History Matters

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the United Democratic Front (UDF), SAHO is pleased to share some rare, historic footage shot at the National UDF launch event in Mitchells Plain on 20 August 1983. Rev. Frank Chikane gives keynote address at the launch and outlines the necessity for a united front [...]

Gabon gains independence from France – 17 August 1960 Luc Montagnier, virologist who discovered HIV, is born – 18 August 1932 The Chinese Community in South Africa is granted ‘White’ status – 19 August 1970 The UDF is launched – 20 August 1983 Nat Turner leads a slave insurrection in Southampton, Virginia, USA – 21 [...]

This Week in History 10 August 1783 – Louis Trichardt, Voortrekker leader, is born near Oudtshoorn 225 years ago. read more 11 August 1963 – Four political detainees escape from Pretoria Central prison in one of the most dramatic escapes in SA history read more 12 August 1883 – The last Quagga dies in captivity [...]

Jean van der Poel, Schweizer-Reneke, Koeberg, museum service, The Beatles, Afrikaans poetry, National Union of Mineworkers …

This Week in History: 27 July – 2 August …

20 July 1969: South African invention lands on the moon! 21 July 1999: South African athlete, Motsoeneng, admits to cheating in Comrades Marathon. 22 July 1988: Senior UDF leaders released from detention for being part of the Mandela Birthday Celebrations Committee 23 July 1986: The obligatory carrying of passbooks by Blacks in SA is lifted. [...]

This Week in History 13 – 19 July

29 June 1938: Artist, Wolf Kibel, dies. 30 June 1921: The South African Reserve Bank is established. 1 July 1938: 70 years ago the South African Press Association was established. 2 July 1839: African slaves aboard Amistad revolt. 3 July 1992: SA’s Fifa membership reinstated after 31 years. 4 July 1879: The Anglo-Zulu battle of [...]

8 June 1860: Street post boxes are introduced in the Cape. 9 June 1967: Bill passed making military service compulsory for White men. 10 June 1906: Chief Bambatha is killed and his men are defeated at a battle at Mome Gorge during the Bambatha Rebellion 11 June 1988: the British Anti-Apartheid Movement holds rock concert [...]