History Matters

Mac Maharaj: In Confidence Published:Jul 11, 2009 Sunday Times What is worrying today is the heightening race consciousness and dissatisfaction. There seems to be increasing racial polarisation July 18 — the 91st birthday of Nelson Mandela — marks the first international Mandela Day as an occasion when each of us takes a step, through some [...]

SACP Press Statement Malesela Maleka, 24 May 2009 The SACP Central Committee met in Johannesburg on the 22nd and 23rd May 2009.This was the first plenary CC meeting after the April 22nd elections, and the Political and Organisational Reports and ensuing discussion devoted considerable time to assessing the election campaign and the way forward. The [...]

Zweli Mkhize business day 23 April 2009 WHEN some members of the African National Congress (ANC) stood by party president Jacob Zuma, what did they see that others did not see? Interesting questions from the media have been raised, suggesting that the withdrawal of the charges leaves a cloud over Zuma’s head. The ANC has [...]

Nomfundo Xulu Published:Times Jan 29, 2009 THOUGH the history of South Africa has always been fascinating, some elements do not make sense because every historian has a different story to tell. One such historical era involves the respected and feared Shaka Zulu. While Zulu people usually sing his praises and say he was the saviour [...]

ANC PRESS RELEASE ANC urges public debate on a Roadmap for Education 16 November 2008 Since April 2007, the ANC Health and Education Committee has been involved in a major policy review of education, implementing the resolutions of the ANC’s 52nd National Conference, held in December 2007. The conference declared education and health major priorities [...]

16 November 1930 – Chinua Achebe, Nigerian (Igbo) novelist, whose first novel Things Fall Apart was published in 1958, is born 17 November 1977 – Egyptian President Sadat formally accepts an invitation to visit Israel 18 November 1932 – Amy Johnson lands in Cape Town, beating the existing record flight time from London by over [...]

26 October 1939 – Karel Schoeman, well-known South African author and recipient of several awards, is born 27 October 1808 – Slave rebellion at the Cape led by Louis of Mauritius. Over 300 slaves and Khoi Khoi servants from outlying farms marched on Cape Town demanding their freedom 28 October 1997 – Forces loyal to [...]

South African History Online has put together a special feature to celebrate MaSisulu’s 90th birthday and to thank her for being a ‘mother to the nation’. The feature includes a detailed biography, picture gallery, and an archive of speeches and letters. You can also send a birthday wish to MaSisulu. Visit the feature here. The [...]

The Albert Luthuli Young Historians competition is an annual oral history competition that invites grade 10 and 11 learners from around the country to submit their oral research projects into competition for the prestigious Albert Luthuli Young Historian’s Prize. This year learners could submit projects in one of the following categories: Learners will be required [...]