congress (ANC) adopts the report of the Joint Planning Council at its Bloemfontein conference.
1952: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court set aside the Separate Representation Voters Bill after an appeal by some Coloureds voters on the grounds that the entrench clause in South Africa requires two-third majority of both house of parliament in a joint sitting
1952: The Coloured People’s Organisation (later the Coloured People’s Congress) is formed under James La Guma and becomes the successor to the African People’s Organisation (APO).

Walter Sisulu travels through the country to organise the Defiance Campaign and addresses numerous meetings. Among others, Sisulu visits Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
1952: Father Trevor Huddleston writes to Christian Action asking financial support in defending and assisting the families of the volunteers in the Defiance Campaign.

Walter Sisulu, Duma Nokwe and others leave South Africa without passports to visit various counties.

The Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents Act of No 67 of 1952 includes Black women.
1952: Florence Matomela, one of the first women volunteers during the Defiance Campaign is arrested and spends six weeks in prison.

Fatima Meer is banned under the Suppression of Communism Act.

Lillian Ngoyi participates in a protest march against the banning of the Secretary-General of the Garment Workers` Union (GWU), E.S. (“Solly“) Sachs.
1952: 21 January; A letter co-signed by Dr J.S. Moroka and Walter Sisulu is sent to the Prime Minister, Dr D.F. Malan
1952: 25 January - 27 January; At its 20th annual conference in Johannesburg, the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) accepts the report of the Joint Planning Committee. Dr S.M. Molema, African National Congress, National-Treasurey delivers keynote Address.
1952: 29 January; The Prime Minister responds to the letter of the African National Congress (ANC) through his private secretary, Mr A. Camp. In the letter, he lambastes the ANC for writing to him directly instead of going through the Minister of Native Affairs
1952: 11 February; The African National Congress (ANC) reacts with arrogance to the Letter from the Prime Minister, Dr D.F. Malan, and tells the Prime Minister that the Department of Native Affairs is not the only channel of communication they can use to communicate with him.
1952: 16 March; The Franchise Action Council calls a special conference in Cape Town to discuss what role of protest Coloured people would play on 6 April 1952 during the tercentenary celebrations of Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival at the Cape.
1952: 23 March; Cyprian Solomon, paramount chief of the Zulus, warns 20,000 of his people not to participate in the Defiance Campaign and said that he would himself place their grievances before the proper authorities later.
1952: 6 April, During the tercentenary celebrations of Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival at the Cape, the Joint Planning Council holds mass meetings and demonstrations throughout the country in preparation for the Defiance Campaign. The African National Congress and the Transvaal Indian Congress issue a flyer entitled “ April 6: People Protest Day.”
1952: 6 April, Walter Sisulu is one of the speakers at a meeting which is described as a “People’s Protest Day Rally“ and outlines the “Plan of Action“. The following people also officiate as speakers: Dr. Y.M. Dadoo, D. Ilsome, James Phillips, Moses Kotane and D. Bopape.
1952: 21 April, Walter Sisulu, Dr. Y.M. Dadoo, A.M. Dadoo and Y.A. Cachalia are detained at Idutywa in the Transkei, because they entered the area without the necessary permission.
1952: 25 May; Minister of Justice C.R. Swart terminates Sam Kahn and Fred Carneson’s membership of Parliament and the Provincial Council respectively for being Communists.
1952: 31 May; The African National Congress (ANC) executive meets in Port Elizabeth and announces that the Defiance Campaign would begin on 26 June
1952: 1 June, The African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) National Executive Committees holds a meeting in Port Elizabeth to discuss the details of the Defiance Campaign.
1952: 9 June, Walter Sisulu speaks at a united meeting of the African National Congress and South African Indian Congress in Johannesburg.
1952: 22 June, Volunteers make a pledge to participate in the Defiance Campaign.
1952: 26 June, The African National Congress (ANC) officially launches the Defiance Campaign with the support from South African Indian Congress (SAIC) and the Franchise Action Council, later be called the Coloured People’s Association. The campaign begins in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. Over 8,000 people from all racial groups court imprisonment by contravening selected discriminatory laws and regulations.
1952: 27 June, The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 is passed.
1952: 11 July; The Natives (abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act, Act No 67 of 1952 is passed.
1952: 30 July; N. Mandela is served with a warrant for his arrest on a charge of violating the Suppression of Communism Act
1952: August; The Mandela & Tambo Law firm is established in Chancellor House, opposite the Magistrate Courts in downtown in Johannesburg.
1952: August; The South African Security Police conducts an unprecedented raid on the offices and homes of the liberation movements and their leaders.
1952: 12 August; Twenty non-White leaders are arrested and charged under the Suppression of Communism Act. The accused includes Dr. J. S. Moroka, President of the African National Congress (ANC), Walter Sisulu Secretary-General of the (ANC), Dr. Y. M. Dadoo, President of South African Indian Congress (SAIC), and Nelson Mandela, President of ANC Youth League.
1952: 30 August; Chief Albert Luthuli issues a statement on the launching of the Defiance Campaign in Natal.
1952: 12 September, A delegation of 13 Asian and Arab States requests the General Assembly of the United Nations to consider the question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the apartheid policies of the Government of the Union of South Africa.
1952: 18 September, The Minister of Justice C.R. Swart announces in parliament that there are thirty-three trade union officials and eighty-nine other people served with notices in terms of the Suppression of Communism Act.
1952: 22 September, Thousands of supporters of 20 liberation movement leaders, who are on trial facing charges under the Suppression of Communism Act, demonstrate at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court during the preliminary trial
1952: October, The Annual Assembly of the Baptist Union of South African, appeals to the Government to meet with the liberation movements leaders to discuss constructive measures for the future and make specific recommendation in regard to housing, education, labour exchanges and the wastage of man-power.
1952: 10 October - 12 October, Nelson Mandela is elected the president of the Transvaal African National Congress at its conference to replace the banned J.B Marks
1952: 18 October, The riots break out at the New Brighton (Port Elizabeth) train station when a railway constable try to arrest two Blacks suspected of stealing a tin of paint.
1952: 20 October, The African National Congress local leaders in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth issue a statement on violence occurred on 18 October
1952: 27 October, The press reports a statement by Dr J.L.Z Njongwe, the ANC President in Western Cape, that “ If you hear one day that Ciskei has also gone into action, you will know that the victory will be achieved within five weeks”.
1952: 3 November, The residents of Denver Native Hostel in Denver, who had resolved not to pay an increase in rental from eleven shillings to one pound per month, rush at a tenant who tendered the rental, shouting that he should be ‘hit’ and ‘killed’.
1952: 7 November, The government banned 52 Black leaders from attending meetings for six months in Eastern Cape.
1952: 8 November, Police fires on demonstrators in Kimberley. Fourteen are killed and 39 wounded.
1952: 10 November, A one-day general strike is held in Port Elizabeth to protest police attacks in Kimberley and East London, which results in 22 dead and 108 injured. The strike also protests against the City Council’s imposition of a curfew and month-long ban on public meetings. In Johannesburg, African National Congress (ANC) leaders called on all Africans to keep calm.
1952: 12 November, Chief A.J Luthuli is dismissed as traditional chief by the government after he refuses to resign as African National Congress (ANC) leader in Natal. In his response Luthuli issues a statement entitled ‘The Road to Freedom is via the Cross’
1952: 2 December, The trial of twenty national leaders comes to an end when they are convicted of “statutory communism” and sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour. However, the sentences are suspended for two years.
1952: 2 December, Walter Sisulu is sentenced to 9 months imprisonment, conditionally suspended for three years.
1952: 5 December, The United Nations General Assembly sets up a Commission on the Racial Situation in South Africa
1952: 8 December, A mixed group consisting of three white men, four white women, thirteen Indian men, six Indian women, ten African men and two African women enter Germiston location in the Witwatersrand area without permits.
1952: 8 December, Patrick Duncan and other Whites illegally enter African locations in support of the Defiance Campaign
1952: 17 December, Walter Sisulu is served a notification, in terms of section 9 of the Suppression of Communism Act, whereby he is prohibited, for a period of six months, from attending any meeting in the Union of South Africa.
1952: 18 December - 20 December, At the annual African National Congress (ANC) conference, Chief Albert Luthuli is elected to replace Dr J.S. Moroka as General-President of the ANC.
1953: The Government announces the Native Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Act in an attempt to control the trade unions.

The first three tribal authorities are established in the Transvaal.

Nelson Mandela drafts the M-Plan, to organise Black people on a street/block basis.
1953: The South African Coloured People’s Organisation is formed.

Former Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) members regroup and reconstitute the party under a new name South African Communist Party (SACP) at an underground conference.
1953: 7 January; Joseph (Joe) Matthews writes a letter to his father Pro Z. K Matthews who was visiting professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York informing him about secret meeting between African National Congress (ANC) and South African Indian Congress (SAIC) leadership.
1953: 4 March; The Public Safety Act of 1953 is passed.; The Criminal Law Amendment Act No 8 of 1953 is passed.
1953: April, The Bantu Education Act is passed
1953: 24 April, Chief Albert Luthuli calls off the Defiance Campaign after the introduction of the Criminal Amendment Law Act and the Public Safety Act.
1953: 16 May; The African Ministers Federation calls for the observance of an African National Day of Prayer on Sunday 31st May 1953 to give support for the Defiance Campaign.
1953: June, Nelson Mandela writes an article entitled ‘Searching on the Liberal Party’. The article is published in a new monthly periodical, Liberation, which was edited by Michael Harmel.; Nelson Mandela presides over a meeting in the Odin Cinema in Sophiatown alongside the Indian leader Yusuf Cachalia. Cachalia is later arrested on the platform by the police.
1953: 26 June, The first anniversary of the launch of the Defiance Campaign is observed as a day of commemoration and rededication
1953: 15 July; Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe, a former teacher and member of the African National Congress (ANC), go overseas under false names and without passports.
1953: 21 July; Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe arrive in London, England. From there they go to Bucharest, Romania, where they attend the communist “World Festival of Youth and Students for Peace and Friendship“. After this, Sisulu and Nokwe embark on an extensive tour through the countries behind the iron curtain as guests of the Communists. Sisulu and Nokwe travel through Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia and Communist China.
1953: August; The FRAC calls a People’s Convention in Cape Town
1953: 15 August; The President of the Cape African National Congress (ANC), Prof Z.K Matthews proposes the hold of the Congress of the People in his presidential address to the annual provincial conference of the organisation in Cradock
1953: September, The Coloured People’s Organisation, later the Coloured People’s Congress, under the presidency of James la Guma, is formed in Cape Town as successor to the African People’s Organisation (APO).
1953: 12 September, The South African Coloured People’s Organisation (SACPO) is founded in Cape Town by Liberals and trade unionists including, Edgar Deane, Dr Richard van der Roos, S. Rahim, Regional September and John Gomas
1953: October, O.Tambo addresses a meeting of White Congress supporters convened by the African National Congress (ANC), which went on to establish the Congress of Democrats (CoD)
1953: 9 October, The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, Act No 49 of 1953 is passed.
1953: December, After an absence of five months, Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe return to the Union of South Africa.

The African National Congress (ANC) paid up membership is reported to be 28,900
1953: 13 December, Nelson Mandela speaks for an hour and a half at a big meeting in Soweto. His speech is recorded inaccurately by a policeman, Detective-Sergeant Helberg, and later used as evidence of treason against him.
1953: 18 December - 20 December, The Annual Conference of African National Congress (ANC) adopts a proposal to call a Congress of the People of South Africa.
1953: 30 December, The General Assembly of the United Nations rejects a South African draft resolution to decide, having regard to Article 2, paragraph 7 of the United Nations Charter that it had no competence to adopt the draft resolution recommended by the Ad Hoc Political Committee. The vote is 42 to 8, with 10 abstentions.Those voting in favour of the South African motion are Australia, Belgium, Colombia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Union of South Africa and United Kingdom. Those abstaining were: Argentina, Canada, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Turkey, USA and Venezuela.Resolution 721 (VIII) was adopted by 38 votes to 15, with 7 abstentions
1954: The South African Coloured People Organisation (SACPO) organises bus boycott in Cape Town to protest against the introduction of segregation on buses.
1954: Fietas, Johannesburg: H.F. Verwoed states in his speech in the Senate that the human reality needs to be racially defined and racially organised under the ‘supremacy of the white race.’

The formation of the Federation of South African women (FEDSAW) takes place, bringing together women from the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Indian Congress (SAIC), the Trade unions and self-help groups.
1954: Florence Matomela becomes the Cape Provincial Organiser of the ANC Women’s League.

Dorothy Nyembe becomes Chairperson of the Two-Stick branch Committee in Cato Manor

Potlako Leballo becomes Chairman of the Orlando East African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).
1954: Phylis Naidoo joins the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and raises funds for detainees arrested for Treason.

Sarah Carneson is banned and can no longer hold office in any union.

Josie Palmer becomes President of the Transvaal branch of FEDSAW
1954: The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) instructs its women and youth sections to work with other organisations to oppose the Bantu Education Act.

The National Action Council issues a regular newsletter, titled Speaking Together.

A number of regional and local conferences are held to collect demands to be included in the Freedom Charter
1954: Black teachers and students protest against Bantu Education. The African Education Movement is formed to give alternative education to Blacks. For a few years, cultural clubs operate as informal schools, but by 1960 they close down.

Oliver Tambo is banned and forbidden to address or attend gatherings. However his banning order does not require him to resign from the African National Congress (ANC).
1954: 6 February; Walter Sisulu addresses an African National Congress (ANC) meeting in Durban and gives a comprehensive account of his travels through Eastern Europe, Russia and the People’s Republic of China.
1954: 9 February; Walter Sisulu acts as a speaker at a meeting of the “South African Society for Peace and Friendship with the Soviet Union“, which is held in the Ambagsaal, Johannesburg. Sisulu talks of the way in which Communism has been implemented in Russia and China.
1954: 14 February; Walter Sisulu acts as a speaker at an African National Congress (ANC) meeting, which is held in the Western Black Township of Johannesburg and again relates his visit to Eastern Europe, Russia and China
1954: March; The Torch Printing and Publishing company (Pty) Ltd is charged with promoting hostility between Blacks and Whites.

The Joint Planning Committee, later renamed National Action Council is established to organise the holding of the proposed Congress of the People.
1954: 11 March; Walter Sisulu addresses an African National Congress (ANC) meeting in Port Elizabeth. Sisulu relates in detail his trip to Europe and of everything he saw and experienced there.
1954: 19 March; Walter Sisulu leaves by aeroplane to Durban, to discuss with the African National Congress (ANC) leaders in Natal.
1954: 21 March; In the meeting held in Stanger, 40 delegates from opposition organisations squeeze into school desks to hear the proposal and respond on the Congress of the People. The meeting is illegal, since Chief Albert Lutuli is banned from gatherings.; The African Nation Congress (ANC) conference sets up a sub committee to draw up plans according to which National Action Council for the Congress of the People consisting of eight members from each sponsoring organisations is established.
1954: 28 March; Walter Sisulu acts as speaker during a meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) at Veeplaats. At the meeting Sisulu speaks of the successes of the strikes and the co-operation of the Black community in this connection.
1954: 1 April, Walter Sisulu addresses a meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) in Cradock.
1954: 11 April, Walter Sisulu acts as speaker at a meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) in Sophiatown, Johannesburg. Sisulu urges Blacks not to allow themselves to be removed from the Western areas.
1954: May; The South African Coloured People’s Organisation (SACPO) claims to have over 4,500 members.; P.K. Leballo is expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) and suspended as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Orlando branch of the ANC Youth League.; The NEC’s of the African National Congress (ANC), South African Indian Congress (SAIC), the South African Congress of Democrats (SACOD), and the South African Coloured People Organisation (SACPO), approves a plan campaign known as the “RESIST APARTHEID CAMPAIGN”.
1954: 1 May; Walter Sisulu speaks at an African National Congress (ANC) meeting in the Alexandra Township area, Johannesburg. On the same day, Sisulu addresses a meeting under cover of the Transvaal Council of Non-European Trade Unions (CNETU) in the Ambagsaal, Johannesburg.
1954: 9 May; Walter Sisulu makes the following statement at an African National Congress (ANC) meeting in Newclare, Johannesburg: “We are educated people, the Nationalist and United Party Leaders can come and take lessons from us“, as well as, “the white people’s time has expired. The Africans are now going to rule. We are not going to Meadowlands“.
1954: June, The African National Congress (ANC) holds a Resist Apartheid conference in Johannesburg, which declares its solidarity with the people of the Western Areas against their removal.
1954: 20 June, Walter Sisulu attends the annual conference of the African National Congress (ANC) branch of the Cape Province at Uitenhage.
1954: 26 June - 27 June, Walter Sisulu speaks at a meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Communal Hall in the Western black township area of Johannesburg. Among others, Sisulu says the following: “We need 5 000 volunteers but we must get them before the removal of the ‘black spots’ begins, they must then be ready”.
1954: 11 July; Walter Sisulu attends a massive meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) in Sophiatown, Johannesburg.
1954: 23 July; Walter Sisulu is served with two notifications, in terms of Section 5 of the Suppression of Communism Act (Act 44 of 1950). Sisulu is thereby commanded to resign as member, official or office-bearer from certain organisations and not to take part again in the activities thereof, and is also prohibited from attending any gathering at any place within the Union of South Africa or the area of South West Africa, for a period of two years
1954: 24 July; Walter Sisulu is taken into custody in the Botshabelo location, Bloemfontein, and charged under the Suppression of Communism Act.
1954: 26 July; Walter Sisulu appears before the Magistrate Court of Bloemfontein and is released on £50 bail. The case would serve before the Supreme Court in Bloemfontein during August 1955.
1954: 1 August; The Natives Resettlement Act, Act No 19 of 1954 is passed The Act gives powers to the Government to remove Africans from any area within and next to the magisterial district of Johannesburg. In essence, this Act wants to effect the removal of Africans from Sophiatown to Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg.
1954: 14 August; Walter Sisulu attends a secret African National Congress (ANC) meeting in Durban. This meeting is held during a conference of the “Congress of the People“ which took place over the weekend of 13 -16 August 1954
1954: 20 August; Walter Sisulu sends a statement to the different branches of the African National Congress (ANC) in which he vehemently attacks the present Government over the restrictions that have been placed upon him and others. Sisulu also requests that all the left-wing organisations intensify their propaganda.
1954: 24 August; The Evaton People’s Transport Council (EPTC) is elected at a public meeting.
1954: September, Walter Sisulu approaches a number of prominent organisations in the USA for funds for the “Campaign Plan“ as a representative of the National Action Council of the Congress of the People.
1954: October, The right wing trade unions, walks out of the SATLC conference held in Durban to form the Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA).

The Government bans, under the Suppression of Communism Act, the weekly periodical Advance, one of the few sources of information about non-White political movements.
1954: November, The Orlando Africanist, a newly formed group in Orlando periodically distributes a mimeographed newssheet called The Africanist, which became the mouthpiece of orthodox-nationalist criticism against the African National Congress (ANC) policy of multiracialism.
1954: December, The African National Congress (ANC) annual conference, held in Durban, approves the activities of the National Action Council. It is decided that the Congress of the People had to be a unique mass meeting of delegates representing all the inhabitants, urban and rural, Black and White.
1954: December, The African National Congress (ANC) conference resolves to reject the Bantu Education Act and call on African parents to withdraw their children from primary schools indefinitely as from 1 April 1955.
1954: 2 December, The New Prime Minister, J.G. Strijdom, forms his new Government.
1954: 5 December, Pietermaritzburg holds its regional conference of the Congress of the People. The conference is attended by 197 delegates.; Pietermaritzburg regional conference of the Congress of the People is opened by Robert Resha, the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive member.
1954: 11 December, Walter Sisulu, together with a number of members from the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) and African National Congress (ANC), meet in the offices of the ANC in Johannesburg in order to give certain instructions to delegates to the ANC conference, which will be held at Pinetown, near Durban.
1955: The South African Government announces that women must carry passes.

Annie Silinga is deported under police escort to Transkei. She later returns illegally to live with her family in Langa.
1955: The Black Labour (Settlement of Disputes) Amendment Act No 59 of 1955 is passed.

The Black Sash is formed by six women in Cape Town.
1955 - 1963: South African Congress of Trade Union (SACTU) headquarters in Johannesburg opens communication lines with other international trade union federations such as the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). These links are extended to other countries in Africa, North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
1955: The Tomlinson Commission report calls for a massive job creation programme in the reserves.
1955: February; Dr M.M Motala is re-elected Chairman of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), with S.B Mungal and A S Chetty as joint-secretaries.
1955: 8 February; The African National Congress (ANC) working Committee, in a statement signed by Oliver Tambo says, “the people fight against the removal will be non-violent”.
1955: 9 February; About 60 000 people are forcibly removed from Johannesburg’s Western Areas, such as Sophiatown, under the provisions of the Group Areas Act. Sophiatown is consequently renamed Triumph.
1955: 5 March; The inaugural conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) is held in Johannesburg.
1955: April, The Sub-Committees of the National Action Council starts to sort out demands to be included in Freedom Charter into categories.
1955: 1 April, The Government assumes control of Bantu schools and the African National Congress (ANC) subsequently launches a massive boycott of Bantu Education and schools by both teachers and pupils, together with an attempt to organise an alternative system of education.
1955: 18 April, The African National Congress (ANC) and South African Indian Congress (SAIC) send Moses Kotane and I.M Cachalia to the Bandung Conference held in Indonesia as observers. The Conference is attended by 29 newly independent African and Asian countries.
1955: 22 April, Walter Sisulu holds an interview with prominent members of the African National Congress (ANC) over the boycotting of schools.
1955: May; The African Education Movement is established by representatives from the churches, African National Congress and South African Congress of Democrats (CoD) in an attempt to improve the standard of alternative education to Bandu Education.
1955: 25 June - 26 June, Approximately 8000 delegates representing the African National Congress (ANC), the Congress of Democrats, the South African Indian Congress (SAIC), the Coloured People’s Congress, and the multiracial South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) meet in Kliptown near Soweto in a Congress of the People.
1955: 26 June, The South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) becomes an active member of the Congress Alliance and is represented on the Alliance’s National Co-ordinating Committee.

Freedom Charter is adopted at the Congress of the People in Kliptown. Albert Luthuli, Dr Yusuf Dadoo and Father Trevor Huddleston are each awarded the Isithwalandwe, the nation’s highest honour.
1955: 30 June, The New Age characterises the Congress of the People sas the spectacular and moving demonstration this country has never seen.
1955: 1 July; The Criminal Procedure Act No 56 of 1955 is passed.
1955: August; An article by Walter Sisulu appears in the pamphlet of Workers Unity under the heading “The Allegiance of the Trade Union and Liberatory movements in Africa“. In the article he describes the oppression of the masses (non-Whites) under imperialism.
1955: 28 August; At a meeting held at the Bharat Hall, Durban, the Working Committee of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) approves the formation of the National Joint Consultative Committee to popularise the Freedom Charter.
1955: September, The houses of all prominent protest leaders are searched for incriminating evidence.
1955: 18 September, Members of the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) meet in the Trades Hall, Commissioner street, Johannesburg, to discuss the Freedom Charter and the way forward.
1955: 27 October, 2000 Women of all races, co-ordinated by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW), stages a march in Pretoria to deliver their demands (including their concern about a lack of social services, housing, schools and the threat of the extension of passes to women) to the Prime Minister, J.G. Strijdom.
1955: 17 December - 18 December, Lillian Ngoyi becomes the first women to be elected to the African National Congress’s National Executive Committee.; During the African National Congress (ANC) annual national conference held in Bloemfontein, the Africanists launch a determined attack on all sections of Freedom Charter which accepted multiracialism.
1956: South African Congress of Trade Union (SACTU) resolves at its first Annual Conference that: “The organisation of the mass of the workers of the higher wages, better conditions of life and labour, is inextricably bound up with determined struggle for political rights and liberation from all oppressive practices and laws. Mere struggle for economic rights without participation in the general struggle for political emancipation would condemn the trade union movement to uselessness and to a betrayal of the interests of the workers”.
1956 - 1961: South African Congress of Trade Union (SACTU) affiliation on the Witwatersrand remains stagnant at 15 000 members.
1956 - 1963: The banned Assistant General Secretary, Phyllis Altman, discharges the networking responsibilities for South African Congress of Trade Union (SACTU).
1956: African women are issued with reference books amid a storm of protest.
1956: Fietas, Johannesburg: Faried Adams, a resident of Fietas and a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress Youth Organisation (TICYO) is the no. 1 accused in the Treason Trial. The area south of 22nd Street in Pageview is declared a ‘White’ area, with effect from a year after the proclamation.
1956: The Natives (Prohibition Of Interdicts) Act, Act No 64 of 1956 is passed.
1956: About six new trade unions are set up in Port Elizabeth in the sweet, milling, stevedoring, biscuit, cement and leather industries.
1956: Widespread protests against the carrying of passes begin, resulting in the burning of passbooks and stones being thrown at the officials who deliver the books. Many women are arrested and violence was particularly bad in the Hurutshe reserve in the Western Transvaal.

Frances Baard becomes a member of the executive committee of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU).
1956: Hilda Bernstein founds the South African Peace Council, and becomes its national secretary.
1956: 2 March; South Africa Act Amendment Act No 9 is passed.
1956: 16 March; Riotous Assemblies Act No 17 of 1956 is passed.
1956: 31 March - 1 April, The Freedom Charter is finally adopted by the African National Congress (ANC), special conference despite the disruptions and scuffle between African National Congress (ANC) loyalists and Africanists.
1956: 7 May; The Industrial Conciliation Amendment Act of 1956 is passed.
1956: 18 May; The Separate Representation of Voters Act of 1956 is passed.
1956: 1 June, The Native Administration Amendment Act No 42 of 1956 is passed This Act empowers government to slap Africans with banishment order and exile them to remote rural areas far from their homes.
1956: 9 August; South African women march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass law, under the banner of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW).

Lillian Ngoyi President of (FEDSAW) leads the women’s national anti-pass march to the Union Building in Pretoria.

Dorothy Nyembe leads the Natal contingent of women in a march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
1956: 4 October - 6 October, The African People of the Union of South Africa at the invitation of Interdenominational African Ministers Federation attends conference held in Bloemfontein to consider the Tomilson report.
1956: December, Mrs Annie Silinga is arrested for treason and taken to Johannesburg. She is the only African woman from the Western Cape among the accused.
1956: 5 December, 156 leaders of the Congress Movement are arrested nationwide throughout on a charge of High Treason. After a trial lasting over 4 years, they are found not guilty and discharged in March 1961 when the trial end.
1957: The Immorality Amendment Act, Act No 23 of 1957, is passed This Act is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation. It prohibits adultery, attempted adultery or related immoral acts such as sexual intercourse between White and Black people.
1957: The Transkeian Territorial Authority replaces the Bunga and takes on limited government responsibilities.
1957 - 1960: The South African Congress of Trade Union (SACTU) organises major workers’ strikes and actions around the country. These includes the food and canning workers strikes at Langeberg Koöperasie Beperk (LKB), Beacon Sweets, King Edward V TB hospital, King Edward VIII and McCord hospitals, the Potato Boycott, United Tobacco, Bakers Biscuits, Hammarsdale and Charlestown Clothing Manufacturers, Veka Clothing Manufacturers and Match workers.
1957: 7 January; An African bus boycott lasting ten weeks is initiated in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
1957: 25 January; During the Treason Trial, six police witnesses gives evidence dealing with documents seized from the offices of the New Age, (Durban), the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and from accused No. 1, Farid Adam.
1957: 28 January; Twelve police witnesses gives evidence dealing with the documents seized from ten accused, including Farid Adam and Mohammed Asmal during the Treason Trial.
1957: 29 January; Sixteen policemen testify during the Treason Trial on documents seized from ten different accused, including Paul Joseph and A.M Kathrada and other banned members of the Transvaal Indian Congress and the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress. Exhibit No. AMK 75 is a letter from A.M Kathrada declining invitation to attend a cocktail party at the Soviet Consulate because of his banning order.
1957: 30 January; Fourteen policemen give evidence dealing with documents seized from nine of the accused during the Treason Trial. For the first time, a Black witness, Detective Sergeant Tabete, gives evidence.
1957: 2 February; Alex Hepple, leader of the Labour Party, introduces a union in the House of Assembly calling for the convention of all sections of the community to consider the establishment and maintenance of a democratic society.
1957: 10 February; The South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) convenes a Workers’ Conference. The conference calls for A-Pound-a-Day national minimum wage campaign to be held.
1957: April, The South African Coloured People’s Organisation rejects the Separate Representation of Voters Act at its first national conference and demand full franchise rights for all and propose to boycott elections to be held for the White parliamentary representatives for the Coloureds.
1957: July; The Asinamali Rally held in Johannesburg draws 500 workers from Klerksdorp, Pretoria, Johannesburg and the East and West Rand.
1957: December, The South African Coloured People’s Organisation (SACPO), after encouraged by the African National Congress (ANC), reverses its earlier decision to boycott elections at its national congress.
1957: 17 December, After almost a year of preliminary hearings, the Government drops charges against sixty-one of the accused in the Treason Trail, including Chief Albert Lutuli and Oliver Tambo. The Trial is postponed to the following year.
1958: Women in Zeerust destroy their passes, and this is followed by massive unrest.; The Congress Alliance organises a general stoppage of work by Blacks to coincide with the general election for parliament for which only Whites could vote.; Amato Textile Mills strike erupts.
1958: 13 January; The Treason Trial resumes.
1958: 1 February; All African men are required to possess reference books.
1958: 17 March; The African National Congress (ANC) is banned in several rural districts.
1958: 3 April, The Coloured people elect four whites to the House of Assembly in the first communal election since their removal from the common voters roll in 1956.
1958: 12 April, The Coloured people elect four whites to the House of Assembly in the first communal election since their removal from the common voters roll in 1956.
1958: 16 April, The Whites go to the polls in the second general election since 1948.
1958: May; The Sekhukhuneland revolt against “Bantu” authorities takes place. Similar battles are fought in Tembuland, Pondoland and Zululand.
1958: 24 August; The Prime Minister J. Strijdom dies.
1958: 3 September, Dr H.F. Verwoerd assumes office as Prime Minister and leader of the National Party.
1958: October, The first issue of the African Communist, a journal of the South African Communist Party (SACP), is published.
1958: 4 October, Walter Sisulu attends an African National Congress (ANC) meeting in the Congress Offices in Johannesburg.
1958: 21 October - 28 October, Demonstrators in Johannesburg protest the issuance of reference books to African women.
1958: 2 November, The Africanist faction tries to take charge of African National Congress (ANC) Transvaal Provincial Conference by packing it with people who are not accredited delegates. They submits a letter of disassociation from the ANC.
1958: 13 December - 14 December, The first African National Congress (ANC), annual conference after the Africanists breakaway in Durban emphasises unity in the movement.
1959: 13, 500 Natal workers join South African Congress of Trade Union (SACTU) in a spirit of popular militancy in the wake of the Cato Manor riots.; The more liberal members of the United Party (UP) break away to form the Progressive Federal Party (PFP).; The Union Council for Coloured Affairs established with 12 elected and 15 appointed members.

The African National Congress (ANC), National Executive sends a memorandum to the United Nations to back up the call for international sanctions against South Africa’s apartheid regime.
1959: Sonia Bunting is banned from attending meetings and ordered to resign from 26 organizations.

Dorothy Nyembe is elected President of the African National Congress Women’s League in Natal and participates in the call for potato boycotts.

Thayanayagie Pillay sets up a breakfast and lunch service for Treason Trialists in Pretoria.
1959: March; The Africanists break away from the African National Congress (ANC) to form Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC).
1959: 4 April - 6 April, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is founded in Orlando, Soweto under the leadership of Robert Sobukwe. He gives opening address.

Eliot Nzimeni Mfaxa is elected Pan Africanist Congress of Azania first national organiser
1959: 4 April - 6 April, Potlako Leballo and A.B Ngcobo are elected first Secretary-General and National – Treasure of the Pan Africanist Congress respectively.
1959: 11 April, Walter Sisulu attends a meeting of the National Consultative Committee in the Congress offices in Johannesburg. The boycott of certain goods and activities on 26 June 1959 inter alia, was discussed.
1959: 23 May; Walter Sisulu attends a secret meeting of the ANC Youth League in Johannesburg.
1959: 30 May; The African National Congress (ANC) calls for a boycott of potatoes as a protest against the bestial treatment of farm labourers.
1959: 31 May; The African National Congress (ANC) organise the Potato Boycott directed against the savage exploitation of African farm labour in Bethal.
1959: June, Chief A.J Luthuli is confined to his home district in Natal for five years.
1959: 16 June - 19 June, Rioting and destruction of Government property takes place in Cato Manor and Durban.
1959: 19 June, The Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act of 1959 is passed.; The Extension of University Education Act of 1959 is passed. The Act sets up separate ’tribal colleges’ for black university students. Blacks could no longer freely attend white universities. Again, there are strong protests.
1959: 26 June, African National Congress (ANC) initiates a boycott of twenty-four brands of goods.
1959: July; Robert Sobukwe, President of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), announces that the PAC will launch a campaign against the pass laws in August, and the aim will be to free South Africa by 1963.

Joe Matthews issues an article in The Liberation titled “Africanism under the Microscope”.
1959: August; The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania claims a membership of 25 000 members belonging to 101 branches.
1959: 1 August; Walter Sisulu attends a secret united meeting of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and the ANC Women’s League in Johannesburg. Ahmed Kathrada and Ruth First also attend.
1959: 2 August; Robert Sobukwe delivers State of the National Address on National Heroes Day.
1959: October, The South African Communist Party (SACP) produces its first issue of the African Communist, which becomes an important theoretical journal in the liberation movement.
1959: December, The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) membership stands at around 30 000 - less than halfway to the target of 100 000 set when it was formed.
1959: 5 December, Walter Sisulu, John Mavuso, Moses Kotane, Marks Ramitloa and Betty du Toit attend a Christmas party in aid of the Treason Trial accused, in Johannesburg.
1959: 8 December, The All African People’s Conference is held in Accra.
1959: 10 December, Human Rights Day is observed by the Congress Alliance throughout South Africa.
1959: 16 December, The last National Conference of the African National Congress (ANC) before its banning is held.
1959: 19 December - 20 December, The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), NEC submits its report at the party annual conference. The conference orders the president Robert Sobukwe to call upon African nation to take Decisive Positive Action against pass laws.

[PAGEBREAK]

1960s

1960: 1 January, Minister of Bantu Education assumes control of University College of Fort Hare.African students are prohibited from attending formerly “open universities“ except the University of South Africa and Natal Medical School.
1960: 24 January, Rioting by Africans in Cato Manor (Durban) results in the death of nine policemen. Commissioner of Police subsequently testifies that South African police are meeting increasing hostility from Africans in the routine performance of their duties. (New York Times)
1960: February, The Pondoland Rebellion: an uprising of peasants in the Transkei; Protests and open rebellion breaks out in Pondoland.; Albert Luthuli warns White South Africans that resentment among Africans is building up.
1960: 3 February, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan states in South African Parliament that Britain cannot support South Africa’s racial policies.
1960: 6 February, Walter Sisulu attends a secret meeting of the ANC at Macosa house, Johannesburg, with Ahmed Kathrada.
1960: March, The ANC announces that its anti-pass campaign will start at the end of March 1960.
1960: March - April, Nation-wide strikes in response to banning of the ANC.
1960: 20 March, Rioting and arson in Pondoland.
1960: 21 March, At Sharpeville the police open fire on the unarmed and peaceful crowd, killing 69 and wounding 186.; Sharpeville Massacre: In the wake of Sharpeville, African students loyal to the African National Congress (ANC) establish the African Students’ Association (ASA), PAC sympathising students form the African Students’ Union of South Africa (ASUSA), and those loyal to the Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM) form other organisations in the Cape and Natal. However none of these organisations survives long, since identification with banned movements is hazardous, and university authorities are hostile to student political groups. Non-cooperation between peers in different student political groupings makes matters worse.

Police shooting at peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville against Pass Laws for Africans: 69 men, women and children are killed and about 200 wounded.

The PAC mounts its anti-pass campaign. Police at Sharpeville open fire on peaceful protesters killing sixty-nine and injuring 180. In the Western Cape, police opens fire and two people are killed. The PAC retaliates by calling a work stoppage that lasts for two weeks. Ninety five percent of the workforce goes on strike. PAC youth takes control of the Cape Town townships of Langa and Nyanga, setting up roadblocks and distributing food. 30 000 residents of Black townships of Cape Town march on Caledon Square, led by Philip Kgosana, but the march is thwarted when Kgosana is tricked into calling it off on the promise of top level negotiations. The state calls in the military and the marines, the townships are cordoned off and the situation is brought under government control. A state of emergency is declared, thousands are arrested throughout the country and the ANC and PAC are declared banned organisations. Nelson Mandela is among those imprisoned.

The bloodiest massacre in the history of South Africa takes place in Sharpeville resulting in the Sharpeville Massacre
1960: 22 March, Hendrik Verwoerd tells the South African Parliament that the riots can in no way be described as a reaction against the Government’s apartheid policy and has nothing to do with passes. Such disturbances are a periodic phenomenon and has nothing to do with poverty and low wages. He further states that his first duty is to thank the South African police for the courageous, efficient manner in which they handled the situation. The police at times found it difficult to control themselves, but they had done so in an exemplary manner. He announces that 132 members of the PAC, including Robert Sobukwe, are being held in Johannesburg and are to be charged with sedition.
1960: 23 March, Robert Sobukwe, President of the PAC and Kitchener Leballo, its national secretary, as well as 11 others are charged with incitement to riot.
1960: 24 March, The Government bans all public meetings of more than 12 persons until June 30 in an effort to disrupt the wave of protests against the pass laws.
1960: 25 March, Representatives of 29 African and Asian members request an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider ,“the situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa“.
1960: 27 March, The Commissioner of Police announces that the pass laws are to be suspended until a normal situation has been restored, an occasion taken by Chief A. J. Luthuli to burn his pass. The Police Commissioner says that the pass laws are not being suspended to appease the unfounded protests of Bantu agitators, but because the jails can no longer accommodate the many Africans who present themselves for arrest by openly violating the pass laws.
1960: 28 March, ANC calls a nation-wide stay-at-home in protest to the Sharpeville massacre. Pass books are burned in countless bonfires.O. R. Tambo leaves South Africa illegally on the instruction of the ANC to carry on work outside the country; Albert Luthuli publicly burns his pass.
1960: 30 March, At the request of 29 African and Asian Member States the Security Council begins consideration of the situation in South Africa, under an agenda item entitled: “The situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa“.; The Regime declares a State of Emergency and arrests over 2 000 people. At lunchtime, 30 000 Africans from surrounding African townships march into the centre of Cape Town and demand an interview with the Minister of Justice. The Chief of Security promises to approach the Minister and the crowds march out of Cape Town. Immediately after they disperse, Erasmus announces in Parliament that a State of Emergency has been declared in 80 of the 300 magisterial districts, including every important urban area, and that 18 regiments of the Citizens Force have been mobilised to supplement the police, army and air force.

Albert Luthuli is detained and held until August, When he is tried he is sentenced to a fine of £100 and a six-month suspended sentence.

Unlawful Organisations Act used to ban the ANC and PAC.
1960: 31 March, Four more regiments of the Citizens Force are mobilised. Legal authorities in Johannesburg claim that the emergency regulations are creating a situation of virtual martial law.One of the basic reasons for declaring the Emergency is to obtain a return to work by the African population. Under the emergency regulations, refusal to work is punishable by a fine of £1400, five years in prison, or both.
1960: 1 April, The Security Council, in its first action on South Africa, adopts Resolution 134 (1960) deploring the policies and actions of the South African Government which have given rise to loss of life of so many Africans and have led to international friction. They call upon the Government to abandon its policies of apartheid and racial discrimination. It requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the South African Government, “to make such arrangements as will adequately help in upholding the purposes and principles of the [United Nations] Charter.“ The vote on the resolution was 9 in favour and 2 abstentions (France and the United Kingdom).; Proclamation of a State of Emergency in 31 more magisterial districts.Ten thousand Indians and two thousand Coloureds are ordered to vacate Pietermaritzburg.
1960: 2 April, The Bishop of Johannesburg, Ambrose Reeves, takes refuge in Swaziland following continued massive arrests of persons of all races. The New York Times states that the most conservative official estimates place the membership of the ANC and PAC at 70 000.
1960: 6 April, The pass system is revived.
1960: 7 April, Unlawful Organisations Act No 34: Provides for organisations threatening public order or the safety of the public to be declared unlawful. The ANC and the PAC are immediately declared unlawful. Commenced: 7 April 1960 Repealed by section 73 of the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982.; The Extension of University Education Amendment Act, Act No 34, bans Black students from attending White universities.
1960: 8 April, The ANC and the PAC are banned in South Africa.; Passage of the Unlawful Organisations Act.Banning of the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress. Justice Minister Erasmus announces the banning of ANC and PAC for a minimum of one year and states that there can be no political organisation among urbanised Africans.
1960: 9 April, Attempted assassination of Prime Minister Verwoerd at the Rand Easter Show in Johannesburg results in serious wounds in the face. His assailant, a white farmer, is promptly described as mentally unstable.
1960: 19 April, First interim report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold, pursuant to the Security Council resolution of 1 April.
1960: May - June, Boycotts of South African goods are being implemented in many countries. Labour organisations refuse to service South African cargoes
1960: 4 May, Robert Sobukwe, President of the PAC, is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for incitement of Africans to urge the repeal of pass laws. He refuses to appeal, and refuses the aid of an attorney, on the grounds that the court has no jurisdiction over him because it cannot be considered either a court of law or a court of justice.
1960: 6 May, The Government states in Parliament that 18 000 persons have been arrested and detained since the proclamation of the emergency.
1960: 25 May, Tribal clashes continue to take place in Pondoland (Transkei) between supporters and opponents of the African territorial authorities. 29 Africans are killed, 50 wounded.
1960: June, Representation of Africans in Parliament ends.
1960: 15 June - 24 June, Second Conference of Independent African States, at Addis Ababa, calls for sanctions against South Africa.
1960: 14 July, Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), announces its functioning as the SACP, operating underground after its dissolution in 1950.
1960: 31 August, The state of emergency is lifted. 10 500 opponents of the Government are still being detained.
1960: 5 October, In a referendum limited to white voters only, 52% of South African voters favour the establishment of a Republic. (850,000 in favour; 776,000 opposed). Prime Minister Verwoerd subsequently tells British Prime Minister Macmillan that South Africa wants to remain in the Commonwealth.
1960: 11 October, Second interim report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the Security Council resolution of 1 April.
1960: 23 November, A police convoy is ambushed in Pondoland.
1960: 26 November, A week of violence continues in which it is officially estimated that 200 huts have been burned. The Botha Sigcau High School is closed following threats by Pondo who objected to government education.
1960: 30 November, The Government closes all lines of communication with five districts in Pondoland and reintroduces emergency regulations for the second time in eight months.Paramount Chief of the Zulus, Cyprian Bhepezulu, and 12 Kraals occupied by his followers are attacked by hostile Africans for their support of the Government’s “betterment schemes“.
1961: Walter Sisulu’s mother, Alice Sisulu dies.; All-in African Conference held in Pietermaritzburg. Calls for a national convention are made, so as to decide on a new constitution.

The ANC takes up arms against the South African Government, goes underground and continues to operate secretly.

Malmesbury Convention of Coloured leaders

The Group Areas Development Board begins to provide public housing in Lenasia.

Urban Blacks Council Act No 79:The first provision for black ‘self-government’ in the urban townships. Assent gained: 30 June 1961; commencement date unknown.Repealed by sect. 14 of the Community Councils Act No 125 of 1977.

When Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) comes into being Phyllis Naidoo’s work becomes all the more crucial. She joins the CPSA

The ANC and the PAC establish religious and welfare front organisations. ANC and SACP members set up the armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe. There is a strict undertaking that life will not be endangered, only installations will be attacked. A central high command, with regional commands is set up under the direction of Mandela. The first explosion occurs on 16 December in Durban, followed by explosions in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The president general of the ANC, Chief Albert Luthuli is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize a week before the first explosion. Zindziswa is born to Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

FIFA suspends the Football Association of South Africa (FASA).FASA includes some Black players within its structure. African, Indian, and Coloured officials in the anti-apartheid South African Soccer Federation (SASF) form the anti-racist professional South African Soccer League (SASL). SABFA (the South African Bantu Football Association) launches a National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), which shuts down the following year.

The Port Elizabeth Bus Boycott commences.
1961: 6 January - 12 January, The United Nations Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, visits South Africa. He reports to the Security Council on 23 January.
1961: 23 January, Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold, on implementation of Security Council resolution of 1 April 1960. He stated that in the course of his discussions with the Prime Minister of South Africa, “so far no mutually acceptable arrangement“ had been found on racial policies in South Africa.
1961: 27 January, Justice Minister Erasmus tells the Assembly that during the recent disturbances (November-December 1962) in Pondoland, 4 769 Africans, 2 Europeans and 2 others had been taken into custody
1961: February, Delegations of South Africa United Front visit capitals of Commonwealth States to lobby for expulsion of South Africa
1961: 26 February, Announcement of the continuation of current defence relations with the United Kingdom.
1961: March, The accused in the Treason trial are found not guilty, after a trial lasting four years.; The remaining 30 accused in the Treason Trial are acquitted of charges of treason
1961: March - April, Debate on apartheid at the resumed 15th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. African and Asian delegations press for sanctions against South Africa.The representative of UK says on 5 April that while the importance attached by UK to Article 2 (7) of the UN Charter remains undiminished, it regards apartheid as being now so exceptional as to be sui generis, and his delegation felt able to consider proposals on the question of its merits.The Special Political Committee recommends two draft resolutions: an African resolution calling for specific measures and another by 5 Asian countries asking all States to consider separate and collective action as was open to them. In the Plenary on 13 April, the key paragraph of the African draft was voted separately and received 42 votes in favour and 34 against, with 21 abstentions, and was thus not adopted. The sponsors then withdrew the resolution.The Asian draft - which condemned apartheid as a “reprehensible and repugnant to human dignity“ - was adopted by 96 to 1, with 0 abstentions as resolution 1598 (XV). Only Portugal voted against it. The United Kingdom voted for a resolution against apartheid for the first time. (India, sponsor of this resolution, voted in favour of both drafts).
1961: 2 March, The Bishop of Johannesburg, Ambrose Reeves, resigns after having been deported from South Africa in September 1960 for his strong condemnation of the Government, particularly at the time of Sharpeville and the subsequent emergency. Reeves’ action is vigorously supported by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Joost de Blank
1961: 12 March, The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions submits a memorandum to the UN General Assembly calling for economic sanctions against South Africa.
1961: 12 March, The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions submits a memorandum to the UN General Assembly calling for economic sanctions against South Africa.
1961: 15 March, Following ostrong opposition in the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, Dr. Verwoerd annunces the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth “in the interests of South Africa’s honour and dignity“.; Dr. Verwoerd announces the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth.This provokes a strong reaction amongst the English-speaking white population. Dismay is voiced by the latter and by leaders of the industrial community.Sections of the Afrikaaner population said the country was better off outside the Kafir Commonwealth. Albert Luthuli, former President of the banned ANC says in regard to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ strong opposition to apartheid: “I am overjoyed“.The Synod of 350 delegates of the Dutch Reformed Church endorses the Church’s current policy of racial separation. The Synod expresses support for the Government’s policy of apartheid and asks that its implementation be expedited. The Church states its conviction that its work would be handicapped if it allowed itself to be diverted from its proven way for the sake of world opinion.Professor A.S. Geyser, who queried whether Article 3 of the Church’s principles, which discriminates between white and black, was in line with the Scriptures, was bitterly attacked. The Chairman of the Synod condemned his attitude as arrogant.
1961: 25 March - 26 March, All-in African Conference, with 1 400 delegates from 145 religious, cultural, peasant, intellectual and political bodies, is held in Pietermaritzburg. Conference calls for a national convention of elected representatives of all adult men and women, without regard to race, colour or creed. The Republic, it declares, “rests on force to perpetuate the tyranny of minority“. If the Government ignores the demand for a national convention, the people are called upon to organise mass demonstrations on the eve of the proclamation of the Republic. Mr. Nelson Mandela is appointed secretary of the National Action Council.
1961: 29 March, Sisulu and other accused are found not guilty on a charge of High Treason, in the special court at Pretoria, and released.; Twenty-eight persons (22 Africans, 3 Indians, 2 Whites, 1 Coloured) on trial for high treason since 1956 are found not guilty and discharged. The three judges of the High Court unanimously say there is no evidence of communist infiltration into the African National Congress. “On the evidence presented and our findings, it is impossible for this court to come to the conclusion that the ANC had acquired or adopted a policy to overthrow the State by violence“.Hours later the Government retaliates by renewing the ban on the ANC and PAC for another year, placing a nation-wide ban on all meetings, and breaking up the African conference in Pietermaritzburg.

The ‘Treason Trial’ ends. The total cost of the four-year trial is estimated at R1 million. Twenty-eight people, including Albert Luthuli and Walter Sisulu, who have been on trial for high treason since 1956, are found not guilty and discharged. Hours later the Government retaliates by renewing the ban on the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress for another year.
1961: 30 March, African and Asian delegations at the UN press for sanctions against South Africa.
1961: April, Conference of the Nationalist Organisations of the Portuguese Territories (CONCP) founded in Rabat.
1961: 1 April, Robben Island turned into a prison.
1961: 5 April, United Kingdom Government announces support for a UN General Assembly resolution against apartheid for the first time.
1961: 6 April, Renewal of the ban on the African National Congress and the PAC.
1961: 13 April, The UN General Assembly condemns South African racial discrimination as “reprehensible and repugnant to human dignity“ by vote of 95-1.
1961: 27 April, Walter Sisulu and his home at Orlando West are searched and various documents are seized, in which blacks are instigated to strike on 29, 30 and 31 May 1961. A case in compliance with Section 2 (A) of the Act 8/1953 (Instigation) is made against him.
1961: 3 May, All police leave is cancelled in anticipation of expected strikes at the end of May. Defence legislation is amended to enable use of the armed forces for the suppression of internal disorder. Reorganise of the police so as to co-ordinate its command headquarters with that of the military. Nationalist Party (NP) wins three by-elections with a larger majority than in the 1958 general election.
1961: 12 May, The General Law Amendment Act provides for detention of people for twelve days without bail, and trial without jury in cases of murder and arson; also the proof of innocence rests on the accused.
1961: 14 May, South Africa signs an agreement with Great Britain in regard to guaranteed preferences on the British market
1961: 19 May, General Law Amendment Act No 39:Provides for twelve-day detention. Amended: the Arms and Ammunition Act 28 of 1937 regarding the issuing and cancellation of firearm licences; the 1955 Criminal Procedure Act regarding powers of the Attorney-General to prohibit release on bail or otherwise; and the 1956 Riotous Assemblies Act.Commenced: 19 May 1961Sections 6 and 7 repealed by the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982.
1961: 29 May, Nation-wide general strike. It is reported that only 10-15 % of the labour force joins the strike. In Johannesburg, however, there was high African absenteeism. More than 40 % of the Rand’s huge labour force stays at home. Fifty % of the Asians are out at Durban and 25 % of the Cape Coloureds.A split develops within the African leadership at the last moment. Nelson Mandela and the ANC take the initiative in organising the strike, but leaders of the banned PAC call on non-Whites to ignore it.
1961: 29 May - 31 May, Nation-wide Stay-At-Home commences.
1961: 30 May, The Union of South Africa officially ceases to exist at midnight
1961: 31 May, South Africa is declared a republic, independent and outside the commonwealth. C.R. Swart, the former Governor-General, is sworn in as the first President of the Republic of South Africa.; South Africa formally withdraws from the Commonwealth and proclaims itself a Republic.

Country placed on a war footing to smash the nation-wide strike called to protest against the establishment of the so-called Republic of South Africa.
1961: 4 June, The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hassim Jawad, announces that Iraq will not recognise the government of South Africa because of its apartheid policies.
1961: 14 June, South Africa signs an agreement with Great Britain in regard to guaranteed preferences on the British market.
1961: 21 June, South Africa:Signs multilateral protocol on international civil aviation.
1961: 26 June, South Africa:Signs International Labour Organisation Convention, no. 116, concerning the partial revision of conventions adopted.; While underground, Nelson Mandela writes a letter in which he states the famous words: “The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days. “
1961: 27 June, The government of Ghana imposes a total ban on the export of all Ghanian produce to South Africa and South West Africa, as a protest against apartheid.
1961: 29 June, During its plenary conference in Geneva, the International Labour Organisation adopts a Nigerian resolution condemning the racial policies of the South African government and calling for South Africa’s withdrawal from the ILO, by 163 votes to nil, with 29 abstentions. The South African Government has no intention of acceding to this request; The International Labour Organisation votes 163 to 89 in favour of a resolution calling for South Africa’s withdrawal from the Organisation.
1961: 4 July, A United Nations eight-man committee with instructions to investigate conditions in the Mandated Territory of South Africa, is refused permission to enter the Territory. The minister for External Affairs, Eric Louw announces that if members of the committee try to enter they will be detained and sent back and that this will involve the United Nations in an act of aggression.; The Sierra Leone government imposes a ban on all trade and commerce with South Africa, as a protest against its apartheid policies. Ports and airports will be closed to all South African ships and aircraft; no white South Africans will be allowed to enter Sierra Leone; those already in the country will not be granted re-entry visas.
1961: 5 July, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announces it has entered into a stand-by agreement with South Africa under which South Africa may draw up to the equivalent of $75, 000,000 in a various currencies, during the next twelve months.; Indemnity Act No 61:With retrospective effect from 21 March 1960. This Act indemnifies the government, its officers and all other persons acting under their authority in respect of acts done, orders given or information provided in good faith for the prevention or suppression of internal disorder, the maintenance or restoration of good order, public safety or essential services, or the preservation of life or property in any part of the Republic.Commenced: 5 July 1961
1961: 8 July - 10 July, Malmesbury Convention of Coloured leaders.
1961: 15 July, H.A. Fagan, former Chief Justice and Minister of Native Affairs, agrees to become leader of the National Union. Its founder, J. du P. (Japie) Basson will remain party chairman.
1961: 22 July, Sisulu, together with Moses Kotane and P.P.D. Nokwe, travel through the country to rally support.
1961: 24 July, South Africa signs multilateral agreement under article 18 of the Antarctic Treaty.
1961: August, Sisulu visits Cape Town and organises for the extension to the ANC Youth League.; The Group Areas Development Board is replaced by the Department of Community Development.
1961: 1 August, The Prime Minister announces that there will be a general election on 18 October 1961. The necessary proclamation will be issued on 28 August 1961, nomination day 15 September 1961, and the House of Assembly will be dissolved.
1961: 2 August, A re-organisation of the Cabinet is announced by Dr. Verwoerd.
1961: 4 August, South Africa: Signs treaty with France amending the air agreement of 17 September 1954.
1961: 15 August, An electoral alliance is announced between the United Party (UP) and the National Union (NU) in Bloemfontein, in a form of a nine-point pact determining the basic objectives.
1961: 26 August, A.K. Ganyile, a Pondo leader and refugee in Basutoland is kidnapped with two companions by six South African policemen, taken across the border into South Africa, and imprisoned in the Transkei.
1961: September, Government establishes a Department of Indian Affairs and recognised that “the Indians are a permanent part of the population of this country“.
1961: 1 September, Establishment of the Department of Indian Affairs.
1961: 18 September, South Africa signs multilateral agreement on aviation.
1961: October, Albert Luthuli is informed that he has been awarded the 1960 Nobel Prize for Peace for his “fight against racial discrimination” through non-violent means. Luthuli is the first African to win the prize.
1961: 4 October, Separate elections for the four Cape Coloured representative seats are held. They are won by Independents with the United Party support.
1961: 6 October, Sisulu is sentenced to R30-00 or 90 days imprisonment because he is not in possession of a reference book.
1961: 8 October, The Nationalist Party wins the general election and shows a gain of 10% in its popular vote. In addition, it increases its Parliamentary majority by three seats. The results are:Nationalist Party - 105 seatsUnited Party - 49 seatsProgressive Party - 1 seat. National Union - 1 seat. First case of sabotage on Government installations near Johannesburg.
1961: 11 October, South Africa signs multilateral treaty amending the Phyto Sanitary Convention of 1954.The Foreign Minister, E. Louw, defends South Africa’s apartheid policy in the United Nations, against African criticism. On the same day the Assembly adopts a Liberian censure motion on South Africa, with sixty-seven in favour, one against, twenty abstaining, nine not participating in the vote (including the Britain and the United States) and three absent.; The General Assembly decides - by 67 votes to 1, with 20 abstentions - to censure the Foreign Minister of South Africa for his offensive speech in the General Assembly. Only South Africa votes against the censure.
1961: 13 October, The Minister of Justice issues the first house arrest order.
1961: 17 October, Sisulu is arrested on a charge that he does not own a reference book. Sisulu is confined to his house for 5 years.
1961: 18 October, The government increases its strength in the elections. The final results are: Nationalists 105, United Party 49, Progressive Party 1, and National Union 1.; General Election: The National Party increases its majority in Parliament and obtaina a majority of the total vote. Progressive Party is reduced from 11 seats to one. The seat is given to the party leader Helen Suzman.
1961: 20 October, The Minister of Justice bans all meetings to protest against arrest, trial or conviction of any person.
1961: 23 October - 26 October, The Special Political Committee in the United Nations, with South Africa participating, debates South Africa’s racial policies.
1961: 25 October, South Africa signs treaty with Italy regarding air services.
1961: 26 October, South Africa signs multilateral treaty for protection of performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organizations.
1961: 28 October, Sisulu attends a gathering in the form of a welcome party at the house of Lilian Ngoyi. He is, together with Lilian Ngoyi and Alfred Nzo, arrested and charged under inter alia section 9(1) of Act 44 of 1950. The case is later withdrawn because sufficient evidence could not be supplied to prove that the party was in fact a meeting.
1961: 29 October, Forty-five ANC leaders meet in Lobatsi, Bechuanaland, to plan increased political activity against the Government of South Africa.
1961: 14 November, The British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, informs the House of Commons that responsibility for the conduct of Britain’s relations with South Africa will be transferred from the Commonwealth Relations Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, from 1 December 1961. Sir John Maud will continue to hold the posts of Ambassador to South Africa and of High Commissioner.
1961: 28 November, The United Nations General Assembly adopts an eight nation resolution, by seventy-two votes to two, with twenty-seven abstentions, calling on all member states to take such separate and collective action, as is open to them to bring about the abandonment of South Africa’s racial policies. It does not specifically call for sanctions.
1961: December, Handbills are distributed by Umkhonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation) announcing new methods to be adopted in the struggle for freedom and democracy.
1961: 1 December, South Africa signs an agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
1961: 5 December, Albert Luthuli and his wife board a plane in Durban to be flown to Oslo via London to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for 1960. The government issues him with a special ten-day passport, with restrictions on his movements and public appearances.
1961: 11 December, Wearing a Chief’s ceremonial garb, Albert Luthuli receives the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of King Olaf of Norway, many diplomats and other dignitaries, and is given a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, Albert Luthuli declares: “I regard this as a tribute to Mother Africa, to all peoples, whatever their race, colour or creed”.; Albert Luthuli delivers his Nobel Peace Prize address entitled ‘Africa and Freedom’ and pays tribute to the late Dag Hammarskjöld, “a distinguished world citizen and fighter for peace,” a previous recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. At the conclusion of his address, Albert Luthuli sings the liberation anthem Nkosi Sikel’I Afrika and all the assembly soon joins in singing or humming the anthem.

South Africa signs multilateral treaty extending the declaration on the provisional accession of Tunisia to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
1961: 12 December, Verwoerd tells the Council of Coloured Affairs that it will be transformed into a coloured ‘Parliament’ with a ‘Cabinet’, initially of four members, within the framework of a ten-year plan for the development towards self-determination of the Cape Coloured population.
1961: 16 December, Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) is formed to “hit back by all means within our power in defence of our people, our future and our freedom“.; Five bomb explosions occur in Johannesburg and five others at Port Elizabeth.

Handbills calling for sabotage are distributed in English and Zulu. During the night a series of explosions are set off, damaging a post office, several African affairs offices and electric power stations near Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
1961: 18 December, Three further attempts to sabotage buildings in and near Johannesburg are discovered.South Africa signs treaty with Sweden to further extend the period of validity of traffic rights granted to Scandinavian Airlines System.South Africa sgns treaty with Norway to further extend the period of validity of traffic rights.
1961: 21 December, As a result of investigations into the Port Elizabeth explosions, Security Police arrest and charge Robert H. Strachan with causing malicious damage to property.
1962: The Programme of action: the South African Communist Party adopts “The Road to South African Freedom”.; Fietas, Johannesburg: In 1962 there are 177 shops in the area with two mosques, four churches, two cinemas, 4 Islamic schools, 1 Hindu school, 1 Tamil school/temple/hall, 1 Indian girls’ school, 1 ‘coloured’ junior school, 1 ‘coloured’ college, 1 Indian junior school, a communal hall and a number of social clubs. The Queenspark Sports Grounds next to the cemetery on Krause Street is also considered part of Fietas. The residential stands in the area have an average of 4 cottages on them.

The Minister of Justice continues issuing a series of house arrest orders confining people to their homes for a period of five years.

Sonia Bunting is placed under house arrest.Florence Matomela is banned and restricted to Port Elizabeth, where she is subsequently sent to prison for five years for furthering aims of ANC. Winnie Mandela is banned under Suppression of Communism Act, and restricted to Orlando Township.After ANC is outlawed, Dorothy Nyembe becomes President of Natal Rural Areas Committee and organises anti-government demonstrations with rural women during the Natal Women’s Revolt. Lillian Ngoyi is banned and confined to Orlando Township. Cissie Gool receives LLB degree from UCT and is admitted as an advocate to the Supreme Court.Ruth Mompati goes into exile and becomes secretary and head of the Women’s Section of the ANC in Tanzania.

Anti-Indian Legislation: The Sabotage Bill is tabled.

Poqo uprisings in the Cape result in vicious killings, particularly of Whites.

Eleven fans die at Jeppe Station, Johannesburg, following Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates derby football match at Natalspruit. 10 000 spectators in Maseru, Lesotho (then Basutoland) watch the Whites-only Germiston Callies defeat the Black Pirates by 3 goals to1.Orlando Pirates Women’s Football Club and Mother City Girls are among the first (short-lived) Black women’s football teams.

Sabotage Act is introduced.
1962: January, Nelson Mandela secretly leaves South Africa to attend a Pan African Freedom Movement conference in Addis Ababa. He travels to other countries to receive military training and then comes back into the country to continue operating underground.; Mandela is smuggled out of the country. He attends the Pan-African Freedom Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which is hosted by Tambo. He addresses the Conference and meets Emperor Haile Selassie. Mandela canvasses support in North and West African countries, meets Col. Boumedienne of Algeria, commander in chief of the army of National Liberation, and undergoes training in demolition and mortar firing. He meets Nyerere and Kaunda who later head their states, and Oginga Odinga, the opposition leader in Kenya. He flies to Britain where he meets Hugh Gaitskell and Jo Grimond, Labour and Liberal Party leaders. Winnie Mandela is banned for two years. Mandela returns to South Africa, and is met at the border and driven to Johannesburg. The Congress of Democrats is banned. Mandela visits Luthuli on his return to Johannesburg; he is disguised as a chauffeur.
1962: 13 January, Fietas, Johannesburg: A census is held determining that there are 177 shops in the area. Population:Indian – 4125‘Coloured’ – 501Malay – 860Chinese – 59‘African’ – unknown
1962: 17 January, The Department of Justice announces that the charges against A.K. Ganyile have been dropped, the government regrets the incident, Ganyile is released, returns to Basutoland and later claims damages against the Minister of Justice and the policemen concerned.Leaders of the South African National Convention Movement, a coloured opposition organisation, completely reject Dr Verwoerd’s plan as offering them ‘sovereignty in no area but subservient in all’.
1962: 21 January, The President of the Newspaper Press Union of South Africa, M.V. Jooste, issues the draft of a voluntary Press Code, including proposals for the setting up of a three-man Board of Reference.
1962: 23 January, Dr Verwoerd, announces his plan for the granting of ‘self-rule’ to the Transkei. It is to have its own Parliament and Cabinet, separate citizenship and control over agriculture, education, health, social services and roads with defence, foreign affairs and justice remaining in the hands of the central government in the meantime.
1962: 31 January, The government’s proposals for self-government for the Transkei are submitted to the committee of twenty-seven chiefs and headmen appointed by the Transkeian Territory Authority to press its claims.South Africa signs treaty with Luxemburg relating to air services.
1962: 1 February, A statement entitled ‘We don’t want crumbs’ appears in New Age. In the statement Albert Luthuli unequivocally rejects the Government’s homelands policy.
1962: 7 February, Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe go from house to house in Orlando, Johannesburg and rally support amongst the residents against the government’s policy in respect of Bantu Urban Councils.; Beginning of International Solidarity Campaign.
1962: 19 February, The first part of the South African Press Commission’s first report is tabled in parliament by the Minister of the Interior, De Klerk. The report, which has taken eleven years to draw up, consists of two volumes totaling 700 pages, with nineteen annexures running to 1 566 pages. It strongly recommends that the South African Press Association (SAPA) gives more say in its affairs to the Afrikaans-language press.
1962: 20 February, South Africa signs a treaty amending the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
1962: 22 February, South Africa signs a parcel post agreement with Canada.
1962: 12 March, The Defence Minister, J.J. Fouche, outlines the basic principles of South Africa’s defence policy and gives a detailed of measures being taken to build up the Defence Forces and to make South Africa self-supporting in military equipment.
1962: 21 March, The minister of finance, Dr.Eben Dönges, introduces a budget of national security with increased expenditure on defence.
1962: 23 March, The Minister of Water Affairs announces an ambitious scheme to harness the Orange River for power and irrigation at a cost of R450 million, spread over about thirty years.
1962: 29 March, The Minister of Defence J.J. Fouché discloses that South Africa is buying supersonic Mirage III jet fighters from France, and that South African forces are being equipped with French Alouette helicopters.
1962: 6 April, South Africa signs a multilateral agreement for the accession of Israel to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
1962: 30 April, South Africa signs treaty with Germany extending the economic agreement of 28 August 1951.
1962: May, Under a government sponsored Bill, which received its third reading in the House of Assembly on 8 February 1962, a Coloured Development Corporation with a share capital of R500 000 (£250 000 Sterling) is established to aid coloured businessmen in developing and enlarging their own industries in the townships reserved for them.; End of may, Victorio Carpio repudiates Pretoria statement.
1962: 3 May, South Africa signs a multilateral procés-verbal extending the declaration on the provisional accession of the Swiss Confederation to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
1962: 4 May, The Transkeian Territory Authority approves the draft Constitution as a whole, after considerable controversy, mainly concerning the composition of the Legislative Assembly.
1962: 6 May, United Nations representatives of the committee to investigate the conditions in South West Africa, Victorio Carpio (Philippines) and Dr Martinez de Alva (Mexico), begin informal talks with Dr Verwoerd and South African officials in Pretoria. They subsequently visit South Africa and return to Pretoria.
1962: 8 May, R.H. Strachan is found guilty of conspiring to cause bomb explosions and is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
1962: 17 May, Dr Jan Steytler, leader of the Progressive Party, launches a nationwide protest campaign against the General Laws Amendment Bill, published by the government on 12 May 1962 defining the crime of sabotage in the widest terms.
1962: 23 May, South Africa signs an amendment agreement with Great Britain on sugar for Swaziland.
1962: 24 May, A Bill replacing the Republic of South Africa (Temporary Provisions) Act, due to expire on 31 May 1962, is enacted and receives the Royal Assent. It is designed to regulate finally the operation of British law in relation to South Africa.
1962: 26 May, A joint statement is issued, agreed to by Dr Verwoerd, Victorio Carpio, Dr de Alva and the Foreign minister, Eric Low, indicating that no evidence has been found in SWA of genocide by South Africa, or of any excessive military occupation. The conditions there do not constitute a threat to world peace.
1962: 28 May, South Africa signs a convention with Great Britain on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
1962: June, The General Laws Amendment Act (Sabotage Act) is passed.
1962: 4 June, South Africa signs agreement with Great Britain for the temporary suspension of the margin of preference on tin plate.
1962: 11 June, South Africa signs cultural agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany.
1962: 12 June, South Africa signs amendment to the co-operation agreement with the United States.
1962: 20 June, South Africa signs agreement with Japan on the safeguards of materials transferred to Japan of the International Atomic Energy Agency.The International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, issues a 2 000-word statement asserting that the ‘the Sabotage Bill’ reduces the liberty of the subject to a degree ‘not surpassed by the most extreme dictatorship of the Left or Right’.
1962: 23 June, The African delegates and others walk out of the International Labour Conference in Geneva when delegates of the Government and employers of South Africa go to the rostrum to participate in the general debate on the Director-General\’s report.In 1961, the conference had asked the Governing Body to forward a request to the South African government to withdraw from the ILO in view of its apartheid policy. The Government ignored the request and sent its three delegations to the conference. The ILO Constitution has no provision for excluding a member.
1962: 27 June, Parliament passes the General Law Amendment Act – the ‘Sabotage Bill’ – sponsored by the Minister of Justice, B.J. Vorster, defining sabotage in the widest terms and prescribing a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of death. Its purpose is to combat communism.; General Law Amendment Act (Sabotage Act) No 76: Increases the State President’s power to declare organisations unlawful. Further restrictions can be imposed in banning orders, restricting movement. Persons can now even be banned from social gatherings, including having more than one visitor at a time. The Minister is able to list banned persons in the Government Gazette (GG). This Act creates the offence of sabotage by providing that any person who commits any wrongful and wilful act whereby he/she injures, obstructs, tampers with or destroys the health or safety of the public, the maintenance of law and order, the supply of water, light, power, fuel or foodstuffs, sanitary, medical, or fire extinguishing services can be tried for sabotage (Horrell 1978: 443).Commenced: 27 June 1962.Section 16 repealed by the State of Emergency Act No 86 of 1995.
1962: July - September, Seventy-five serious fires attributed to widespread arson are reported in Natal.
1962: 10 July, South Africa:Signs the International Wheat Agreement.
1962: 23 July, Ben Turok is sentenced to three years imprisonment for attempting to cause an explosion in the centre of Johannesburg in February.
1962: 26 July, South Africa signs multilateral recommendations under article IX of the Antarctic Treaty.
1962: 30 July, Under the provisions of the General Law Amendment Act of 1962 a list of 102 persons prohibited from attending gatherings is published in the Government Gazette. It includes Patrick Duncan, Albert Luthuli, Duma Nokwe, Ronald Segal, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Benjamin Turok.
1962: 1 August, South Africa signs multilateral agreement for the accession of Portugal to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1962: 3 August, The United Nations Special Committee on South West Africa disowns the Pretoria statement.
1962: 5 August, Nelson Mandela, who went underground in 1961, is arrested near Durban. He is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on November 7, 1962; then tried again, while in prison in the “Rivonia Trial“ and sentenced to life imprisonment.
1962: 7 August, The South African Congress of Democrats is banned by the Minister of Justice under the Suppression of Communism Act.
1962: 8 August, South Africa signs treaty with Great Britain, extending to South West Africa the Convention of 28 May 1962 on the avoidance of double taxation and the avoidance of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
1962: 15 August, The Liquor Laws Amendment Bill, under which Africans are for the first time allowed to buy liquor freely, comes into effect. Introduced on 9 June 1961, given a second reading on 19 June 1961, its third on 24 June 1961 and subsequently approved by the senate, its long delay in implementation is attributed to the large number of applications for liquor licences received.
1962: 16 August, South Africa signs amendment with Great Britain on the Ottawa Trade Agreement of 20 August 1932.
1962: 17 August, The Defence Minister, J.J. Fouché, announces that the striking power of the Defence Force has been increased twenty-fold as compared with two years earlier, while that of the Navy is to be increased ten-fold in the next few years.
1962: 24 August, African delegations requests Secretary-General U Thant to help obtain the release of Nelson Mandela. In a statement, they condemn the arrest on 5 August and note that he was held under the Sabotage Act, which carries a possible death penalty.
1962: 31 August, South Africa signs a visa agreement with Austria.
1962: 7 September, The South African Congress of Democrats is banned by the Minister of Justice under the Suppression of Communism Act.
1962: 14 September, South Africa signs a visa agreement with Belgium.
1962: 28 September, South Africa signs an International Coffee Agreement.
1962: October, ANC conference in Botswana; End-October: The Minister of Justice continues issuing a series of house arrest orders confining people to their homes for a period of five years.

ANC Conference is held in Botswana. Delegates come from all over South Africa and from abroad.Vorster says that the biggest danger confronting South Africa is not communism, but liberalism. He warns the English press which continued to be the mouthpiece for the Congress Alliance. The Minister of Justice issues the first house arrest order under the new Sabotage Act against Mrs. Helen Joseph, national vice-president of the banned Congress of Democrats. The order is valid for five years. Minister of Justice Vorster issued an order banning until 30 April 1963 all meetings to protest against arrest, trial or conviction of any person. The order is understood to have been issued to counter demonstrations in connection with the trial of Nelson Mandela and the house arrest orders.

Albert Luthuli is elected rector by the students of Glasgow University in recognition of his “dignity and restraint” in “a potentially inflammatory situation”.
1962: 13 October, The first restrictions to house arrest under the Sabotage Act are imposed in Johannesburg on Helen Joseph.
1962: 19 October, The office of the Minister of Agricultural Economics and Marketing is rocked by an explosion in Pretoria.
1962: 27 October - 28 October, 45 African (and one Indian) leaders from South Africa meet at Lobatsi, Bechuanaland, to make plans to step up political activity. They are said to have been warned that unless their efforts against the government are intensified, funds from African states will be cut off.
1962: 6 November, At its 17th session, the United Nations General Assembly adopts a resolution on South Africa’s racial policies, deploring the failure of the South African government to abandon its racial policies, and establishing a Special Committee to keep these under review. The resolution favours diplomatic and economic sanctions against South Africa and asks that the UN Security Council consider expelling South Africa from the Council.
1962: 6 November, The General Assembly requests Member States to take specific measures to bring about the abandonment of apartheid, including breaking of diplomatic, trade and transport relations. It also sets up a Special Committee to follow developments and report to the General Assembly and the Security Council. [Resolution 1761(XII)][From its session in 1962, the General Assembly combined the items on the treatment of Indians in South Africa and on apartheid into one item: “Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa”.]
1962: 7 November, Mandela is sentenced to five years imprisonment.
1962: 9 November, The Minister of Justice states that there have been 23 attempts of sabotage from late September to date. Nearly 60 African suspects are reported to have been arrested.
1962: 15 November, Thirty-eight African and Asian delegations table a draft resolution in the Trusteeship Committee asking for an effective United Nations ‘presence’ in South West Africa, and asking the General Assembly to reaffirm ‘the inalienable right of the people of South West Africa to independence and national sovereignty.’ Uganda Prime Minister Milton Obote announces a boycott of South African goods.
1962: 16 November, A list of 437 persons said to have been office-bearers, officers, members or active supporters of the banned Communist Party of South Africa is published. Listed persons are banned from belonging to 36 specified organisations and ordered to cease membership of such organizations by 1 February 1963.
1962: 21 November, In an outbreak of violence at Paarl, Cape Province, two whites are beaten to death and seven blacks are shot during a march on a police station by about 100 blacks.
1962: 27 November, Seven people are killed in Paarl. Africans march on the police station to free prisoners arrested in recent killings. When the police open fire, there were disturbances in the town. The Minister of Justice appoints Mr. Justice J. H. Snyman to inquire into the causes of violence.
1962: 29 November, President Swart appoints a one-man commission to inquire into the riots at Paarl.
1962 - 1964: December - June, In this period over 300 sentences are passed for such crimes as political murder, arson, acts of sabotage and bomb throwing, as well as for membership of banned organisation such as Poqo and the ANC. Forty death sentences are imposed in addition to numerous sentences of life imprisonment and lesser terms, at trials throughout the country.
1962: 1 December, South Africa signs a loan agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development concerning the seventh Transport Project.
1962 - 1963: 7 December - 13 March, The Paarl Riots Commissioner, Justice J.H. Snyman hears evidence at Paarl and elsewhere. Detailed information on the nature and activities of the Poqo organisation is obtained. It is equated with the PAC.
1962: 10 December, Albert Luthuli and Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr issue a joint statement “Appeal for Action Against Apartheid”
1962: 21 December, The International Court of Justice at The Hague rules, by the narrow majority of eight votes to seven, that it has jurisdiction in the case brought by Ethiopia and Liberia alleging that South Africa has violated its mandate over South West Africa.Dr Verwoerd intimates that the government proposes to introduces legislation providing for the extension of the territorial sea limit for South Africa and South West Africa from three to six nautical miles and establishment of a contiguous fishing zone extending to twelve miles from the base line.
1963: Sisulu’s wife Albertina is placed under banning orders (remains so until 1983); Police raid the secret headquarters of MK, arresting the leadership. This leads to the Rivonia Trial where the leaders of MK are charged with attempting to cause a violent revolution, and thus sentenced to life imprisonment.

Some ANC leaders - among them Oliver Tambo and Joe Slovo avoid arrest and leave the country. Other ANC members leave to undergo military training.

Fietas, Johannesburg: Harry, ‘the fat man’, a tramp living in Fietas disappears. On inquiry from his family in Soweto it is found that he has died, but later it transpires that he is alive and well.

Dorothy Nyembe is arrested for leading the Natal Women’s revolt where women refuse to fill cattle dipping tanks.

The United Arab Republic government informs the United Nations that it has banned South African ships from entering UAR ports, and that, while they will still be allowed to use the Suez Canal they will be denied all facilities there.The Rivonia Trial opens in a special court at Pretoria. Eleven men are charged with complicity in more than 200 acts of sabotage aimed at facilitating revolution and armed invasion of South Africa. The indictment is quashed on the grounds that the State has not provided sufficient details of the alleged offences, but a new indictment is prepared and the trial proceeds.

The Coloured Person’s Education Act places control over ’coloured’ education under the Department of Coloured Affairs. ’Coloured’ schools are also compelled to register with the government. ’Coloured’ education is made compulsory.

Miriam Makeba addresses the United Nations’ Special Committee Against Apartheid, in New York. Sonia Bunting goes into exile and continues to work for the Communist Party. She becomes organiser of the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners.Frances Baard is detained and held for 12 months in solitary confinement.Dorothy Nyembe is arrested for furthering the aims of the ANC and is sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Albertina Sisulu is arrested.

Steve Biko is introduced to politics as a teenager, when one of his older brothers, Khaya, a student at Lovedale High School, is arrested as a suspected Poqo member and jailed for three months. The South African Police interrogate Steve Biko in connection with his brother’s Pan Africanist activities, and Steve Biko is subsequently expelled from Lovedale. Steve Biko develops a strong antipathy toward White authority, and carries this attitude with him when he enters St Francis College at Marianhill in Natal, a liberal Catholic boarding school and one of the few remaining private high schools for Africans in South Africa.

The FIFA executive lifts the Football Association of South Africa’s (FASA) suspension. FASA announces it will send an all-White team to the 1966 World Cup, and an all-Black team to the 1970 World Cup. FIFA president Stanley Rous gets FASA temporarily reinstated in 1963, but FASA is again suspended in 1964. It is expelled from FIFA in 1976.

International Labour Organisation (ILO) votes to expel South Africa.
1963 - 1964: Repression under the 90 and 180-day detentions.; African students begin focussing their attention on the multi-racial National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) an outspoken anti-government organisation with a membership drawn heavily from White English-speaking universities, for want of a better vehicle to express their political aspirations.
1963: 1 January, Thousands of Commonwealth citizens resident in South Africa, mostly Britons, become technically aliens through failing to apply for permanent residence by 31 December 1962 under the Commonwealth Relations Act enacted on 15 June 1962.
1963: 11 January, Sisulu attends a secret meeting at the house of George Xarile together with F. Van Rensburg (a shift boss from Vlakfontein mine). It is understood that Van Rensburg made bombs for Sisulu - presumably from dynamite.
1963: 18 January, Parliament opens with the debate of ‘no confidence’ moved by the Leader of opposition Sir de Villiers Graaff. The prime minister defends the government’s Bantustan policy by attempting to establish the fact that it has been implicit in the National Party programme since it came to power in 1948.
1963: 5 February, A white family is savagely killed in their caravan whilst camping on the Bashee River in the Ingcobo area of the Transkei. Forty Africans are later arrested and twenty-two sentenced to death for the murders.
1963: 8 February, SA signs a favourable Nation Trade agreement with Spain.The government publishes the draft of the Bantu Laws Amendment Bill intended to remove most of the remaining rights of Africans in white areas, including the security of employment or residence.
1963: 11 February, The Defence Minister, J.J. Fouché, announces in the House of Assembly that he intends to increase the strength of the permanent army by fifty per cent.
1963: 19 February, The Minister of Defence announces the re-establishment, as of 1 April 1963 of the ‘Cape Corps’ of Coloureds to be employed in non-combatant roles.
1963: 20 February, Walter Sisulu attends a secret ANC meeting of the Phomolang branch.
1963: 22 February, South Africa signs agreement with Australia on air pollution.
1963: 23 February, At the annual conference of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Leopoldville, fifteen African states table a draft resolution requesting the United Nations Economic and Social Council to deprive SA of membership because of its policy of racial discrimination. The resolution is adopted by thirty votes, with Britain, France and Spain opposing it.
1963: 25 February, Potlako Leballo, claiming to be the leader of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), confirms in Maseru, Basutoland, that Poqo and the PAC are one and the same organisation and that its revolutionary council is discussing the timing and manner of an uprising to be launched in South Africa during 1963.
1963: 27 February, South Africa signs a treaty with the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland amending the trade agreement of 16 May 1960.
1963: 2 March, First meeting of the Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa (later renamed “Special Committee against Apartheid“).
1963: 4 March, Sisulu is sentenced in the Johannesburg Regional Court, to 6 years imprisonment under section 3 (1) (A) Act 8/53. Sisulu appeals, but bail is refused.; Walter Sisulu, former Secretary-General of the African National Congress is convicted of having incited African workers to strike in protest against the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act of 1961, and having furthered the aims of the ANC. He is sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.
1963: 9 March, Sisulu is released on R6 000 bail.
1963: 14 March; The Publications and Entertainment Bill, which has been before a select Committee for nearly two years, passes its third reading in the House of Assembly by 60 votes to 40. The Minister of Interior is to appoint a Publications Control Board to control importation, distribution, exhibition, sale or possession of any publications deemed ‘undesirable’
1963: 15 March, The Defence Minister, J.J. Fouché, gives the Senate details of South Africa’s defence programme and replies to statements made by Harold Wilson on the British Labour Party’s attitude to arms supplies to South Africa.
1963: 20 March, Police obtain information that Sisulu is an office bearer of Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation).; The Budget introduced by the Minister of Finance, Dr. T.E. Dönges, provides the record sum of R202 million for defence and internal security.
1963: 21 March, Justice Snyman, judge in the Cape division of the Supreme Court, produces an Interim Report of his inquiry into the Paarl riots. This develops into an investigation into the Poqo organization, operating from Basutoland in collusion with subversive groups in the Transkei and its involvement in the murders and terror in the Eastern Province and the Transkei. The report is immediately tabled in the house of Assembly by the Minister of Justice B.J. Vorster, who announces that he accepts the judge’s findings and will act on them.
1963: 25 March, Potlako Leballo, claiming to be the leader of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), confirms in Maseru, Basutoland, that Poqo and the PAC are one and the same organisation and that its revolutionary council is discussing the timing and manner of an uprising to be launched in South Africa during 1963.
1963: 26 March, Sisulu attends an ANC party in Dube Pokaso. The party is held in aid of strengthening ANC funds
1963: 1 April, The Foreign Officer of the Philippines announces that it has instructed its Commerce Department, the National Marketing Corporation and the Bureau of Customs, to implement a boycott of all South African goods as well as to halt exports to South Africa.
1963: 2 April, First meeting of the Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa (later renamed “Special Committee against Apartheid“).
1963: 3 April, Sisulu placed under 84 hours house arrest.; South Africa:Signs a treaty with Great Britain on the temporary suspension of the tariff preference on crude oil.
1963: 6 April, South Africa signs a Parcel Post agreement with Japan.
1963: 8 April, South Africa signs an amendment to the constitution of the International Labour Organisation.
1963: 14 April, South Africa signs a treaty with Bechuanaland protectorate on radio-tele-communications and meteorological services at Maun.
1963: 18 April, The Foreign Minister states that the South African government is unable to assist the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid since its establishment is contrary to the provisions of the United Nations.
1963: 19 April, Security Police visit Sisulu’s house and find that Sisulu has fled.
1963: 20 April, The Rand Daily Mail reports that Sisulu has fled to Bechuanaland.; South Africa signs the Olive Oil Agreement.
1963: 22 April, The Transvaler reports that Sisulu has not yet arrived in Bechuanaland. The Star, however, alleges that he has been seen in Bechuanaland.
1963: 23 April, Dr. Verwoerd, states in Parliament that if political refugees in the British Protectorates are allowed to organise revolution against South Africa then these territories must expect retaliation.
1963: 24 April, The Pretoria News alleges that Sisulu has arrived in Lorenco Marques, Mozambique, on the 24th of April 1963 according to a press report in the L.M. newspapers.; South Africa signs the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.The Minister of Justice introduces a General Laws Amendment Bill implementing Justice Snyman’s recommendations establishing emergency courts to deal with cases arising from Poqo activities, and gives the Minister power to detain anyone without trial in solitary confinement for ninety days, and thereafter for further periods of ninety days, at the Minister’s discretion. The Minister is also given powers to detain without trial anyone who has been convicted of an offence endangering the security of the state. Only Helen Suzman, representing the Progressive Party, opposes the Bill in toto.
1963: 26 April, At a meeting in Oslo, the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden and the Icelandic Ambassador call upon South Africa to change its racial policies and to cooperate with the United Nations.
1963: 30 April, Walter Sisulu is in Lobatse.; Algeria announces a total boycott of South Africa.Three listed white communists serving sentences of house of arrest, escape to Bechuanaland.
1963: May, The security police begins 90-day arrests. A widespread purge of ‘subversive elements’ is undertaken.
1963: 1 May, Prime Minister Vorster announces that Robert Sobukwe has been taken to Robben Island, where he will be detained indefinitely in terms of the General Laws Amendment Bill of 29 Apr.1963.
1963: 2 May, General Law Amendment Act No 37:Section 17, the ninety-day detention law, authorises any commissioned officer to detain - without a warrant - any person suspected of a political crime and to hold them for ninety days without access to a lawyer (Horrell 1978: 469). In practice people are often released after ninety days only to be re-detained on the same day for a further ninety-day period. The ‘Sobukwe clause’ allows for a person convicted of political offences to be detained for a further twelve months. The Act also allows for further declaration of unlawful organisations. The State President can declare any organisation or group of persons which has come into existence since 7 April 1960 to be unlawful. This enables the government to extend to Umkhonto we Sizwe and Poqo the restrictions already in force on the ANC and the PAC (Horrell 1978: 416).Commenced: 2 May 1963, except ssctions 3, 9 & 14, which came into effect at different times.Sections 3-7 and 14-17 repealed by the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982.
1963: 7 May, South Africa signs agreement with Portugal.
1963: 8 May, Exchanges notes with Scandinavia amending the Air Agreements of December 1961The United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid publishes its first Interim Report, recording with satisfaction the number of countries that have broken off diplomatic and commercial relations with South Africa, but noting with regret that nearly 20 member states still maintain these.The British Ambassador in Pretoria and High Commissioner for the Protectorates, Sir John Maud, confirms that a distinction is made between ordinary political refugees and people who flee to the Protectorates to organize revolution. It is Britain’s policy ‘to prevent action in any territory designed to foment violence in the Republic’
1963: 16 May, South Africa signs the Ocean Mail Contract with the Union Castle Company.
1963: 24 May, The Transkei Self-Government Bill is enacted, giving, for the first time, limited self-government to Africans in a defined area. It incorporates the draft Constitution for the Transkei, as finally approved by the Transkei Territorial Authority in December 1962.
1963: 30 May, Transkei Constitution Act No 48:Self-government granted to Transkei.Commenced: 30 May 1963Repealed by Sch 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act No 200 of 1993.
1963: 5 June, South Africa signs treaty with Great Britain on the release from the bound margin of preference of 10% ad valorem on certain preserved fruits.; Number of alleged Poqo members arrested is 3 246. (House of Assembly, June 12).
1963: 25 June, South Africa signs provisional air agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany.The final report by Justice Snyman on the Paarl Riots is submitted to Parliament. It analyses the main causes of the riots.
1963: 26 June, Sisulu speaks on “Freedom Radio“ and urges the youth to join forces and continue the struggle to fight for freedom.
1963: 27 June, South Africa signs treaty with Bechuanaland Protectorate on postal services and insured parcels.
1963: 28 June - 30 June, The governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meets in Geneva to discuss emergency measures against South Africa and the problems its membership poses. It is resolved that South Africa should be excluded from ILO meetings.
1963: 2 July, Cameroon closes its sea and air ports to both Portugal and South Africa.
1963: 3 July, Extension of University Education Amendment Act No 67:Amended the 1959 Extension of University Education Act and the University College of Fort Hare Transfer Act No 64 of 1959.Commenced: 3 July 1963Repealed by section 21 of the Tertiary Education Act No 66 of 1988.
1963: 4 July, South Africa signs treaty with Swaziland on postal services including parcel post.
1963: 6 July, Robert John McBride is born in the Coloured section of Addington Hospital, Durban. His father Derrick Robert McBride and mother Doris are teachers at a Clairwood school. His maternal grandparents were Collin Campbell van Niekerk, a White Afrikaner, and Grace, a Coloured daughter of a Zulu-speaking mother and a Coloured father.Robert grows up in Wentworth, a suburb 11km from the city centre of Durban. Converted from a World War 2 military transit camp, Wentworth is flanked by the industrial area of Jacobs and an oil refinery, and is reserved for Coloured people.
1963: 11 July, Walter Sisulu is arrested and detained under Section 17 of Act No. 37 of 1963.
1963: 12 July, Hungary announces the breaking-off of trade relations with South Africa.The Security Police surrounds a house in Rivonia and arrests eighteen people, including Walter Sisulu, former Secretary-General of the banned African National Congress and Ahmed Kathrada, who had also gone ‘underground’ from house arrests.
1963: 13 July, The government of India announces that it is cutting India’s last remaining links with South Africa by refusing landing and passage facilities to South African aircraft.The Security police disclose the existence of an underground group the Yu Chi Chan, said to include people trained in Peking and Algeria for sabotage in South Africa.
1963: 15 July, Dr Verwoerd announces that the government has decided to withdraw from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) owing to the hostility shown by African states
1963: 16 July, Ivory Coast closes sea and airports to South Africa and Portugal.
1963: 18 July, The United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid releases its second Interim Report recommending an effective embargo on the supply of arms and ammunition, and of petroleum.Harold Wolpe, a Johannesburg solicitor, and listed Communist, is arrested on the Bechuanaland border.
1963: 22 July, Ethiopia closes her airspace to South African aircraft.
1963: 26 July, The British High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland issues the Prevention of Violence Abroad Proclamation, which makes it an offence for persons to conspire against, or incite, or instigate violence in South Africa or other neighbouring territories. It comes into immediate effect.
1963: 30 July, In the Geneva session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, an Argentinian resolution states that South Africa shall not take part in the work of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) until conditions for constructive co-operation have been restored by a change of its racial policy. The resolution is adopted by six votes to two, with ten abstentions.Yugoslavia closes its consular office in Johannesburg.
1963: 31 July - 6 August, The United Nations Security Council debates the South African situation. The SA government reaffirms its decision not to participate in the debate arguing that discussions would be on matters it considers to fall solely within its domestic jurisdiction.
1963: August, The Christian Institute of southern Africa, a non-racial interdenominational organisation, is founded under the directorship of Rev. C. F. Beyers Naudé.
1963: 1 August - 30 September, South Africa signs a multilateral treaty for the prolongation of the International Sugar Agreement.
1963: 6 August, Guinea announces that she has broken off diplomatic, commercial and cultural relations with South Africa and Portugal, and has banned the entry of their nationals into Guinea.
1963: 7 August, The United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 181 calling upon all states to cease forthwith the sale and shipment of arms, ammunition and military vehicles to South Africa.South Africa is denied landing and over flying rights by the United Arab Republic as from this date.
1963: 8 August, South Africa signs an amendment to the sugar agreement of 3 June 1957 with Great Britain.
1963: 10 August, Dr K.G. Abrahams is arrested in the Gobabis area of South West Africa and is subsequently charged with bei