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Latest Publication
Cornelius C Thomas - Cocktails of Liberty
Contours of the 1976 Western Cape student uprising order nowHistory in the Headlines
50 years since the Sharpeville Shootings
This month 50 years ago the Sharpeville Shootings took place. On 21 March 1960 PAC supporters held an anti-pass protest, protesters voluntarily left their passes at home and offered themselves up for arrest at the nearest police station. Protests took place in Sharpeville and in the Western Cape in townships such as Langa.
Despite the non-violent nature of the campaign, protestors were met with violent opposition from armed policemen, who were jittery after a recent event in Durban where 9 policemen were shot. The police therefore panicked at the sight of thousands of protesters at Sharpeville and shot into the crowd. This violent outburst killed 69 people, and injured 180 people. In Langa, 2 people were shot dead.
The Sharpeville Shooting is remembered annually as Human Rights Day. ... visit Sharpeville feature.
18 March 1977
Marien Ngouabi, President of Congo-Brazzaville, assassinated
Complete list of events during this week ...read more
Call for submissions
SA History Online (SAHO) is launching its Bonani Africa Documentary Photography Festival this year, with a call to photographers to submit photographic essays that celebrate and critically reflect on the South Africa of today ...read more
Meer, who would have turned 82 in August, died in St Augustine's Hospital in Durban on Friday, 13 March 2010 after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. Meer's brother, Dr Farouk Meer, said she suffered her first stroke eight years ago, leaving her partially paralysed.
She was one of South Africa’s most distinguished 20th Century leaders.... read more
New biographies:
Cedric Nunn: Self taught photographer, filmmaker.
Vuyi Lesley Mbalo: Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) member and documentary photographer.
Myron Peters: Politician, anti-apartheid activist and photographer
Biddy Partridge: Photojournalist and documentary photographer.
