The 1940s were characterised by changes that had a profound effect on the political landscape in South Africa. There was closer cooperation between the CPSA and the ANC, in contrast to the antagonistic relationship between the two organisation during the 1920s and 1930s. In addition, political organisations such as the Non-European United Front (NEUF) and APO attempted to work together. The ANC Women’s League was established in 1943, and the ANC Youth League was formed in 1944.There was a marked growth in militant campaigns against the government, as evidenced by a series of passive resistance campaigns such as the Alexandra bus boycotts and the miners’ strike in 1946. Conversely, there was an increase in the harassment of political activists, as seen in the Sedition Trial of 1946 that lasted two years. In the 1948 elections, the National Party seized power and began to set in motion plans to implement apartheid.
1940
Electoral Laws Amendment Act of 1940 is passed. The act provides for the compulsory registration of White voters only. Attempts by the National Liberation League (NLL) and the African Peoples Organisation (APO) to protest against this Act do not succeed.
1940
1940
Cissie Gool becomes the president of the Non-European United Front (NEUF).
1940
The Transvaal African Teachers Association's (TATA) Rand branch launches a teachers’ salary campaign.
1940
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 slight security for the richer Indians.
1940
The ANC establishes a ‘Department of Social Welfare’ to investigate the needs of the increasingly urban population.
1940
The first Alexandra Bus Boycott takes place in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, with commuters forcing bus companies to reduce their bus fare by one penny.
1940
William H. Andrews serves as the Chairman of the Communist Party of South Africa’s (CPSA) Central Committee. Bram Fischer is elected to the Party’s Central Committee and also serves on the Johannesburg District Committee along with Josie Palmer and Dr. Yusuf Dadoo.
1940
Joe Slovo becomes an active member of the CPSA.
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.
1940
February, The decision of the Natal Indian Association (NIA) executive to cooperate with the Lawrence Committee is ratified by the NIA's general body.
1940
[This decision to cooperate with the Committee is largely as a result of the persuasive influence and efforts of the Indian Agent-General, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, who stressed 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 (NIC) under the leadership of A.I. Kajee group declares that the 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.
1940
[The depleted NIC strongly opposes the decision of the 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
March, The National Conference of the CPSA endorses the Central Committee’s opposition to WWII. It agrees to fight pro-Nazi white nationalists at home and begins to agitate amongst the black community for full democratic rights.
1940
14 March, The Lawrence Committee, established in 1939 primarily to dissuade Indians from residing or acquiring property in predominantly White areas, holds its inaugural meeting in Durban.
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
1 June, The Native Labour Corp, one of many native military units established during the war, is formed. It is later renamed the Native Military Corps. At its peak the Corp had ten battalions equipped with assegais (spears) who served as guards in their duty.
1940
9 June, The leadership of the 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 to these racial groups.
1940
The Indian Service Corps is formed to provide transport, medical, hygiene and ambulance services in support of the South African Second World War effort.
1940
29 July, Recruitment for the Indian Service Corps (mechanical and transport section) begins under Colonel Morris. Later, in a confidential report, Colonel Morris highly praises the efforts of the NIA, and especially that of A. Christopher, P.R. Pather, S.R. Naidoo and S. Rustomjee, each of whom spent ten hours daily in assisting the recruiting programme.
1940
6 September, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo makes a statement before the court at his trial under emergency regulations. He highlights several issues affecting non European people such as pass laws, poll tax, segregation and the white labour policy.
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, and 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 AAC convenes with sixty delegates. At the Convention, Professor D.D.T. Jabavu refuses to give his opinion regarding World War II.
1940
15-17 December, At the annual ANC conference Dr. A.B. Xuma is elected ANC president and begins to rejuÂvenate the organisation. He gives the go-ahead for the formaÂtion of the Congress Youth League. Moses Kotane and J.B Marks are elected to the Resolutions Committee and E.T Mofutsanyana is nominated by Dr. A.B Xuma, to serve as Secretary for Labour in his Cabinet. To read the minutes of the conference click here.
1941
The ANC congress resolves to review its position on women membership.
1941
The Factories, Machinery and Building Works Act is passed which sets minimum safety standards and working conditions. The Act also empowers the Labour Minister to instruct the Governor-General who in turn should compel factory owners to allocate racially segregated work, recreation and eating areas for employees and where necessary to safeguard the physical, moral or social welfare of such employees.
1941
Dr. A.B. Xuma is elected as the Chairman of the Johannesburg Joint Council.
1941
January, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo is elected to the Central Committee of the CPSA and for the next 42 years serves on the Central Committee.
1941
23 February, Dr. A.B Xuma gives an address at the Mendi Memorial Celebration held at the Bantu Sports Grounds, Johannesburg. In his address Xuma queried the justification of denying Africans equal rights given their loyalty of service to their country.
1941
26 June, The ANC’s Transvaal branch holds a mass meeting to protest against the shooting and killing of two Africans in Sophiatown.
1941
8 July, The ANC deputation comprising of Dr A.B. Xuma, President General, S.P. Matseke and Selope Thema, who was later replaced by E.T Mofutsanyana because of his inability to join with other members of the deputation, meets with the Minister of Justice. To read the report of the meeting click here.
1941
26 July, The ANC in Transvaal issues a flyer, “Africans Shot in Cold Blood”, which calls for a mass meeting at Newtown Market Square, Johannesburg.
1941
August, As an indication of the growing relationship between the CPSA and the ANC, Dr. A.B. Xuma uses the columns of the Party’s organ Inkululeko to address a long statement on ‘The Policy and Platform of the African National Congress’
1941
3 August, A representative mine workers conference is called by the Transvaal Provincial Committee of the ANC. The outcome of the conference is the formation of the African Mine Workers' Union (AMU) which elects J.B. Marks as president.
1941
November, Moses Kotane presides over the founding conference of the Council of Non-European Trade Unions (CNETU). The focus of the Council is to address the poor working conditions of African workers.
1941
16 December, I.B. Tabata, at the AAC’s conference, criticises the Natives Representative Council and describes the AAC as an organisation without strong leadership. To read his address click here.
1941
Moses Kotane is elected as one of ten members of an ‘African Parliamentary Committee’ of lobbyists who would be in contact with the Native Representative Council (NRC) at the AAC conference in Bloemfontein.
1941
14-16 December, The ANC holds its annual conference. In his presidential address Xuma stated that “All its efforts are and must be concentrated upon raising the status of the African people from their semi-serfdom to citizenship.” To read more of Dr. A.B. Xuma’s presidential address click here.
1942
Sonia Bunting founder member of the Cape Town Friends of Cuba Society, joins the CPSA.
1942
Professor D.D.T. Jabavu criticises the format that the AAC uses for the election of its leadership.
1942
The first annual conference of the Federation of African Trade Unions (Rand and Pretoria) is addressed by the Minister of Labour, W.B. Madeley.
1942
The Christian Council of South Africa sponsors the Reconstruction Conference which in turn dispatches a delegation to the Prime Minister Jan Smuts to argue for increased African participation in Parliament.
1942
E.T Mofutsanyana and Alpheus Malibu are selected by the CPSA to stand as candidates for the NRC elections but neither is elected to the NRC. The ANC’s candidates of Rev. John Dube, A.W.G. Champion and Professor Z.K. Matthews are elected to the NRC.
1942
The CPSA devotes all its efforts to a ‘Defend South Africa’ campaign and Moses Kotane, as general secretary, spends months travelling to all the main centres of South Africa.
1942
January, The Springbok Legion launches the first issue of its journal, Fighting Talk.
1942
February, At the CPSA’s Annual Conference in Cape Town, the Party unanimously endorses its policy of giving full support to the government’s war effort.
1942
4 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 to 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. To read the report click here.
1942
April, Moses Kotane is commissioned by the CPSA to document Japan’s involvement in the war and he produces a pamphlet entitled, Japan – Friend or Foe?
1942
June 18, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki , future president of South Africa, is born in Idutywa district in the Transkei. Mbeki is the second child of Govan Mbeki and Ma Mofokeng.
1942
June 28, A ‘Non-European People’s Manifesto’ is adopted by a conference in Johannesburg representing 88 non-European organizations convened by the Non-European United Front. The Manifesto calls for the government to “abolish the colour bar and enable the black peoples of South Africa to play their full part in the country’s war effort” (Bunting, 1998)
1942
October, The government appoints the Smit Commission to look into the issue of African trade unions. The Smit Commission’s report on ‘Social Health and Economic Conditions of Urban Natives’ recommends the recognition of African trade unions as well as the abolition of pass laws.
1942
November, After returning to Johannesburg from a meeting in Bloemfontein Moses Kotane is arrested for making a “subversive” statement on the terms of the war emergency regulations.
1942
11 November, Paul R. Mosaka writes to Dr. A.B. Xuma with regards to his appointment as a member of the NRC.
1942
December, War Measure No. 42 is promulgated which prohibits strikes and imposes compulsory arbitration.
1942
The United Party government starts relaxing influx control measures.
1942
Bram Fischer is elected onto the Johannesburg Bar Council (a body on which he serves for the next ten years despite his alignment with the Communist Party).
1942
After representation by the CPSA’s barrister, Franz Boshoff, is made to the Minister of Justice, Dr. Steyn, prosecution against Moses Kotane is withdrawn.
1942
20-22 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 to read the party’s resolutions.
1943
Women are formally admitted as full members of the ANC.
1943
The Trading and Occupation of Land Act (Transvaal and Natal), otherwise known as the “Pegging Act”, is passed. This Act provides official control of property transactions between Whites and Indians, due to the ‘penetration’ of Indians in predominantly white areas.
1943
The headquarters of the Cape branch of the ANC, in Cradock, and its offices at Naauwpoort are raided by the Criminal Investigation Department.
1943
Sam Kahn begins serving as a member of the Cape Town City Council, a position he holds until 1952.
1943
Hilda Bernstein becomes Johannesburg City Councillor, the only Communist elected to public office.
1943
February, The Anti-Coloured Affairs Department movement (Anti-CAD movement) is established at a conference in Cape Town against the Coloured Advisory Council (CAC).
1943
March, 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
26 June, Professor D.D.T Jabavu issues a statement on the Atlantic Charter.
1943
July, Pressure by the African Mine Worker’s Union results in the creation of the Mine Wages Commission which aims to “Inquire into the Conditions of Employment in the Mines.” The Union presents a 50-page report on conditions at mines to the Commission.
1943
7 July, General elections are held with the United Party, under General Jan Smuts winning a majority of seats in Parliament. The National Party, under D.F. Malan, makes gains as the official opposition.
1943
26 August, The AAC manifesto is redrafted as a Call to Unitywhich is adopted by the AAC’s National Executive.
1943
2-11 August, In Alexandra, the local bus company increases fares by 1d. This sparks a spontaneous protest in which 20 000 residents boycott buses and walk approximately 14kms into town and back home. A Bus Service Committee is set up by the ANC and it includes leaders of the community, representatives from Trade Unions, Vigilance Societies and the CPSA. After nine days, the bus company agrees to reduce the fare back to the original 4d. A commission of enquiry is set up to look into bus fares.
1943
26 September, The African Democratic Party (ADP) is launched by, amongst others, Paul Mosaka, Self Mampuru and Dan Koza. It has a social-democratic programme and hopes to provide an alternative to the ANC. Former Communist member Hyman Basner addresses its inaugural meeting, criticising the ANC-CPSA alliance. The party becomes influential in Alexandra and Orlando and lasts for about five years. To read the manifesto of the ADP click here.
1943
December, Seventy-two delegates, including Indians and Coloureds, attend the 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 D. D. T. Jabavu. To read the “Draft Declaration of Unity” of this conference click here.
1943
Three CPSA candidates are re-elected in the Johannesburg advisory board elections.
1943
4 December, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo opens an Anti-Pass Conference called by the CPSA. Dadoo is subsequently elected to a committee that will mount an anti pass campaign. The Committee is tasked with setting up regional committees throughout South Africa prior to the convening of a national anti pass conference in Easter 1944.
1943
13-14 December, The Atlantic Charter Committee, led by ANC leader Dr A.B Xuma, meets in Bloemfontein and draw up a memorandum entitled 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. This becomes the basic policy statement on which all subsequent ANC documents are based.Dr. A.B Xuma, with the help and advice of Professor Macmillian and Bram Fischer, draft a new constitution for the ANC.
1943
16 December, The new ANC constitution is adopted at the Congress’s annual conference. The conference also adopts ‘African Claims in South Africa’.
1944
Pensions Laws Amendment Act 1944 is passed. The Act provides war pensions and a non-contributory old-age pension scheme to African men and women. The Act also extended disability grant to Coloured, African and Indian people. However, there is a discrepancy with regard to the payment of the benefits to the pensioners. The maximum benefit payable to African pensioners is set less than one-third of the maximum payable to White pensioners. The Act receives strong opposition from the National Party.
1944
Chief Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela join the ANC.
1944
Adelaide Tambo is elected as a courier for the ANC.
1944
January, Moses Kotane and Dr. Yusuf Dadoo are the main speakers at a mass anti-pass demonstration organized by the newly formed Anti-Pass Committee.
1944
4-5 January, The Anti-CAD Movement hosts its second national conference at City Hall, Cape Town. To read a report of the proceedings click here.
1944
4-16 January, At the CPSA Conference, a resolution, amongst many others, calls on Party members to take an active role in building the national organisations of African, Coloured and Indians peoples and the establishment of strong local branches in every centre.
1944
February, Moses Kotane is the lead speaker at a CPSA ‘country conference’ in Paarl. This is the first of its kind to be held and is attended by delegates from all parts of the Western Cape Province.
1944
March The ANCYL provisional committee publishes its Congress Youth League Manifesto, the central theme of which is the African’s decision to “determine his future by his own efforts” (Walshe, 1970: 335). To read a copy of the ANCYL’s constitution click here.
1944
April, Moses Kotane and Dr. A.B. Xuma spend the rest of the year speaking at anti-pass demonstration in several places around the country.
1944
Despite representations made to the Mine Wages Commission, the Commission reports “that the Chamber’s labour policy was sound” (Levy, 2011)
1944
2 April, The ANCYL Transvaal branch is established in Johannesburg as a step towards establishing a national structure.
1944
25 April,The Durban District Branch of the CPSA is the first organisation, to protest against the Pretoria Agreement and circulates a petition, condemning the Agreement between A.I Kajee and Prime Minister Jan Smuts. The Party is able to gather thousands of signatures.
1944
May, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo makes a statement on the Pretoria Agreement and calls it a shameful negation of all the noble principles for which the Indian people have stood and fought during all the years of their experience in South Africa.” To more of Dadoo’s statement click here
1944
14 May,The CPSA organises a rally where 10 000 people assemble at the Red Square and reject the Smuts-Kajee Agreement.
1944
20-21 May,At a mass anti-pass conference in Johannesburg, a National Anti-Pass Council is elected to collect 1 million signatures. Moses Kotane is voted onto the council and Josie Palmer also begins to work with the Council. To read the resolutions of the conference click here.
1944
August, The NRC passes a resolution stating that the government's segregation policy is the root of all distrust among races and 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, The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is officially formed by young radicals at the Bantu Men`s Social Centre in Johannesburg. Amongst some of the young people that had actively canvassed for its formation were Anton Lembede, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Dan Tloome, William Nkomo, Ida Mtwa, Lillian Ngoyi, Ashby Mda, Duma Nokwe, James Njongweni and B. Masekela. To read a copy of the ANCYL’s constitution click here. The first National Executive members are Anton Lembede, president, Oliver Tambo, secretary, Walter Sisulu, treasurer, A.P. Mda organiser, with Nelson Mandela and David Bopape as additional members.
1944
November, The government gives permission for bus fares to be increased to 5d. This is done despite evidence by a Commission of Inquiry, set up after the Alexandra bus boycott of 1943, that no urban African could afford such an increase. As a result residents of Alexandra carry out another bus boycott which lasts for seven weeks.
1944
December,CPSA candidates sweep the board in elections in Langa location, Cape Town.
1945
The Port Elizabeth branch of the ANC organises protest marches against any extension of single accommodation or compound housing.
1945
Albert Luthuli is elected to the Executive Committee of the Natal Organisation of the ANC.
1945
J.B Marks succeeds Gana Makabeni as president of CNETU.
1945
4-5 January, The NEUM meets in Cape Town for its annual conference. To read Dr. Yusuf Dadoo’s report on the conference click here.
1945
February, The ANCYL national president, Anton Lembede, issues an article entitled Some Basic Principles of African Nationalism in Inyaniso.
1945
March, At the annual conference of the Johannesburg District Committee of the CPSA, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo is nominated as chairperson. He declines to stand. The runoff is between Danie du Plessis and E.T Mofutsanyana, du Plessis is elected as Chairman.
1945
8 May, There are no official government celebrations on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). The ANC and SACP leaders celebrate the Allied victory over Hitler at a spontaneous gathering in Johannesburg. The people march through the streets of central Johannesburg gathering at the City Hall steps. Dr. Yusuf Dadoo, Michael Harmel and JB Marks make impromptu speeches at the steps of Johannesburg City Hall.
1945
Dr. A.B. Xuma makes a statement entitled “Africans and San Francisco”.
1945
June, Moses Kotane, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo and Selope Thema take the anti-pass petition to Cape Town.
1945
1 June, Native (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act No 25 passed. The Act introduces influx control, applicable to Black males only. People who are deemed to be leading idle or dissolute lives or who had committed certain specified offences could be removed from an urban area.
1945
July, A statement is issued by the NEUM entitled “A Declaration to the Nations of the World” and is signed by Rev. Z.R. Mahabane, Dr. G.H. Good and E.C. Roberts.
1945
October, The Pan-African Conference is hosted in Manchester and is attended by Mark Hlubi and Peter Abrahams from the ANC. Also present were delegates from the AAC and Non-European Front.
1945
At a meeting in Cape Town, 8000 Africans called for the immediate implementation of the ANC’s newly drafted Atlantic Charter.
1945
27 October, Candidates of the Anti-Segregation Council, led by Dr Monty 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.
1945
16 December, The annual ANC conferences unanimously adopts African Claims
1945
27-30 December, At the CPSA annual conference held in Johannesburg debates centre on whether the Party should support the creation of black trade unions or non-racial unions. The majority vote for supporting non-racial trade unions but the Party also states that it does not see any contradiction in supporting ethnic groups being organised separately in their own political formations.
1946
India severs trade relationships with the Union of South Africa in protest against its discriminatory treatment of people with an Asian origin.
1946
At a meeting called by the Anti-Pass Committee in Langa, Cape Town, where Moses Kotane is a key note speaker, the crowd takes a militant step and burns their passes.
1946
Dr A.B Xuma attends the first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in the hope of being given a platform to present views of the ANC regarding the Smuts government racial policies. The SAIC assists Dr. A.B Xuma to come into contact with the Indian delegation at the UN.
1946
The Natal Inter-Race Soccer Board is established with the help of Albert Luthuli.
1946
January, Dr. A.B. Xuma sends a cable to the United Nations opposing the incorporation of South-West Africa (Namibia) into South Africa.
1946
14 January, Dr. A.B. Xuma issues a statement on the African Worker.
1946
3 February, 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
11 February, Rev. John Dube dies in Umhlanga, Natal. His position as the Natal representative on the Natives' Representative Council (NRC) is filled by Albert Luthuli.
1946
20 February, A Day of Prayer, called by the NIC, is observed widely. Indian businesses close at 1 p.m. and many Indians take a resistance pledge.
1946
31 March, Six thousand Indians march in Durban to protest against the Asiatic Bill (called the Ghetto Act by Indians), and support the South African Indian Congress (SAIC) resolution for Passive Resistance. Dr Monty Naicker, President of the NIC, addresses the demonstrators. H.I.E. Dhlomo of the ANC and L.A. Smith of the APO speak at the meeting and pledge the support of African and Coloured people to Indians in their struggle. This began the passive resistance campaign which lasted until 1948.
1946
April, Two-thousand mine workers attend a rally where they demand 10 shillings a day, adequate food amongst other demands. These demands are ignored by the Chamber of Mines.
1946
May, Anton Lembede publishes an article on the “Policy of the Congress Youth League” in Inkundla ya Bantu.
1946
June, A full conference of the Anti-Pass Council is held. Dr. A.B Xuma addresses the conference, stating that the pass laws were the ‘very foundation of economic exploitation’ (Walshe, 1970: 312).
1946
3 June, The NIC meets in emergency session in Durban and decides on a hartal (strike action) on 13 June, which is designated ‘Resistance Day’ to mark the beginning of the Passive Resistance Campaign against the Ghetto Act.
1946
6 June, The Asiatic Land Tenure (and Indian Representation/Ghetto Act) Act No 28 is passed. Asian trade is restricted to certain defined areas by preventing inter-racial transfers of property. In Durban, a Land Tenure Advisory Board was established to draw up plans for the permanent division of cities into White and Indian sectors.
1946
13 June, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo and Dr. Monty Naicker lead an Indian Passive resistance campaign against the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act.
1946
African miners strike from the East to the West Rand, police open fire, killing some and injuring hundreds of workers.
1946
Mayibuye Centre exhibition takes place at the Center for African Studies at the University of Cape Town. It is entitled “Margins to Mainstream: Lost South African Photographers.” It is one of the first exhibitions of resistance photography, and includes the work of Ernest Cole, Bob Gosani, Eli Weinberg and Leon Leveson.
1946
4 August, A mass meeting of mine workers is held at Market Square, Newtown, Johannesburg where a decision is taken to undertake a general strike on the mines.
1946
12 August, The African Mineworkers Union launches the biggest strike since the Rand Revolt of 1922. More than 60 000 African mineworkers take part. During the strike nine workers are killed and 70 are dismissed. The CPSA’s offices are raided by the police along with other organizations that supported the miner’s strike.
1946
14 August, As a result of the governments crack down on the mine workers’ strike, a decision is taken to indefinitely adjourn the NRC.
1946
26 August, Moses Kotane, as CPSA’s general secretary, together with the entire CPSA Johannesburg District Committee and the miners’ leaders are charged under the Riotous Assemblies Act. The charges are dropped against Moses Kotane and 5 others, while the others are fined £50 when the charge of conspiracy is dropped.
1946
6 October,Moses Kotane attends an emergency conference in Bloemfontein called by the President-General of the ANC, Dr. A.B Xuma, to discuss the Mineworkers strike.
1946
November,William H. Andrews, Moses Kotane and other members of the CPSA Central Committee are arrested in Cape Town on a charge of sedition. After a long trail, the case is eventually withdrawn in 1948.
1946
20 November, The NRC meets to hear the government’s response on the adjournment decision. The caucus decides to maintain the decision of indefinitely adjourning the Council. Professor Z.K. Matthews issues a pamphlet entitled Reasons Why the Native Representative Council in the Union of South Africa Adjourned.
1946
14-17 December, At the annual conference of the ANC, held in Bloemfontein, Moses Kotane, along with other CPSA members such as J.B Marks, Dan Tloome and Lucas Philips, are elected onto the National Executive Council (NEC). The ANC annual conference asks its NEC to consider the possibilities of closer cooperation with the national organisations of other non-Europeans in the common struggle. To read the resolutions made at the conference click here.
1946
18 December, Steve Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), is born in King Williams Town, Eastern Cape.
1947
The Industrial Conciliation (Natives) Bill is passed. The Bill provides for a degree of recognition for African trade unions, however, African unions are not allowed to affiliate to any political organisation or participate in political activities as well as join any trade union confederation. The Act also excludes the mining industry from its terms.
1947
The ANC is represented at an All-African Trade Union Conference, in Dakar, by J.B. Marks and Dan Tloome (both from the Transvaal Congress).
1947
An all-African, anti-communist Council of African Trade Unions is formed in opposition to the Council of Non-European Trade Unions.
1947
Mary Malahlela-Xakana becomes the first female Black doctor in South Africa.
1947
3-5 January, At the annual conference in Johannesburg, the CPSA calls for the establishment of a fighting alliance and endorses the ANC boycott call of all elections under the Representation of Natives Act of 1936.
1947
1-2 February, The National Executive Committee of the ANC has a meeting. To read the minutes click here.
1947
8 March, Josie Palmer is elected as secretary of the non-racial Transvaal All Women's Union formed at the International Women's Day Meeting in Johannesburg.
1947
9 March,Dr Monty Naicker (NIC), Dr Yusuf Dadoo (TIC) and Dr A.B. Xuma (ANC) meet in Johannesburg. The presidents of the three congresses sign the Doctors Pact, a joint declaration of co-operation between them. To read the statement issued by Dr. A.B. Xuma, click here.
1947
21 March, Dr A.B Xuma issues a flyer To All Africans and Friends of Justice where he declared that “The time has now come that all self-respecting Africans--men and women must join in the struggle for their own liberation”. To read more on the flyer click here
1947
23 March, A meeting of the ANC, APO, NIC and TIC is held in Johannesburg to discuss cooperation.
1947
4 May, The Natal Indian Organisation (NIO) is formed by moderate Indians.
1947
8-9 May, Prime Minister Jan Smuts calls in Professor Z.K. Matthews and five other NRC representatives to negotiate giving the NRC some definite responsibility over the government and management of reserves. Dr. A.B Xuma responds by stating that “we do not accept any proposal that does not provide for direct representation of all sectors of the community in all legislative bodies” (Levy, 2011). To read a report of the meeting click here.
1947
11 May, Dr. A.B. Xuma, on behalf of the ANC, responds to the proposals made by the Prime Minister on restarting the NRC.
1947
June, Dr Yusuf Dadoo opens the annual conference of the APO.
1947
29 July, The ANCYL president, Anton Lembede, dies at the age of 33.
1947
November, The NRC Caucus issues a statement on the Prime Minister’s Policy towards the NRC.
1947
December, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo and Dr. Monty Naicker issue a joint statement entitled “Call for Renewed Struggle Against Ghetto Act” after a meeting of the Joint Passive Resistance Council.
1948
The Train Apartheid Resistance Campaign (TARC) is formed to fight the extension of segregation to trains in the Cape Peninsula. It fizzles out within six months; several months later, following their acquittal in May 1949 of the charge of incitement, the TARC leadership announces its decision to affiliate to the NEUM. On the one hand, the TARC was a forerunner of the Congress movement's tactical campaigns of the 1950s, which, in their use of passive resistance, showed elements of Gandhi's Satyagraha movement. On the other, it foreshadowed the NEUM's growing reticence, especially in the Western Cape, to engage in tactical campaigns.
1948
Alan Paton’s Cry the Beloved Country is published. It isa social protest against the structures of South African society which would give way to apartheid.
1948
Albert Luthuli visits the United States of America to attend the North American Missionary Conference and undertakes a lecture tour under the auspices of the American Board.
1948
The ANC Women's League is formally established. Madie-Hall Xuma is elected President, a position she holds until 1949.
1948
The ANCYL executive committee issues a statement which covers the “Basic Policy of the Congress Youth League”.
1948
January, The CPSA, at its annual conference decides to support candidates into the Native Representative Council who pledge to work for universal franchise. E.T. Mofutsanyana, Alpheus Maliba and A. S. Damana represent the Party in the NRC elections. The conference also demands the withdrawal of criminal charges then pending against members of the Central Executive as a direct consequence of the strike by African miners in 1946.
1948
30 January, M.K. Gandhi is assassinated by a member of a right-wing Hindu organisation in New Delhi. Dr. Yusuf Dadoo issues a statement in tribute to his life.
1948
March, The CPSA holds its Johannesburg District Committee meeting. Dr. Yusuf Dadoo is elected Chairman in absentia. The Party writes to the Minister of Justice objecting to the imprisonment of Dr Yusuf Dadoo and Dr. Monty Naicker.
1948
William H. Andrews leads the CPSA in celebrating the one hundredth year anniversary of the Communist Manifesto in Cape Town.
1948
29-31 March, The NEUM hosts its sixth National Unity Conference in Cape Town. To read the resolutions passed at the conference click here.
1948
5 April, Dr. A.B. Xuma issues a statement on the upcoming general election.
1948
May, The CPSA holds a ‘People’s Assembly for Votes for All’ in Johannesburg.
1948
20 May, In an interview with The Guardian, Moses Kotane urges all progressives to vote for candidates of the CPSA in the general election.
1948
26 May, The National Party (NP) wins most seats in the general election on its policy of racial segregation (later to become known by the Afrikaans word apartheid). NP leader D.F. Malan becomes Prime Minister. The CPSA calls for the formation of an anti-Nationalist front in response.
1948
3 June, Professor James Thaele dies in Cape Town.
1948
July, Rev. J.A. Calata gives his presidential address at a conference of the ANC’s Cape Province branch.
1948
Dr. Yusuf Dadoo gives a speech entitled “Apartheid Over Our Dead Bodies” at a mass meeting organised by the Transvaal Passive Resistance Council on his release from prison.
1948
10 September, The publication of a draft Proclamation No. 1890 for the “Financial Protection of Natives”, promulgated under the Natives Administration Act of 1927 receives significant public outcry, including from the CPSA, because it states that “no organization or individual could collect money from Africans without the written permission of the Native Commissioner or magistrate” (Bunting, 1998: 160).
1948
3 October, Dr. A.B. Xuma calls a meeting of twelve African leaders to end the rift between the ANC and the All-African Convention. The leaders sign “A Call for Unity”.
1948
12 October, Asiatic Laws Amendment Act No 47 is passed. This Act repeals the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act of 1946, which had not yet been proclaimed. This Act allowed Transvaal and Natal Indians the right to elect Whites to represent them in Parliament.
1948
17 November, Tensions between members of the AAC arises. The AAC members at a joint conference with the ANC cannot find common ground on issues pertaining to the running of the organisation. The AAC rejects the ‘Call for African Unity’ proposal.
1948
25 November, Dr. A.B. Xuma sends a cable to the United Nations with regards to a statement made by Eric Hendrik Louw.
1948
16-17 December, A joint conference of the ANC and AAC is held in Batho Location Community Hall, Bloemfontein. To read the minutes click here.
1949
Fatima Meer establishes the Durban Districts Women's League.
1949
Sam Kahn wins an election to Parliament as a representative of Natives of the Western Constituency of the Cape by an overwhelming majority against a Nationalist and an independent opponent. Kahn becomes the first Communist to be elected to Parliament.
1949
Joe Slovo marries Ruth First.
1949
Ida Mntwana replaces Madie-Hall Xuma as the president of the ANC Women’s League.
1949
14 January, Charges of slum-lord tactics and exploitation laid against Indian landowners in Cato Manor result in an African versus Indian race rebellion. Two days of murder, pillage and arson leave some 50 Indians dead, more than 500 injured and thousands in makeshift refugee camps. The Africans, whose toll was 87 killed and 550 injured, believe they'd won the Battle of Cato Manor. Other sources, such as Liebenberg and Spies (1993: 377) place the death toll at 53 Indians and 83 Africans.
1949
20 January, The ANC Working Committee issues a statement signed by Dr. A.B Xuma on the Durban Riots.
1949
6 February, The Joint meeting of African and Indian leaders from the ANC and SAIC is held in Durban and they agree on closer co-operation. To read the statement issued click here.
1949
17-18 April, A second joint conference between the AAC and the ANC is held. At the conference AAC calls upon the ANC to support the policy of non-collaboration with government. This conference fails to form a union between the two organisations. To read the minutes of the conference click here.
1949
8 May, Moses Kotane writes to Professor Z.K. Matthews reporting on the joint meeting between the AAC and ANC.
1949
July, The CPSA makes a statement calling on the African, Indian and Coloured people to unite in resisting the Nationalist aggression.
1949
8 July, Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act No 55 is passed and prohibits marriage between Whites and any other race group.
1949
November, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo is informed of a government ban on him against appearing at public meetings.
1949
13 December, At a mass meeting convened in Johannesburg, the TIC, ANC, CPSA, and the APO condemn the ban on Dr. Yusuf Dadoo.
1949
15-17 December, The ‘Programme of Action’ is adopted by the ANC which abandons the traditional moderate approach of petitions and deputations in favour of mass action using the tactics of boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. This leads to the Defiance Campaign of the 1950s. Dr. A.B Xuma is replaced as President-General of the ANC by Dr. J.S. Moroka and Walter Sisulu is elected Secretary-General. The Congress also authorises the official ANC sign – a clinched right hand with the thumb pointing to the right shoulder. To read the minutes of this meeting click here.
