South Africa

South Africa: Time Line

1886	Discovery of gold in South Africa causes the British to fight with the Boers for control of the area.
1902	The Boers are persuaded by African volunteers to give up the fight against Britain for control of south Africa.
1910	Due to the Boer War, Britain gains control of South Africa, though it gives dominion status back to the Boers. South Africa becomes a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth.
1912	The South African National Congress is formed. It aims to champion the cause of Africans.
1913	Natives Land Act of 1913 passes. This act prevented Africans from acquiring lands outside of their own areas.
1927	J.T. Gumede and La Guma of South Africa attended a congress in Brussels aimed against Imperialism.
1956	Mass arrests were made for treason in South Africa.
1958	A conference of Independent African States condemned white rule in South Africa.
1960	British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan visited South Africa.
1960	Sharpeville Shootings: A crowd of 20,000 Africans gathered to demonstrate against the pass laws. After being buzzed by jet planes, they began to throw stones. The police wounded hundreds and killed 75.
1960	A special election in South Africa decides to form a republic.
1961	South Africa becomes a republic outside of the British Commonwealth.
1962	The UN condemned apartheid and recommends its members to break relations with South Africa.
1963	UN Security Council votes for a partial arms ban on South Africa.
1966	UN votes to end South Africa's mandate over West Africa.
1967	South Africa sets up a trade agreement with Malawi.
1989-90	Boer government conciliates the black majority to gain international respectability. President Frederik W. DeKlerk abolished apartheid restrictions and released Nelson Mandela from prison. DeKlerk also negotiated over a new constitution to bring South African blacks to power.

South Africa: Fact Sheet

Cape Agulhas, in South Africa, is the southernmost tip of the continent.
More than half of the 4,500,000 whites of European descent living in Africa are located in South Africa.
In South Africa, the people of Dutch descent are called Afrikaners.
Many of South Africa's political and social problems stem from the fact that a large native majority is ruled by a small white minority. (See population graph below)

South Africa is considered the most industrialized of all African nations.
South Africa produces more gold than any other nation in the world.
South Africa provides the best educational facilities of African nations south of the Sahara.
The "pass system" were laws that required coloreds to carry a card at all times, permitting them to live or work in certain places, or to be out after curfew.
South Africa is said to have succeeded as a republic because of its strong economic activity, both under and away from British rule. However, economic sanctions placed on it in the 1960's and 70's did slow their economic growth.
During the years 1960-63 South Africa's per capita income was over $400, the highest of any nation in Africa, and well above the next highest, which was only at $250.

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