War eaks out between the British and the Transvaal (the first Anglo Boer War)

Natives Land Act limits black land ownership to existing tribal territories.

National Party (NP) founded.
South Africa enters World War I on Allied side.

The South African Communist Party banner paraded during the Rand miners’ strike

Blacks removed from common voters’ roll in the Cape. Native Trust and Land Act gives blacks 13% of land.

NP under Dr DF Malan defeats Gen Smuts’s United Party in general election.

Population Registration, Group Areas, Separate Representation of Voters, Suppression of Communism and Immorality Acts passed. South Africa enters the Korean War.

ANC launches Defiance Campaign.

Dr Hendrik Verwoerd succeeds JG Strijdom as prime minister.

69 people are killed at Sharpeville in a demonstration against pass laws.

Rivonia Trial ends: Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and other ANC activists sentenced to life imprisonment for treason.

Prime Minister HF Verwoerd assassinated; succeeded by BJ Vorster.

South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) formed by Steve Biko - the beginning of the black consciousness movement.

Zulu cultural movement, Inkatha Yenkululeko Yesizwe revived by Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

‘Childrens Uprising’ begins in Soweto on June 16 and spreads around country

UN Security Council imposes mandatory arms embargo against SA. Steve Biko dies in detention following police brutality. Several political organisaitons and newspapers are banned on October 19.

BJ Vorster resigns as Prime Minister as a consequence of the ‘Information Scandal’ and is succeeded by PW Botha.

White referendum approves PW Botha’s ‘reforms’, extending separate racial franchise to coloured and Indian minorities. United Democratic Front (UDF) is launched.

Tricameral Parliament is established with separate assemblies for whites, coloureds and Asians. PW Botha becomes executive state president.

US Congress imposes sanctions against South Africa. Mixed Marriages Act, influx control and pass laws are scrapped.

Harare Declaration signed, setting out the ANC’s pre-negotiating position. PW Botha and Nelson Mandela meet face to face for the first time. PW Botha resigns. The NP, under his successor FW de Klerk, wins the general election. De Klerk becomes State President. Walter Sisulu and seven other long-term political prisoners are released.

ANC, PAC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) are unbanned. Nelson Mandela released on February 11 after 27 years in prison.
Namibia gains independence.
The Groote Schuur Minute signed, paving the way for negotiations on majority rule.
The ANC suspends armed struggle.

Whites-only referendum endorses the government’s reform process.
39 people killed in a massacre in Boipatong. ANC suspends talks with the government.
Record of Understanding signed, agreeing to a democratically elected interim government of national unity.

ANC leader Chris Hani is assassinated.
UN lifts sanctions.
Transitional constitution providing for non-racial multiparty democracy, three tiers of government and a Bill of Rights in a unitary South Africa is passed by Parliament, signaling the end of apartheid and the birth of the new South Africa.

ANC wins the country’s first non-racial election.
Nelson Mandela inaugurated as SA’s first democratically-elected president on May 10. South Africa joins the OAU and the NAM. UN Security Council lifts arms embargo.
South Africa rejoins Commonwealth; reclaims its seat in the UN General Assembly.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission appointed under the chairmanship of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Final constitution is signed into law by President Mandela.

FW De Klerk resigns NP leadership and retires from active politics.
Nelson Mandela steps down as ANC president and is succeeded by Thabo Mbeki.

Nelson Mandela turns 80, marries Graca Machel, widow of former Mozambican president.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission files its report.
World’s earliest human skeleton - approx 3.5million years old - discovered at Sterkfontein Caves.

ANC wins overwhelming victory in second democratic election. Thabo Mbeki succeeds Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa.

New Africa Initiative (forerunner of NEPAD) adopted by OAU Summit.
Democratic Alliance falls apart. Old enemies ANC and NNP form alliance - and take power in Western Cape.

African Union (AU) formed in Durban to replace OAU.
World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg.

Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report formally handed to President Mbeki. First floor-crossing window opens, allowing national and provincial parliamentarians to change parties. As a result, ANC gains two-thirds majority in National Legislature.
ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu dies.
JM Coetzee awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature (see Famous South Africans).
Government announces comprehensive new plan to combat HIV/Aids.

President Mbeki and seven cabinet ministers visit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to celebrate success of SA mediation.
Charlize Theron wins Oscar for best actress (see Famous South Africans).
ANC wins elections by convincing margin, and gains over two-thirds of seats in the National Assembly. Thabo Mbeki inaugurated as president for second five-year term.