Timeline of South African Apartheid


1841

DavidLivingstone went to Africa to preach the gospel, he was convincedthat only British government was strong enough to end the slavetrade.

1869

French built a canal across the Isthmus of the Suez.

1872

In orderto incourage trade and exploration, Henry Stanley toldManchester business leaders. "There are 40 million people beyond theCongo".

1875

Europeans c! ontr olled less than 10 percent of the continent.

1884 & 1885

European countries met in Berlin to lay down rules for the newcompetition for lands in South Africa.

1900

An agreement was signed that gave British a privileged position inthe British colony of Uganda.

1900

90 percent of Africa was divided into colonies.

1948

The South African government began to limit the freedom of blackAfricans even more when it launched a system of apartheid.

1952

Nelson Mandela and Tambo opens the first black legal firm in SouthAfrica.

1956

Nelson Mandela was charged with high treason and found not guilty.

1959

The parliament passed new laws extending racial segregation bycreating separate bantustans, or homelands, for South Africa's majorblack groups.

1960

Black protests against apartheid reached a pea! k wh en in anincident called sharpeville massacre, police killed 69 people.

1962

Nelson Mandela was arrested & sentenced to life imprisonment

1965

Rhodesia gained its independence. Only whites were represented inthe new government.

1974

Because of apartheid the country was expelled from united nations.

1976

More than 600 students were killed in Soweto and Sharpeville.

1977

The leader of the protests, Steve Biko, was killed in policecustody.

1980

Zimbabwe gains independence. After, sporadic outbursts ofviolence.

1981

The Dumbutshena Report is commissioned by the government toinvestigate events surrounding the Entumbane uprising

1982

CCJP sends a confidential report to the prime minister expressingconcern at army excesses. Government reinstates the Indemnity andCompensation Bill first us! ed in 1975, granting immunity fromprosecution to government a gencies.

1983

The government allows farmers to re-arm, to protect themselvesfrom dissidents.

1984

It is declared that since 1983, dissidents have murdered 120,mutilated 25, raped 47, and committed 284 robberies.

1986

ZIPRA commanders in jail for 4 years are released.

1987

It is announced at a rally in Bulawayo that Unity is imminent.

1988

An Amnesty is announced for all dissidents, and 122 surrender.

1990

The state of Emergency is not renewed.

1990

De Klerk lifted the ban outlawing theAfrican National Congress(ANC).

1990

De Klerk frees Mandela from prison.

1991

Nelson Mandela became President of theANC

1991

International Olympics Committee lifted a 21 year ban barringSouth African athletes from Olympic Games.

1994

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as President of SouthAfrica.