South Africa History timeline Andrew Wu
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/1/24210953/417970287.jpg)
1400s
1488- Portugese explorer Batholomeu Dias becomes the first European to circumnavigate and travel around the coast of South Africa, thereby naming the "Cape of Good Hope".
1497- Portugese explorer Vasco de Gama sets foot on South African soil and is attacked by the native people, the Khoi- Khoi and returns to his ship.
1498- Vaso de Gama crosses the Indian Ocean and reaches India, establishing trade between Portugal and India.
1500s- 1700s
1500s- 1570s- Europeans begin to map out and set foot on South Africa.
1580s- 1600s European explorers begin to trade with the Khoi- Khoi of South Africa.
1652- Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Trading Company, establishes a refreshment station ( to provide water, food ans supplies etc) at Table Bay.
1653- Imported slaves from the Netherlands begin to arrive at Table Bay.
1657- Van Riebeeck begins to establish a field for growing fresh crops, as there is demand for fresh food.
1659- Wars begin between the Khoi-Khoi natives and the Dutch settlers. The lack of unity in the natives becomes their doom as they lose the war.
1660s- 1690s- Dutch explorers further colonize the land and explore further into the land.
1702- Trafficking of cattle and ivory at the Cape colony is established.
1739- Khoi Khoi natives fight against the Dutch, but their protest is suppressed.
1785- Shaka Zulu is born.
1789- Merino sheep are imported from the Netherlands, which creates the wool industry.
1795- The first British occupy Cape Town and the rule of the Dutch East India Company ends.
1488- Portugese explorer Batholomeu Dias becomes the first European to circumnavigate and travel around the coast of South Africa, thereby naming the "Cape of Good Hope".
1497- Portugese explorer Vasco de Gama sets foot on South African soil and is attacked by the native people, the Khoi- Khoi and returns to his ship.
1498- Vaso de Gama crosses the Indian Ocean and reaches India, establishing trade between Portugal and India.
1500s- 1700s
1500s- 1570s- Europeans begin to map out and set foot on South Africa.
1580s- 1600s European explorers begin to trade with the Khoi- Khoi of South Africa.
1652- Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Trading Company, establishes a refreshment station ( to provide water, food ans supplies etc) at Table Bay.
1653- Imported slaves from the Netherlands begin to arrive at Table Bay.
1657- Van Riebeeck begins to establish a field for growing fresh crops, as there is demand for fresh food.
1659- Wars begin between the Khoi-Khoi natives and the Dutch settlers. The lack of unity in the natives becomes their doom as they lose the war.
1660s- 1690s- Dutch explorers further colonize the land and explore further into the land.
1702- Trafficking of cattle and ivory at the Cape colony is established.
1739- Khoi Khoi natives fight against the Dutch, but their protest is suppressed.
1785- Shaka Zulu is born.
1789- Merino sheep are imported from the Netherlands, which creates the wool industry.
1795- The first British occupy Cape Town and the rule of the Dutch East India Company ends.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/1/24210953/1382586331.jpg)
1800s
1800- An official newspaper is established in the colony, known as the Cape Town Gazette and the African Advertiser.
1803- The African territory is handed back to the Dutch temporarily. A mail service between Cape Town and Algoa Bay (today Port Elizabeth) is established.
1806- The British occupy Cape Town again and all Dutch property is surrendered to the British.
1820- Port Elizabeth is established by the British. 5000 new immigrants from Britain arrive in Port Elizabeth. Tensions become increasingly heated between the native AmaZulu (ruled by Shaka Zulu) and the British and the Boers (descendants of Dutch people).
1825- Paul Kruger is born in Bulhoek.
1834-1840 The slaves at Cape Town are formally emancipated, and are thereby known as "apprentices". Boer farmers leave Cape Town in secret in what is known today as the "Great Trek", and create the provinces of Transvaal and Orange Free State.
1838- British troops occupy Port Natal, today known as Durban.
1856- The province of Natal separates from the Cape and is granted limited government.
1858- The Basotho War breaks out between the Basotho natives and the Boers (who try to seize their land), but the Boers are defeated by their king, Mosshoeshoe I.
1859- Indian labourers begin to arrive in Natal under the Natal Act. No. 14.
1879- The British defeat the Zulus at Natal.
1883- Paul Kruger, a Boer, is sworn in as State president of the South African Republic (aka Transvaal)
1886- Gold is discovered in Johannesburg, and the city is established.
1890- President Paul Kreuger arrives in Johannesburg, but is insulted and decides not to colonise Transvaal.
1899- The Second Anglo- Boer War breaks out between the British and the Boers, as they fight for diamonds and gold.
1800- An official newspaper is established in the colony, known as the Cape Town Gazette and the African Advertiser.
1803- The African territory is handed back to the Dutch temporarily. A mail service between Cape Town and Algoa Bay (today Port Elizabeth) is established.
1806- The British occupy Cape Town again and all Dutch property is surrendered to the British.
1820- Port Elizabeth is established by the British. 5000 new immigrants from Britain arrive in Port Elizabeth. Tensions become increasingly heated between the native AmaZulu (ruled by Shaka Zulu) and the British and the Boers (descendants of Dutch people).
1825- Paul Kruger is born in Bulhoek.
1834-1840 The slaves at Cape Town are formally emancipated, and are thereby known as "apprentices". Boer farmers leave Cape Town in secret in what is known today as the "Great Trek", and create the provinces of Transvaal and Orange Free State.
1838- British troops occupy Port Natal, today known as Durban.
1856- The province of Natal separates from the Cape and is granted limited government.
1858- The Basotho War breaks out between the Basotho natives and the Boers (who try to seize their land), but the Boers are defeated by their king, Mosshoeshoe I.
1859- Indian labourers begin to arrive in Natal under the Natal Act. No. 14.
1879- The British defeat the Zulus at Natal.
1883- Paul Kruger, a Boer, is sworn in as State president of the South African Republic (aka Transvaal)
1886- Gold is discovered in Johannesburg, and the city is established.
1890- President Paul Kreuger arrives in Johannesburg, but is insulted and decides not to colonise Transvaal.
1899- The Second Anglo- Boer War breaks out between the British and the Boers, as they fight for diamonds and gold.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/1/24210953/364457426.jpg)
1900s
1902- The Peace treaty of Vereeniging, signed by the Boers and the British, ends the Second Boer War.
1904- Paul Kruger dies from cardiac failure. He is buried with his wife in Pretoria.
1910- The Union of South Africa is formed between the British and the Boers (Afrikaners). Resentment towards the British from the Afrikaners becomes intense.
1912- The South African Native National Convention is formed in Bloemfontein, which aims to bring Africans together and defend their rights and freedoms.
1913- The Natives' Land Act is passed, setting aside 7.3 % of South Africa for the 5.5 million blacks to live. It also prevents the Africans being able to buy land from whites.
1914- J.B.M. Hertzog founds the National Party.1916- Nelson "Rolihlahla (means troublemaker)" Mandela is born
1923- The Native Urban Areas Act is passed, giving authorities control over the black population's movements in towns and cities. The SAANC is renamed the African National Congress (ANC).
1924- Hertzog becomes prime minister.
1936- The Representation of Natives Act is passed, which allows blacks to vote only for white politicians.
1902- The Peace treaty of Vereeniging, signed by the Boers and the British, ends the Second Boer War.
1904- Paul Kruger dies from cardiac failure. He is buried with his wife in Pretoria.
1910- The Union of South Africa is formed between the British and the Boers (Afrikaners). Resentment towards the British from the Afrikaners becomes intense.
1912- The South African Native National Convention is formed in Bloemfontein, which aims to bring Africans together and defend their rights and freedoms.
1913- The Natives' Land Act is passed, setting aside 7.3 % of South Africa for the 5.5 million blacks to live. It also prevents the Africans being able to buy land from whites.
1914- J.B.M. Hertzog founds the National Party.1916- Nelson "Rolihlahla (means troublemaker)" Mandela is born
1923- The Native Urban Areas Act is passed, giving authorities control over the black population's movements in towns and cities. The SAANC is renamed the African National Congress (ANC).
1924- Hertzog becomes prime minister.
1936- The Representation of Natives Act is passed, which allows blacks to vote only for white politicians.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/1/24210953/765446359.jpg)
Apartheid era
1948- An Afrikaner government is elected, and Daniel Malan is elected prime minister. He goes on to lay the foundations for apartheid.
1950- The Population Registration Act classifies people into 4 categories- white, coloured, Asiatic (Indian) and Native (Bantu or African). The Group Areas Act is also passed, establishing segregated areas for each group in towns and cities.
1951- The Bantu Authorities Act is passed, which gives the government the right to restrict the black population to specific areas.
1952- The (deceptive) Abolition of Passes Act is passed, forcing Africans to carry ID booklets (with their name, address, fingerprints, d.o.b., etc).
1953- The Bantu Education Act is passed, controlling education of African children. Far fewer resources are allocated for Africans, and non- whites are barred from enrolling in white universities.
1958- Hendrik Verwoerd, the man behind apartheid, is elected prime minister.
1960- Sharpeville Massacre. A large group of Africans refuse to carry their passes and gather at the local police station. Police open fire. 69 Africans are killed, 187 wounded. The massacre shocks the world. The ANC is banned.
1960s- International pressure against the government begins. South Africa is banned from the Olympics ans other world sporting events. The UN monitors apartheid, and calls for action.
1964- Nelson Mandela (and 7 others) is sent to imprisonment for "plotting to overthrow the government and recruiting people to commit violence".
1966- Verwoerd is assassinated.
1974- South Africa is expelled from the UN.
1976- Soweto Uprising. Secondary students protest against the use of Afrikaans (language) in their schools. Violence erupts across South Africa. After a few months, 575 people are dead, and thousands more wounded.
1978- P. W. Botha becomes prime minister.
1980s- International attention is drawn to South Africa's apartheid laws. Countries ban imports of South African goods. Many companies are under pressure to pull out of South Africa. Governments launch international campaigns to boycott South Africa.
1986- The Urbans Areas Act is repealed, removing ID pass laws.
1989- F.W. de Klerk is elected prime minister. Segregation laws are finally repealed.
1990- Bans on the ANC are lifted. Large amount of political prisoners are released, and all death sentences are suspended. After 27 years, Nelson Mandela is released.
Post apartheid era
1991- All remaining apartheid laws are abolished.
1993- de Klerk and Mandela are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1994- Black people are given the right to vote. The ANC wins 62.6% of the vote. Nelson Mandela becomes the first black president, and South Africa rejoins the Commonwealth and the UN.
1995- South Africa hosts and wins the Rugby World Cup, defeating the All Blacks 15-12.
1999- Thambo Mbeki is elected president, as Mandela retires from politics.
2005- Mbeki's deputy, Jacob Zuma, is charged with corruption.
2008- Mbeki resigns. Kgalema Motlanthe becomes caretaking president.
2009- Corruption charges against Zuma are dropped. Zuma becomes president.
2010- South Africa hosts the FIFA World Cup. Spain wins.
2012- Police open fire on mine workers in Marikana, who were protesting against low salaries. 34 people are killed, hundred more are injured or arrested.
2013- Mandela dies, aged 95, at his home in Johannesburg. The world leaders pay tribute to him at Soccer City in Johannesburg and he is buried in his childhood town of Qunu.
1948- An Afrikaner government is elected, and Daniel Malan is elected prime minister. He goes on to lay the foundations for apartheid.
1950- The Population Registration Act classifies people into 4 categories- white, coloured, Asiatic (Indian) and Native (Bantu or African). The Group Areas Act is also passed, establishing segregated areas for each group in towns and cities.
1951- The Bantu Authorities Act is passed, which gives the government the right to restrict the black population to specific areas.
1952- The (deceptive) Abolition of Passes Act is passed, forcing Africans to carry ID booklets (with their name, address, fingerprints, d.o.b., etc).
1953- The Bantu Education Act is passed, controlling education of African children. Far fewer resources are allocated for Africans, and non- whites are barred from enrolling in white universities.
1958- Hendrik Verwoerd, the man behind apartheid, is elected prime minister.
1960- Sharpeville Massacre. A large group of Africans refuse to carry their passes and gather at the local police station. Police open fire. 69 Africans are killed, 187 wounded. The massacre shocks the world. The ANC is banned.
1960s- International pressure against the government begins. South Africa is banned from the Olympics ans other world sporting events. The UN monitors apartheid, and calls for action.
1964- Nelson Mandela (and 7 others) is sent to imprisonment for "plotting to overthrow the government and recruiting people to commit violence".
1966- Verwoerd is assassinated.
1974- South Africa is expelled from the UN.
1976- Soweto Uprising. Secondary students protest against the use of Afrikaans (language) in their schools. Violence erupts across South Africa. After a few months, 575 people are dead, and thousands more wounded.
1978- P. W. Botha becomes prime minister.
1980s- International attention is drawn to South Africa's apartheid laws. Countries ban imports of South African goods. Many companies are under pressure to pull out of South Africa. Governments launch international campaigns to boycott South Africa.
1986- The Urbans Areas Act is repealed, removing ID pass laws.
1989- F.W. de Klerk is elected prime minister. Segregation laws are finally repealed.
1990- Bans on the ANC are lifted. Large amount of political prisoners are released, and all death sentences are suspended. After 27 years, Nelson Mandela is released.
Post apartheid era
1991- All remaining apartheid laws are abolished.
1993- de Klerk and Mandela are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1994- Black people are given the right to vote. The ANC wins 62.6% of the vote. Nelson Mandela becomes the first black president, and South Africa rejoins the Commonwealth and the UN.
1995- South Africa hosts and wins the Rugby World Cup, defeating the All Blacks 15-12.
1999- Thambo Mbeki is elected president, as Mandela retires from politics.
2005- Mbeki's deputy, Jacob Zuma, is charged with corruption.
2008- Mbeki resigns. Kgalema Motlanthe becomes caretaking president.
2009- Corruption charges against Zuma are dropped. Zuma becomes president.
2010- South Africa hosts the FIFA World Cup. Spain wins.
2012- Police open fire on mine workers in Marikana, who were protesting against low salaries. 34 people are killed, hundred more are injured or arrested.
2013- Mandela dies, aged 95, at his home in Johannesburg. The world leaders pay tribute to him at Soccer City in Johannesburg and he is buried in his childhood town of Qunu.