| 1654 |
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Introduction of convicts and slaves from India and South East Asia to the Cape. |
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| 1820 |
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A number of Indians arrive in Cape Town from Bencoolen. A certain Mr Hare, who gives security that they will not become chargeable to the Colony, brings them to the Cape. |
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| 1843 |
August |
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Natal becomes a British Crown Colony ruled from the Cape |
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| 1856 |
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The Natal Charter of 1856 is proclaimed and Natal receives representative self-government. Most councillors in the Legislature are elected, but the Government appoints the executive. The right to vote is based on property qualification. |
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| 1859 |
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After protracted negotiations between the Natal Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Natal Coolie Law, Law no. 14 of 1859 is passed. This law makes it possible for the Natal Colony to introduce the immigration of Indians as indentured labour, with labourers having the option to return to India at the end of the five-year period, in which case a free passage would be provided. The system also provides for the labourers to re-indenture for a further five-year period, which would make them eligible to settle permanently in the colony. Upon completion of their indenture, the indentured Indian labourers are also entitled to a gift of crown land and full citizenship rights. This proviso was later withdrawn in with the proclamation of Act No. 25 of 1891, in order to discourage the settlement of Indians in the province.After protracted negotiations between the Natal Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Natal Coolie Law, Law no. 14 of 1859 is passed. This law makes it possible for the Natal Colony to introduce the immigration of Indians as indentured labour, with labourers having the option to return to India at the end of the five-year period, in which case a free passage would be provided. The system also provides for the labourers to re-indenture for a further five-year period, which would make them eligible to settle permanently in the colony. Upon completion of their indenture, the indentured Indian labourers are also entitled to a gift of crown land and full citizenship rights. This proviso was later withdrawn in with the proclamation of Act No. 25 of 1891, in order to discourage the settlement of Indians in the province. |
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| 1860 |
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Free Indians reach the diamond fields of Griqualand West, near Kimberley in the Cape Colony.
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| 1860 |
26 October |
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The second batch of 342 indentured Indian labourers arrive in Durban on board the Belvedere from Calcutta.
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| 1860 |
16 November |
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The first batch of 342 indentured Indian labourers arrive in Durban on board the Truro. |
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| 1866 - 74 |
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The immigration of indentured Indian labourers to Natal is discontinued. |
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| 1869 |
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The first “passenger Indians” arrive in Durban. The appellation “passenger Indians” refers to Indian immigrant traders, artisans, teachers, shop assistants etc. who paid their own passage to the Natal Colony. |
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| 1869 |
2 October |
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| 1872 |
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The Coolie Consolidation Amendment Act, Law No. 12 of 1872 makes provision for a Protector of Indian Immigrants, abolishes flogging for breaches of the Masters and Servants Act and the improvement of medical treatment for Indian immigrants. |
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| 1872 |
25 November |
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Colonel Price-Lloyd is appointed as the first Protector of Indian Immigrants and he immediately begins to build up a suitable administrative system in order to give effect to Law No. 12 of 1872. |
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| 1874 |
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At a time of extreme labour shortage, the Cape Colonial Government investigates the possibilities of importing labour from India or China for the construction of a railway, but eventually decides in favour of using African |
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| 1874 |
22 January |
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The Immigration Trust Board is established in Natal under Law No. 208 of 1874.
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| 1876 |
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The Free State Republic passes legislation allowing Indians to enter the Republic with the understanding that they have no permanent right of residence.
The names of three Indians, Tamarand, Tandryer and Vennellas, appear on the voter's roll for the District of Kimberley in the Cape Colony. |
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| 1877 |
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The first recorded passenger Indians travelling to the diamond fields of Griqualand West, near Kimberley in the Cape Colony, arrive in Port Elizabeth from India, via Mauritius.
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| 1880 |
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Passenger Indians begin to arrive in considerable numbers on the diamond fields of Griqualand West, near Kimberley in the Cape Colony.
Passenger Indians also begin to arrive in Table Bay, Cape Town, taking up employment in Cape Town and surrounding areas.
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| 1885 |
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The first discriminatory legislation directed at Indians, Law No. 3 of 1885, is passed in the South African Republic (Transvaal).
1.This law shall apply to the persons belonging to any of the native races of Asia, including so-called Coolies, Arabs, Malays, and Mohammedan subjects of the Turkish Empire.
2.With regard to the persons mentioned in Article One the following provisions shall apply:-
(a)They cannot obtain the burgher right of the South African Republic (Transvaal).
(b)They cannot be owners of fixed property in the Republic except only in such streets, wards and locations as the Government for purposes of sanitation shall assign to them to live in.
(c)They shall be inscribed in a Register, if they settled with the object of trading.
(d)The government shall have the right for purposes of sanitation, to assign to them certain streets, wards and locations to live in. This provision does not apply to those who live with employers.
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| 1885 |
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Sir Henry Ernest Bulwer appoints a commission under Justice Walter Thomas Wragg to investigate the position of Natal Indian immigrants and the impact of new Indian immigrants on the Natal Colony. The Commission delivers its report in 1887. |
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| 1885 |
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About 200 indentured Indians from Natal, who absconded from their employers, are living in Port Elizabeth by 1885. |
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| 1887 |
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There are between 700 and 1000 Indians working on the diamond fields of Griqualand West, near Kimberley in the Cape Colony. |
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| 1888 |
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The Registration of Servants Act, Law No. 2 of 1888 is passed in Natal. This law classifies Indians as members of an “uncivilized race” and they are hence liable to register. Free Indians are also forced to carry passes or court arrest.
The South African Republic rejects a British Indian petition and places the Asiatics in the same category as the indigenous African population, i.e. as labourers.
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| 1890 |
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In the Orange Free State, the “ Law to Provide Against the Influx of Asiatics and the Removal of White Criminals Entering This State From Elsewhere”, Act No. 29 of 1890, is passed. There are only 9 licensed Indian traders in the Free State at this time.
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| 1891 |
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The Statute Law of the Orange Free State prohibits an Arab, a Chinaman, an Indian or any other Asiatic or coloured person from carrying on conducting business or farming in the Orange Free State. All Indian businesses are forced to close by 11 September 1891 and the owners are deported from the State without compensation. At least three members of the Coovadia family are among those people expelled. The Statute Law of the Orange Free State prohibits an Arab, a Chinaman, an Indian or any other Asiatic or coloured person from carrying on conducting business or farming in the Orange Free State. All Indian businesses are forced to close by 11 September 1891 and the owners are deported from the State without compensation. At least three members of the Coovadia family are among those people expelled. |
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| 1893 |
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The British Indian Political Association is established by Indian residents of Kimberley to oppose the threat of special class legislation adverse to their interests.
|
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| 1893 |
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MK (Mahatma) Gandhi arrives in Durban from India to represent Seth Dada Abdullah, a wealthy Muslim business and community leader in, in a legal suit against his cousin.
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| 1894 |
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The Franchise Bill is introduced in Natal with its aim to disenfranchise Indians. This issue initiates Mahatma Gandhi's political career and leads to the founding of the first SA Indian political organisation, the Natal Indian Congress.
|
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| 1894 |
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A critical shortage of agricultural labour leads to the appointment of the Labour Commission by the Cape Colonial Government. The Commission comes out strongly against the idea of importing labour from India and China.
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| 1894 |
22 August |
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The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) is formed with Dada Abdullah Haji Adam as Chairperson and Mahatma Gandhi as secretary. As a result of NIC-led protests against the Franchise Act, the British Government does not sanction the Act, but the Act is reintroduced in 1896. The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) is formed with Dada Abdullah Haji Adam as Chairperson and Mahatma Gandhi as secretary. As a result of NIC-led protests against the Franchise Act, the British Government does not sanction the Act, but the Act is reintroduced in 1896. The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) is formed with Dada Abdullah Haji Adam as Chairperson and Mahatma Gandhi as secretary. As a result of NIC-led protests against the Franchise Act, the British Government does not sanction the Act, but the Act is reintroduced in 1896. |
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| 1895 |
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Through the promulgation of the Indian Immigration Law Amendment Act, Law No. 17 of 1895, the Colony of Natal imposes a £3 ‘penalty' tax on ex-indentured Indians who fail to re-indenture or return to India after completion of their labour contracts. In 1903, the act is extended to girls aged 13 and older and boys aged 16 and older.
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| 1896 |
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The Franchise Act, Act No 8 of 1896, disenfranchises Indians. Africans were disenfranchised in 1865. Only three Africans and 251 Indians ever acquired voting rights in Natal. In 1896, there were 9309 White voters registered in Natal.
In the Cape Colony all male British subjects, regardless of colour, possess the franchise subject to an educational and income or property qualification. Indians as Non-Whites could both stand for election and send members to Parliament.
In the South African (Transvaal) and Orange Free State Republics, male suffrage is confined to Whites only.
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| 1896 |
17 April |
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The Tongaat Sugar Company successfully applies to the Natal Immigration Trust Board to indenture artisans from India. |
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| 1896 |
18 September |
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The European Protection Association is set up in Pietermaritzburg and calls for the limitation of Indian immigration and the compulsory repatriation of time-expired indentured labourers.
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| 1896 |
26 November |
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Europeans hold an anti-Indian mass meeting in Durban. At the meeting, they condemn Mahatma Gandhi and set up the Colonial Patriotic Union.
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| 1897 |
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A petition is taken up by the townspeople of East London in protest against the influx of Asiatics into the town.
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| 1897 |
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The lmmigration Restriction Act (Natal) and its subsequent amendments in 1900, 1903, and 1906 imposes an educational, health, age and means test against Indians, other than indentured workers, seeking admission to the country, or entry to the Transvaal and Cape. This act virtually stops all further immigration of free Indians into the colony
The Dealers Licenses Act, Act No 18 of 1897 is proclaimed in Natal. In terms of this Act, licensing officers are empowered to issue or refuse licenses to Indian traders.
Act No. 3 of 1897 prohibits the marriage of Whites with persons of colour in the South African Republic (Transvaal).
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| 1897 |
7 May |
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The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) collects £1 539 1s. 9d. from South African Indians for famine relief in India. |
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| 1898 |
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Act No. 15 of 1898 prohibits any person of colour from being a licenced holder, or to be in any way connected with the workings of the diggings in the South African Republic (Transvaal).
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| 1898 |
8 August |
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Indians lose a test case in the Transvaal High Court, which rules that Law 3 of 1883 restricts both their residential and trading rights to Indian locations. |
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| 1899 |
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The Regulations for Towns are proclaimed in the South African Republic (Transvaal). It states that persons of colour are prohibited from walking on the sidewalks (pavements), or stoeps serving as a sidewalk, of the streets of its towns.
‘Coolie locations' are established for Indians in Transvaal, most notably Fordsburg, Braamfontein and Jeppestown in Johannesburg, the area along the Sterkfontein Road in Krugersdorp, and the Asiatic Bazaar in Prinsloo and Church Streets in Pretoria. In addition, locations were also established in Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom.
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| 1899 |
24 March |
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The Transvaal agent to British High Commissioner reports that the total Indian population in the South African Republic numbers approximately 17,000, and that of this number about 5,500 are merchants and hawkers.
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| 1899 |
11 October |
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Beginning of the Anglo Boer War/South African War. Blacks are evacuated from the Transvaal. The majority of Indians leave for Cape and Natal Colonies, Mozambique and India.
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| 1900 |
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The East London Mayor's Minute for 1899-1900 states that 1000 refugees from war in the Transvaal and the Free State are camping on the city's beaches, while a further 3 000 are being accommodated in hotels in the city. In addition, ‘about 1000 Coolies and natives [are] located near the East Bank Location'. Public health measures are enforced when an Indian refugee from the Transvaal comes down with smallpox, but the isolation of his contacts and his removal to hospital prevents any spread of the disease.
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| 1902 |
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The Immigration Act is passed in the Cape Colony and makes all future immigration of Indians to the Cape subject to an education and literacy test.
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| 1902 |
31 May |
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| 1903 |
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The Peace Preservation Ordinance and Ordinance No 5 of 1903 is promulgated in the Transvaal to regulate the re-entry of Indians who had left the Transvaal for Natal, the Cape Colony and India when war broke out. It segregates Asiatics into locations, refuses trading licenses except in Asiatic bazaars and pre-war licenses of Asiatics become non-transferable.
Lord Milner's Government seeks to restrict Indian immigration into the Transvaal. Although all entrants to the Transvaal are in terms of the Peace Preservation Ordinance to be issued with permits on request, Indians, as a rule, are refused permits and thereby prevented to return from returning to their houses and businesses. Milner also establishes the Asiatic Affairs Department to enforce the provisions of Law 3 of 1885. In addition, the Department is charged with compiling a dossier of all anti-Indian measures that prevailed in the Boer Republics and these measures are subsequently applied with a vengeance.
The Immorality Ordinance, Act No. 46 of 1903 is passed in the Transvaal. |
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| 1903 |
February |
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The ‘British Indians of East London' petitions the Indian National Congress, Bombay, against East London's municipal regulations, which interfere with their freedom of movement. The petitioners protest at having to carry a pass, at being debarred from residing in certain parts of East London and at being forbidden to use the town's footpaths. |
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| 1903 |
4 June |
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The first issue of Indian Opinion, the newspaper started by Mahatma Gandhi and M.H. Nazar, is published in Durban.
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| 1904 |
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The voter's roll of East London in the Cape Colony, for 1903-04 lists 259 Indians as voters (nine of which are women), compared with 3 242 White voters.
|
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| 1905 |
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The Immigration Restriction Act of 1905 is passed in the Transvaal. The Act provides for the Government's control of the entry of Indians into the Transvaal through a special permit system.
|
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| 1906 |
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Ordinance 29 of 1906 is proclaimed in the Transvaal and subjects all Indians to compulsory registration and identification by means of fingerprints. Registration Certificates (Passes) are to be carried at all times and must be produced on request to a police officer under penalty of a fine or imprisonment.
The Hawker's Licences Act, Act No. 35 of 1906, is passed in the Cape Colony. Similar to the Dealers Licenses Act, No 18 of 1897 in Natal, municipal licensing officers are empowered to issue or refuse trading licenses to Indians.
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| 1906 |
1 January |
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A poll tax of £3 on Indians 18 years and over is enforced in Natal. |
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| 1906 |
February - June |
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The Bambatha rebellion erupts in Natal in protest against the so-called “hut tax” levied by the Natal Government. The Natal Indian Congress (NIC), under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, decides on 24 April 1906 to establish an ambulance corps to assist the British in the campaign to put down the rebellion.
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| 1906 |
11 September |
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A mass meeting of Indians is held at the Empire Theatre, Johannesburg, to decide on action against the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, No 29 of 1906. Two of the resolutions adopted at the meeting respectively calls for a deputation to be sent to England and for non-violent or passive resistance (Satyagraha) |
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| 1906 |
21 September |
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The Transvaal British Indian Association decides to send Mahatma Gandhi and O.H. Ally to London to lobby the British Government to refuse assent to the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, No 29 of 1906.
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| 1906 |
28 November |
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Mahatma Gandhi and O.H. Ally meets with Winston Churchill in London to protest the Transvaal Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, No 29 of 1906. |
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| 1906 |
3 December |
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Winston Churchill informs the British House of Commons that the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord Elgin, has declined to approve the Transvaal Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, No 29 of 1906. |
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| 1906 |
6 December |
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Transvaal receives responsible self-government from Britain.
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| 1907 |
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The South African Indian Committee, comprising of the Natal Indian Patriotic Union and the Natal Indian Congress, is established. At this time, both organisations are critical of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mr Adam H.C. Mohamed, chairman of the British Indian League, raises the question of the treatment of British Indians in East London, particularly regarding the issue of trader's licences and the registration of voters, with the Cape Colonial Government. He is told that the Government is unable to interfere in the regulations drafted by the East London municipality, but that he is free to address the Colonial Secretary about parliamentary voters and their registration.
Arms and Ammunition Act, Act No 10 of 1907 (Transvaal), prohibits the issue of arms and ammunitions licences to Indians without sanction of the applicable Minister.
The Education Act, Act No 25 of 1907 (Transvaal) prohibits Coloured children from being allowed into European schools and establishes separate schools. Although education is free and compulsory for white children, it is not for coloured children. (Coloured means all people of colour, Africans, Indians and Coloureds).
The Vredendorp Stand Ordinance, Act No 27 of 1907 (Transvaal), transfers the freehold titles of certain stands to the Johannesburg Municipal Council on condition that such titles are not be transferred to an Asiatic, native or Coloured person.
The Workmen's Compensation Act, Act No 36 of 1907 (Transvaal) denies benefits to Asiatic, African and Coloured people). A workman is defined as a White person.
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| 1907 |
7 February |
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Winston Churchill informs the British House of Commons that the Natal Government has been refused leave to introduce legislation that will exclude Asiatics from obtaining trading licences.
|
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| 1907 |
2 March |
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The Transvaal British Indian Association protests to the Registrar of Asiatics against the discriminatory taking of fingerprints by the police. |
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| 1907 |
11 March |
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Indians hold a mass meeting at the Gaiety Theatre, protesting against the discriminatory treatment of Indians. |
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| 1907 |
19 March |
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The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, re-introduces the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, No 29 of 1906, which failed to gain assent in December 1906, as the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Bill.
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1907 |
22 March |
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The Transvaal Asiatic Registration Bill is passed by the Transvaal Parliament. All male Asians are to be registered and finger printed and are required to carry registration certificates (passes) at all times, which have to be shown to the police on demand. |
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| 1907 |
29 March |
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Indians hold a mass protest meeting at the Gaiety Hall in Johannesburg against the Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907 (the “Black Act”) and offer to register voluntarily if the Act is withdrawn.
|
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1907 |
4 April |
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Mahatma Gandhi leads a deputation to the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts and presents him with the resolutions adopted at the Indian mass meeting held on 29 March 1907 in Johannesburg. |
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| 1907 |
7 June |
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The Transvaal British Indian Association decides to send a deputation to the Transvaal Prime Minister, General Louis Botha, to urge acceptance of a compromise proposal concerning the Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, but Botha declines to meet the deputy. |
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| 1907 |
1 July |
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The Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, comes into operation. The first permit office is opened in the Transvaal and Indians are notified that they have to register within three months.
|
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| 1907 |
3 July |
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The Transvaal Immigration Restriction Bill is published. The Bill makes provision for education tests to be imposed on all future immigrants to the Transvaal and establishes the Immigration Department to check against illegal Asiatic entries.
|
|
| 1907 |
9 July |
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The Transvaal British Indian Association petitions the Transvaal Parliament on the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Bill.
|
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| 1907 |
24 July |
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Mahatma Gandhi calls at Ali Khamisa's shop in Pretoria where applications for registration certificates are being received secretly. Those who give their fingerprints as part of the registration application, are referred to as “playing on the piano”.
|
|
1907 |
28 July |
|
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An Indian mass meeting held at the Hamidia Islamic Society Hall in Johannesburg protests against the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Bill and declares a day of hartal in the Transvaal. |
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| 1907 |
31 July |
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An open air Indian mass protest meeting is held in Pretoria against the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. The meeting decides on passive resistance (Satyagraha) against the Act – to go to prison rather than to register, and, later, to hawk without licences.
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| 1907 |
8 August |
|
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Mahatma Gandhi sends a letter to the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, and suggests amendment to the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907.
|
|
1907 |
21 September |
|
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A petition against the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Bill is addressed to the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, and circulated for signatures. |
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| 1907 |
11 November |
|
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Ramsundar Pandit of Germiston becomes the first passive resister to be arrested for failing to register in terms of the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. Mahatma Gandhi defends Pandit in court free of charge.
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| 1907 |
14 November |
|
|
Ramsundar Pandit is sentenced to one month's imprisonment for failing to register in terms of the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. Indians declare hartal in Johannesburg. |
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| 1907 |
30 November |
|
|
Only 511 Indians out of the total Indian population of over 13 000 register by the closing date of registration in terms of the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907.
|
|
1908 |
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|
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Increasing competition between Indian and White merchants for the control of the Kimberley fresh produce market culminates in the submission of a series of petitions to the municipal authorities. A large group of White stallholders complain “the tables in the Market House are crowded to such an extent by Indians and others of the same class, that it is almost impossible for Europeans to approach them with any degree of comfort”. In return, Indian stallholders submitted various petitions about the management of the market and the way in which lots were offered for sale. They also maintained that the complaints of the White stallholders could “only be regarded as an ungenerous thrust at the Indians who are the lagest purveyors and purchasers at the morning market…” (Bhana and Brain 1990: 107). |
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| 1908 |
|
|
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The Immorality Amendment Ordinance, Act No. 16 of 1908 (Transvaal) outlaws sexual relations between Whites and Coloured persons.
The Townships Amendment Act, Act No. 34 of 1908 (Transvaal) proclaims that Coloured persons are to live in townships only as domestic servants, and not as independent merchants of free citizens.
The Precious Base Metals Act (Gold Law) of 1908 (Transvaal) restricts the occupation by Coloured persons of land proclaimed as a public digging. Coloured persons are further debarred from acquiring mining titles and privileges and from trading in such areas. Obstacles are also placed in the way of Coloured goldsmiths.
The Public Service and Pensions Act, No 19 of 1908 (Transvaal) is passed in the Transvaal. The Immorality Amendment Ordinance, Act No. 16 of 1908 (Transvaal) outlaws sexual relations between Whites and Coloured persons.
The Townships Amendment Act, Act No. 34 of 1908 (Transvaal) proclaims that Coloured persons are to live in townships only as domestic servants, and not as independent merchants of free citizens.
The Precious Base Metals Act (Gold Law) of 1908 (Transvaal) restricts the occupation by Coloured persons of land proclaimed as a public digging. Coloured persons are further debarred from acquiring mining titles and privileges and from trading in such areas. Obstacles are also placed in the way of Coloured goldsmiths.
The Public Service and Pensions Act, No 19 of 1908 (Transvaal) is passed in the Transvaal. The Immorality Amendment Ordinance, Act No. 16 of 1908 (Transvaal) outlaws sexual relations between Whites and Coloured persons.
The Townships Amendment Act, Act No. 34 of 1908 (Transvaal) proclaims that Coloured persons are to live in townships only as domestic servants, and not as independent merchants of free citizens.
The Precious Base Metals Act (Gold Law) of 1908 (Transvaal) restricts the occupation by Coloured persons of land proclaimed as a public digging. Coloured persons are further debarred from acquiring mining titles and privileges and from trading in such areas. Obstacles are also placed in the way of Coloured goldsmiths.
The Public Service and Pensions Act, No 19 of 1908 (Transvaal) is passed in the Transvaal. The Immorality Amendment Ordinance, Act No. 16 of 1908 (Transvaal) outlaws sexual relations between Whites and Coloured persons.
The Townships Amendment Act, Act No. 34 of 1908 (Transvaal) proclaims that Coloured persons are to live in townships only as domestic servants, and not as independent merchants of free citizens.
The Precious Base Metals Act (Gold Law) of 1908 (Transvaal) restricts the occupation by Coloured persons of land proclaimed as a public digging. Coloured persons are further debarred from acquiring mining titles and privileges and from trading in such areas. Obstacles are also placed in the way of Coloured goldsmiths.
The Public Service and Pensions Act, No 19 of 1908 (Transvaal) is passed in the Transvaal. |
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| 1908 |
1 January |
|
|
The Transvaal Immigration Restriction Act, Act No. 15 of 1907, enters into force. A mass meeting is held at Surti Mosque in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. |
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| 1908 |
4 January |
|
|
The Transvaal British Indian Association informs the Transvaal Government that, if Indians are not issued trading licences because they have not registered in terms of the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, they will trade without licences. The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, declares that the Asiatic Registration Act will not be repealed and refuses to meet with Mahatma Gandhi.
|
|
| 1908 |
8 January |
|
|
Mahatma Gandhi tells Reuters that if the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907 is suspended, Indians will register voluntarily.
|
|
| 1908 |
10 January |
|
|
Mahatma Gandhi is sentenced to two months' imprisonment for violating a court order to leave the Transvaal after being charged with picketing.
|
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| 1908 |
21 January |
|
|
The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, sends Albert Cartwright, the editor of the Transvaal Leader, to meet Mahatma Gandhi in prison and present him with a settlement proposal with regards to the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907.
|
|
| 1908 |
28 January |
|
|
Albert Cartwright brings the compromise terms with regards to the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, from the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, to Mahatma Gandhi in prison. Gandhi discusses the terms of the settlement with fellow prisoners Leung Quinn (from the Chinese Association) and Thambi Naidoo (from the Transvaal British Indian Association). They make some amendments and then sign the proposal. |
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| 1908 |
30 January |
|
|
The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, accepts the compromise with regards to the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. Mahatma Gandhi is escorted from prison to Pretoria for a meeting with Smuts. They agree that Indians will register voluntarily, that negotiations will be validated and that the Asiatic Registration Act will be repealed. Gandhi is released and taken to Johannesburg, where he addresses a midnight meeting at the Hamidia Mosque to explain the terms of the settlement.
|
|
| 1908 |
3 February |
|
|
Mahatma Gandhi meets the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, who confirms that the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907 will be repealed if Asiatics register voluntarily.
|
|
| 1908 |
5 February |
|
|
The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, announces that the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907 will not be repealed as long as a single Indian has not complied with requirements. Mahatma Gandhi urges all Indians to register.
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| 1908 |
10 February |
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Voluntary registration by Asiatics commences as agreed under the Gandhi-Smuts agreement. Mahatma Gandhi is assaulted by Mir Alam Khan.
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| 1908 |
9 May |
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By the last day of voluntary registration of Asiatics, as agreed under the Gandhi-Smuts agreement, 8700 Indians have registered and 6000 were accepted by the Transvaal Government.
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| 1908 |
13 May |
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The Transvaal Municipal Consolidation Bill empowers municipalities to grant licences to traders and hawkers and denies them the right of appeal to courts of law.
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| 1908 |
27 June |
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A well-educated Parsee, Sorabji Shapurji Adajania tests the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Act, Act No. 15 of 1907, by entering the Transvaal from Natal without a permit.
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| 1908 |
31 June |
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The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, states that the repeal of the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907 is preposterous and Mahatma Gandhi accuses the Transvaal Government of “foul play”.
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| 1908 |
2 July |
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Mahatma Gandhi warns the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, that the voluntary registration certificates (passes), which Indians had applied for under the Smuts-Gandhi agreement, will be burnt.
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| 1908 |
7 July |
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Indian traders applying for trading licences are subjected to giving thumbprints under the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907.
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| 1908 |
8 July |
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Sorabji Shapuri Adajania is imprisoned after he contravened the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Act, Act No. 15 of 1907. He is not prosecuted under the Immigration Restriction Act, however, but sentenced to one month's imprisonment under the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. Following the Adajania case, more Indians from Natal enter the Transvaal illegally. They are arrested and ordered to leave the Transvaal within 7 days. However, they do not leave, and are re-arrested and deported without trial. After deportation, they again re-enter the Transvaal, whereupon they are fined £50 or 3 months imprisonment with hard labour. All choose to go to prison.
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| 1908 |
20 July |
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A mass campaign of satyagraha begins in protest of the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, the Transvaal Immigration Restriction Act, Act No. 15 of 1907, and the Transvaal Municipal Consolidation Bill. Satyagrahis are imprisoned for unlicensed trading.
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| 1908 |
1 August |
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The Chinese Association joins the satyagraha campaign against anti-Asiatic legislation in the Transvaal.
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| 1908 |
14 August |
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Mahatma Gandhi makes a further appeal to the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, to repeal the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, failing which he warns that voluntary registration certificates (passes) will be burnt. Smuts refuses. |
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| 1908 |
16 August |
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More than 2000 registration certificates (passes) are burned during an Indian mass meeting at the Hamidia Mosque in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, in reaction to the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts' alleged breach of the Gandhi-Smuts agreement and continued refusal to repeal the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. The Committee of European (White) Sympathisers is formed with William Hosken as Chairperson. |
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| 1908 |
18 August |
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Mahatma Gandhi meets with the Transvaal Prime Minister, General Louis Botha, the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, and members of the Progressive Party to discuss the Indian question.
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| 1908 |
20 August |
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Indians reject the Transvaal Government's proposed amendments to the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907, at a mass meeting. Mahatma Gandhi sends an ultimatum demanding the Repeal of the Act to the Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts.
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| 1908 |
21 August |
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The Transvaal Colonial Secretary, General J.C. Smuts, introduces an amendment bill to the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, Act No. 2 of 1907. The bill is passed as the Asiatic Registration Amendment Act, No 36 of 1908. Indians reject the Act and vow to continue with the satyagraha campaign. More registration certificates (passes) are burned at mass meetings during the next few days.
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1908 |
27 August |
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Natal Indian Congress officials are arrested at a meeting in the Anjuman Islamic Hall in Pretoria and deported from the Transvaal. |
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| 1908 |
12 October |
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The National Convention, consisting of delegates from the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and Orange River Colonies, begins its deliberations in Durban on the incorporation of the four self-governing colonies into a Union of South Africa. Subsequent sessions of the National Convention take place in Cape Town between November 1908 and February 1909.
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| 1909 |
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