|
23 January |
|
|
Call for a United Democratic Front made, a Commission appointed and a steering Committee set up. Coloured Labour Party votes to support the proposed constitution. |
|
1983 |
May |
|
|
The Transvaal and Natal regions of the UDF are launched. ANC car bomb explodes outside military headquarters in Pretoria.
The government responds with an air attack on Mozambique, killing ANC members and injuring several Mozambican nationals. |
|
1983 |
June |
|
|
National Forum, organized by mainly Black Consciousness leaders, attended by representatives from over 200 anti-apartheid organizations. |
|
1983 |
July |
|
|
Western Cape region of the UDF is launched, whilst in the Eastern Cape and Border region Committees are set up. |
|
1983 |
20 August |
|
|
The United Democratic Front is formally launched at a meeting in Mitchell's Plein, near Cape Town. The meeting, attended by delegates from over 320 community groups, trade unions, women's groups and students organizations, committed itself to oppose the government's constitutional proposals and pledged itself to a single, non-racial and democratic South Africa. |
|
1983 |
24 August |
|
|
Date of referendum is announced. Referendum to be held on 2 November 1983, where White South Africans will decide whether or not they are in favour of the new constitution. |
|
1983 |
September - October |
|
|
Calls
to White electorate to reject the new dispensation
are voiced by a variety of groups, including
the South African Catholic Bishops Conference,
the South African Council of Churches as well
as the leaders of six Black ‘Homelands' |
|
1983 |
22 September |
|
|
The South African Constitution Bill is enacted. |
|
1983 |
2 November |
|
|
The White referendum is held on the constitutional proposals. Almost 66% of the White population voted in favour of the constitutional changes, with a 76% turnout at the polls. A boycott of Black Local Authorities (BLAs). |
|
1983 |
15 November |
|
|
The United Nations General Assembly adopts a resolution declaring that the constitutional proposals are contrary to the principles of the UN Charter and further entrench apartheid. And further, that the results of the referendum held in November would be of no consequence as they would be endorsed by a White minority electorate. |
|
1983 |
3 December |
|
|
Elections for the country's twenty-nine new Black local authorities, over the previous ten days are met with demonstrations and calls for a boycott. Elections in Soweto yielded only an 11% voter turnout. The UDF Eastern Cape region is launched. |
|
1983 |
5 December |
|
|
The UN General Assembly adopts eleven resolutions on the situation in South Africa: the programme of action against apartheid, the effects of apartheid on Southern Africa, sanctions against South Africa, the work of the Special Committee against apartheid, relations with Israel, military and nuclear collaboration, investments, oil embargo, and apartheid in sport. |
|
1983 |
16 December - 17 December |
|
|
The UDF holds its First National Conference in Port Elizabeth. |
|
1984 |
8 January |
|
|
The UDF Border region launched. |
|
1984 |
22 January |
|
|
The UDF launches the Million Signatures Campaign and by October collect just under 400 000 signature. The organization blames police harassment for the shortfall. |
|
1984 |
14 February |
|
|
Elections for the Coloured and Indian Tricameral Parliament under the new Constitution, are announced by the government. They are to be held on the 22 August 1984, with nomination day down for the 16 July 1984. |
|
1984 |
15 February |
|
|
The judicial Commission of Enquiry into the activities of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) accuses it of pursuing strategies of resistance to government policies and of identifying with the liberation struggle. However, it stops short of recommending a total ban on foreign funding, as requested by the Commissioner of Police. |
|
1984 |
10 March - 11 March |
|
|
The ANC mounts a sabotage attack in which five storage tanks are damaged. |
|
1984 |
16 March |
|
|
Nkomati
Accord, a “non-aggression“ pact signed between
the National Party government of South Africa
and Mozambique. |
|
1984 |
26 March |
|
|
The
Mozabique – South Africa Joint Security Commission
meets for the first time in Maputo, as further
raids are carried out against ANC houses and
offices by the Mozambican authorities. |
|
1984 |
April |
|
|
The Carnegie report on poverty in South Africa reveals that the number of Black people living below the poverty line had doubled.
West Coast region of the UDF is launched. |
|
1984 |
11 May |
|
|
South Africa's longest serving White political prisoner, David Kitson, is released, seven months short of completing his 20 year sentence for sabotage and unsurprisingly, barely 3 weeks before the SA Prime Minister is due to meet Margaret Thatcher in London. |
|
1984 |
16 May |
|
|
SA government concedes that almost two million Black people have been relocated since 1960, and maintains that only 456 860 were moved for ideological reasons. Forced removals are for the first time, admitted to, by Minister for Cooperation and Development, Piet Koornhof. |
|
1984 |
26 June |
|
|
The 19th quintennial congress of the Universal Postal Union in Hamburg, expels South Africa on account of its apartheid policy. |
|
1984 |
13 July |
|
|
The last all-White parliament ends its last session in Cape Town. |
|
1984 |
30 July |
|
|
Anti-tricameral parliament campaign starts.
Southern Cape region of the UDF is launched. |
|
1984 |
21 August |
|
|
UDF leaders arrested. |
|
1984 |
22 August |
|
|
Elections for the Coloured community show overwhelming support for the Labour Party. A 30.9% voter turnout is recorded.
Protests and boycotts are followed by 152 arrests |
|
1984 |
28 August |
|
|
Elections to the House of Delegates are marked by low voter turnout, protests, boycotts and active opposition by the UDF.
The National People's Party, under Amichand Rajbansi win the elections. |
|
1984 |
30 August |
|
|
Election results for the Coloured and Indian communities are validated by PW Botha, who declares that the government did not see the low turnout at the polls as invalidating the revised constitution. |
|
1984 |
3 September |
|
|
New Constitution comes into effect. The most widespread and prolonged Black uprising since 1976 erupts in the Vaal Triangle. |
|
1984 |
11 September |
|
|
In response to the unrest and rioting in the township, the Minister of Law and Order prohibits all meetings of more than two persons, discussing politics or which is in protest against or in support or in memorium of anything, until 30 September 1984. The ban extends to certain areas in all four provinces but is most comprehensive in the Traansvaal. |
|
1984 |
13 September |
|
|
Six political refugees, including the President of the United Democratic Front seek refuge in the British Consulate in Durban, and request the British government to intervene on their behalf. |
|
1984 |
14 September |
|
|
The inauguration of the new President, PW Botha, takes place. Under the revised Constitution, the post of president combines the ceremonial duties of Head of State, with the executive functions of Prime Minister. Botha is also Chairman of the Cabinet, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and also controls the National Intelligence Service that includes the secretariat of the State Security Council.
The British Prime Minister, gives assurances to the six refugees that they will not be required to leave the consulate against their will, but also states that Britain will not become involved in negotiations between the fugitives and the South African government. |
|
1984 |
15 September |
|
|
Members of a new Cabinet responsible for general affairs of government are appointed. Rev Allan Hendrikse of the Labour Party and Amichand Rajbansi are appointed to the Cabinet as Chairmen of the Minsiters' Councils, but neither is given a ministerial portfolio. |
|
1984 |
24 September |
|
|
Minister of Foreign Affairs Pik Botha announces that in retaliation for the British government's refusal to give up the six men, the government will not hand over four South Africans due to face charges of having contravened British customs and excise regulation and believed to be employed by ARMSCOR. |
|
1984 |
26 September |
|
|
Banning order on Dr Beyers Naude is lifted.
On the same day schools re-open, but some 93 000 students continue to boycott classes. |
|
1984 |
2 October |
|
|
Increase in rioting and clashes with police, results in the death toll rising to over sixty. |
|
1984 |
6 October |
|
|
The South African Defence Force is deployed into SOWETO to play a role supportive of the police in maintaining an effective protective force against radical elements.
On the same day three of the six protestors leave the British Consulate in protest against South Africa's action in linking their sit-in with the Coventry arms case. They are immediately arrested and detained by security police. |
|
1984 |
9 October |
|
|
The remaining three protestors at the Consulate, declare that they will not leave the building voluntarily, the British government would have to evict them. |
|
1984 |
16 October |
|
|
Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for non-violent opposition to apartheid. |
|
1984 |
17 October |
|
|
The United Nations Security Council, with the USA abstaining, passes a resolution reiterating its condemnation of the South African regime's policy of apartheid and condemning its continued defiance of United Nations resolutions, the continued massacres of the oppressed people and the arbitrary detention and arrest of their leaders. |
|
1984 |
18 October |
|
|
The Minister of Law and Order rejects conditions set by the remaining three activists at the British Consulate, for their voluntary exit. They ask the government to waive detention-without-trial orders or to provide them with passports to enable them to plead their case before the United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee. |
|
1984 |
23 October |
|
|
Seven thousand soldiers enter the Township of Sebokeng to join police in house to house raids. Police seal off the townships of Sharpeville, Boipatong and Sebokeng, and carry out house-to-house searches, arresting 358 people, some of whom are immediately charged in special courts. Its stated purpose is to eliminate criminal and intimidatory forces from the townships. |
|
1984 |
24 October |
|
|
The UN Security Council endorses a lengthy resolution condemning the South African government and demanding the immediate cessation of massacres and the prompt and unconditional release of all political prisoners and detainees. |
|
1984 |
5 November |
|
|
The Transvaal stayaway, which is the largest yet, is organized by the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and the Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU), and signals a student-worker opposition alliance. |
|
1984 |
9 November |
|
|
Following pressure from township residents a number of resignations among Black municipal councillors take place. |
|
1984 |
14 November |
|
|
In an attempt to stem the burgeoning unrest, the authorities arrest leading trade union activists belonging to organizations affiliated to the UDF. |
|
1984 |
21 November |
|
|
Demonstrations begin outside the South African embassy in Washington and continue on an almost daily basis, as anti-apartheid activists demand a stronger anti-South Africa policy from the United States government. |
|
1984 |
4 December |
|
|
Bishop Desmond Tutu addresses a United States House of Representatives sub-committee and describes the policy of constructive engagement as immoral, evil and hostile to the condition of Black South Africans. |
|
1984 |
12 December |
|
|
The three anti-apartheid activists leave the British Consulate, and two, including Archie Gumede are immediately arrested and charged with treason. |
|
1985 |
January |
|
|
International Year of the Youth. Supported by COSAS, AZASO, Youth Commission and various other UDF affiliated organsations. |
|
1985 |
5 January |
|
|
At
the opening of Parliament, PW Botha announces
that the government intended giving more political
rights to Black people living outside of their
designated ‘homelands' and an informal forum
where Black leaders can discuss changes. Giving
Black people property rights in urban areas was
also announced. |
|
1985 |
30 January |
|
|
The South African Medical and Postal Council is ordered to hold an inquiry into the conduct of doctors who treated Black Consciousness leader, Steve Biko who died while being detained by the security police in 1977. |
|
1985 |
31 January |
|
|
PW Botha offers a release proposal to jailed ANC leader Nelson Mandela.
Minister of Cooperation and Development announces to the Foreign Correspondents Association, that the forced removal of black people will be suspended and government is to review this policy. |
|
1985 |
5 February |
|
|
South Africa accuses Botswana of harbouring ANC guerrillas. |
|
1985 |
10 February |
|
|
Nelson Mandela turns down the offer of release in a speech read by his daughter Zindzi Mandela the Jabulani stadium in Soweto.
UDF offices are raided countrywide and over one hundred arrested and its leaders charged together with the previous sixteen Pietermaritzburg treason trialists. |
|
1985 |
21 February |
|
|
Government announces 99-year leasehold rights for Black people in three Cape Town townships in an attempt to stop the riots over its policy of forced removals in this region. |
|
1985 |
21 March |
|
|
17 People are killed in Langa, a township just outside Port Elizabeth, during a commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. A Commission of inquiry into the massacre, is appointed by government. |
|
1985 |
April |
|
|
At
it's third congress, the UDF agrees to establish
links with trade unions and to increase its presence
in rural areas. Popo Molefe, Patrick ‘Terror'
Lekota and Moses Chikane key leaders of the UDF
are arrested and charged under the prevailing
security laws along with twenty others in the
Delmas treason trial. |
|
1985 |
19 April |
|
|
PW
Botha outlines the proposal to improve the lot
of Black people. Amongst these are property rights
and political representation for urban Blacks
as well as future dual citizenship rights to ‘homeland'
Blacks. |
|
1985 |
30 April |
|
|
The Rand Daily Mail, a leading anti-apartheid newspaper ceases publication. |
|
1985 |
May |
|
|
Sipho Mutsi of the Congress of South African Students dies whilst in police custody. Andries Raditsela, an executive member of the Federation of South African Trade Unions dies hours after charges under the Internal Security Act are withdrawn against him. |
|
1985 |
9 May |
|
|
Regional Services Councils are introduced in an attempt to give Blacks a say in the second tier of government. A decision is taken that Black people in 52 townships are not to be forcibly removed. |
|
1985 |
June |
|
|
Three members of the Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organization (Pebco), a UDF affiliate go missing.
30th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter.
The Kannemeyer Commission of Inquiry into the Langa shootings, finds that the police were to blame for the events leading to the shootings. |
|
1985 |
25 June |
|
|
At it conference in Lusaka, Zambia, the ANC opens its national executive committee to all race groups by appointing five Indian, White and Coloured people to the committee. |
|
1985 |
July |
|
|
Klaas De Jong, a Danish citizen is detained under the Internal Security Act for distributing arms and ammunition to the ANC. He seeks refuge in the Dutch embassy in Pretoria.
The ‘Cradock Four', Mathew Goniwe, Fort Calata,
Sicelo Mhlawuli and Sparrow Mkhonto are found
murdered. 136 known UDF officials are detained. |
|
1985 |
5 July |
|
|
Two White medical doctors are found guilty of misconduct by the Medical Council in the 1977 death of Steve Biko. |
|
1985 |
20 July |
|
|
The state of emergency is imposed on certain parts of the country following nearly five hundred deaths in township violence since September 1984.
The funeral of the Craddock Four takes place. |
|
1985 |
August |
|
|
A march to Pollsmoor prison, where a message of solidarity was to be delivered to Mandela, is prevented by the government. The message was eventually read out by Dorothy Boesak, wife of Allan Boesak, who had been detained to prevent him from leading the march.
Victoria Mxenge, member of the UDF and lawyer for the Pietermaritzburg Treason Trialists is murdered.
Inkatha attacks are intensified against ANC / UDF supporters in Natal. |
|
1985 |
15 August |
|
|
PW
Botha, in the ‘Rubicon' speech, takes a hard
line and rejects foreign and domestic calls for
fundamental change. |
|
1985 |
16 August |
|
|
In response to the hard line speech, Oliver Tambo, president of the ANC in Lusaka, reaffirms, that the armed struggle will be intensified and that Whites will lose their lives and property. |
|
1985 |
28 August |
|
|
Congress of South African Students (COSAS)is banned. |
|
1985 |
4 September |
|
|
Foreign banks suspend credit following Chase Manhattan's July 31 refusal to roll over loans, this action sets off financial crisis. |
|
1985 |
9 September |
|
|
President Reagan imposes limited sanctions on SA to preempt stronger measures by Congress. |
|
1985 |
13 September |
|
|
White South African businessmen and newspaper editors hold talks with leaders of the ANC in Zambia. |
|
1985 |
21 September |
|
|
A Convention Alliance is launched to promote the idea of a national convention to formulate a democratic and multi- racial constitution. |
|
1985 |
27 September |
|
|
In anticipation of a national day of prayer on October 9, the government outlaws gatherings and meetings. |
|
1985 |
October |
|
|
“Forward to the People's Campaign” is
launched. |
|
1985 |
25 October |
|
|
The State of Emergency is extended to include Cape Town and seven surrounding areas. |
|
1985 |
1 November |
|
|
Government bans television coverage of unrest in townships in the 38 magisterial districts where the State of Emergency is in force, except with permission from the Commissioner of Police. Curbs on the print media are also imposed. |
|
1985 |
30 November |
|
|
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is formed creating the largest, mainly African labor federation. |
|
1985 |
9 December |
|
|
Twelve of the sixteen UDF members charged with treason have the charges withdrawn. |
|
1985 |
28 December |
|
|
The National Education Crisis Committee (NECC) formed. |
|
1985 |
30 December |
|
|
Winnie Mandela is arrested for having contravened a banning order that prohibited her from being in the magisterial district of Johannesburg and Roodepoort. |
|
1986 |
January |
|
|
Murphy Morobe is detained and released three months later. |
|
1986 |
7 January |
|
|
The ANC in exile in Lusaka calls on its supporters to take the struggle into the White areas. |
|
1986 |
20 January |
|
|
Twenty-two Black South Africans appear in the Delmas court for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government. |
|
1986 |
February |
|
|
PW Botha reprimands Foreign Minister, Pik Botha for suggesting that a Black could become president of South Africa.
The UDF Northern Transvaal region launched.
‘6 day war in Alexandra' township in Johannesburg. |
|
1986 |
7 March |
|
|
The state of Emergency is lifted.
The South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the ANC issue a joint statement in Lusaka, reiterating their commitment to overthrow White supremacy in South Africa. |
|
1986 |
8 March |
|
|
Moses Mabhida, General Secretary of the South African Communist Party dies in Maputo. |
|
1986 |
12 March |
|
|
The Eminent Persons Group meet imprisoned ANC leader Nelson Mandela. |
|
1986 |
30 March |
|
|
The National Education Crisis Committee holds its second national conference in Durban. |
|
1986 |
11 April |
|
|
Peter Nchabeleng is killed. |
|
1986 |
1 May |
|
|
More than 1.5 million Black people stage the largest stayaway in South Africa's history. Buthulezi launches the United Workers Union of South Africa.
‘Call to Whites campaign' is launched.Campaign against the public safety bill
gets under way.
Escalation in UDF/ AZAPO conflict in the Transvaal townships. |
|
1986 |
24 May |
|
|
The National Working Committee held in Johannesburg. |
|
1986 |
June |
|
|
Soweto rent boycotts begin.
‘Unban the ANC campaign' gathers momentum. |
|
1986 |
12 June |
|
|
National State of Emergency is declared and hundreds of anti-apartheid activist are arrested. |
|
1986 |
23 June |
|
|
The state drops its case against the remaining four charged with treason in the Pietermaritzburg Supreme Court. |
|
1986 |
24 June |
|
|
In Britain the Foreign Office Minister, Lynda Chalker meets Oliver Tambo, ANC President. |
|
1986 |
1 July |
|
|
The country's pass laws are repealed but the indirect controls on movement remain. Pass laws are replaced by a uniform identity document for all race groups. |
|
1986 |
7 July |
|
|
Winnie Mandela is freed from government restriction after 24 years. |
|
1986 |
9 September |
|
|
Three ANC members are executed amongst whom is Andrew Zondo who bombed a shopping center in Amanzimtoti in 1985. |
|
1986 |
16 September |
|
|
The European Economic Community (EEC) imposes sanctions against SA, with coal being the exception. |
|
1986 |
30 September |
|
|
PW Botha retires as leader of the Cape Division of the National party. |
|
1986 |
October |
|
|
Campaign for National United Action (Cosatu, UDF, NECC, SACC). |
|
1986 |
2 October |
|
|
The US Congress overrides presidential veto and passes Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act. |
|
1986 |
8 October |
|
|
UDF declared an affected organization. |
|
1986 |
27 November |
|
|
Three of the twenty-two Delmas trialists are freed. |
|
1986 |
11 December |
|
|
Almost total censorship imposed on media reports of political unrest. |
|
1986 |
16 December - 26 December |
|
|
“Christmas against the Emergency” campaign
by the UDF and its affiliates. |
|
1987 |
8 January |
|
|
“Unban the ANC “adverts
appear in all major newspapers.
At the ANC's 75th Anniversary its President,
Oliver Tambo, rules out negotiations with the
South African government and declares 1987
as ‘the year of the advance to people's power'. |
|
1987 |
9 January |
|
|
Security police raid English-language newspapers seizing documents related to an advertisement calling for the legalizing of the ANC.
A bomb explodes in a major departmental store in the centre of Johann |
