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History |
Both the ANC and the PAC take up anti-pass campaigns.
1960
The government banned the ANC and the PAC, declared a state of emergency and arrested thousands of Congress and PAC activists
1960
Fietas, Johannesburg: Dr. Yusuf Dadoo is exiled.
1960
The number of economically active women in South Africa is at 15.5%
Fatima Meer organizes night vigils against detentions without trial.
Adelaide Tambo leaves South Africa and works as courier for her husband in London.
Detained under State of Emergency:Frances Baard, Hilda Bernstein, Sonia Bunting,Lillian Ngoyi, Annie Silinga, Josie Palmer.
Sarah Carneson goes underground
1960
Extension of University Education Amendment Act No 32:
Amended the extension of University Education Act No 45 of 1959 and the University of Fort Hare Transfer Act No 64 of 1959.
Assent gained: 7 April 1960; commencement date not found.
Repealed by s 21 of the Tertiary Education Act No 66 of 1988.
1960
Proclamation No 400 and Proclamation No 413:
Emergency regulations contained in Proclamations 400 and 413 were issued under pre-union statutes (Dugard 1978: 110). Proclamation 400 was only repealed in 1977 by the Public Security Act No 30.
1960
South African United Front was officially launched in London by ANC, PAC, SAIC and SWANU. (SWAPO accepted membership but withdrew soon after). This followed consultations since April 1960 in Dar es Salaam and Accra between ANC and PAC and at Conference of Independent African States in Addis Ababa in June 1960.
1960
(edit) Sometimes called the 10th Xhosa war, the political campaigns of the popular Black resistance in the 1960's were proof that the British conquest (upon which the White minority state was built) was not viewed as irreversible.
1960
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) expels South Africa.
South African Women's football starts.
1960
1 January
Minister of Bantu Education assumed control of University College of Fort Hare.
African students prohibited from attending formerly "open universities" excepting the University of South Africa and Natal Medical School.
1960
24 January
Rioting by Africans in Cato Manor (Durban) resulted in the death of nine policemen. Commissioner of Police subsequently testified that South African police were meeting increasing hostility from Africans in the routine performance of their duties. (New York Times)
1960
February
The Pondoland rebellion: an uprising of peasants in the Transkei.
1960
February
Protests and open rebellion break out in Pondoland.
1960
February
Albert Luthuli warns White South Africans that resentment among Africans is building up.
1960
3 February
British Prime Minister MacMillan stated before the South African Parliament that Britain could not support South Africa's racial policies.
1960
6 February - 12 February
Sisulu attends a secret meeting of the ANC at Macosa house, Johannesburg, with Ahmed Kathrada.
1960
March
The African National Congress announces that its anti-pass campaign will start at the end of March 1960.
1960
March - April
Nation-wide strikes in response to banning of the ANC.
1960
20 March
Rioting and arson in Pondoland.
1960
21 March
At Sharpeville the police opened fire on the unarmed and peaceful crowd, killing 69 and wounding 186.
1960
21 March
Sharpeville Massacre: In the wake of Sharpeville, African students loyal to the African National Congress (ANC) establish the African Students' Association (ASA), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) sympathizing students form the African Students' Union of South Africa (ASUSA), and those loyal to the Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM) form other organisations in the Cape and Natal. However none of these organisations survive long, since identification with banned movements is hazardous, and university authorities are hostile to student political groups. Non-cooperation between peers in different student political groupings makes matters worse.
1960
21 March
Police shooting at peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville against pass laws for Africans: 69 men, women and children were killed and about 200 wounded.
1960
21 March
(edit) The PAC mounts its anti-pass campaign. Police at Sharpeville open fire on peaceful protesters killing sixty-nine and injuring 180. In the Western Cape, police open fire and kill two people. The PAC retaliates by calling a work stoppage that lasts for two weeks. Ninety five percent of the workforce goes on strike. PAC youth take control of the Cape Town townships of Langa and Nyanga, setting up roadblocks and distributing food. 30 000 residents of Black townships of Cape Town march on Caledon Square, led by Philip Kgosana, but the march is thwarted when Kgosana is tricked into calling it off on the promise of top level negotiators. The state calls in the military and the marines, the townships are cordoned off and the situation is brought under Nationalist control. A state of emergency is declared, thousands are arrested throughout the country and the ANC and PAC are declared banned organisations. Mandela is among those imprisoned.
1960
21 March
Sharpeville massacre.
1960
22 March
Verwoerd told the South African Parliament that the riots could in no way be described as a reaction against the Government's apartheid policy and had nothing to do with passes. Such disturbances were a periodic phenomenon and had nothing to do with poverty and low wages. He further stated that his first duty was to thank the South African police for the courageous, efficient manner in which they had handled the situation. The police at times found it difficult to control themselves, but they had done so in an exemplary manner.
He announced that 132 members of the Pan Africanist Congress, including Robert Sobukwe, were being held in Johannesburg and would be charged with sedition.
1960
23 March
Robert Sobukwe, President of the Pan Africanist Congress, Kitchener Leballo, its national secretary, and 11 others charged with incitement to riot.
1960
24 March
The Government banned all public meetings of more than 12 persons until June 30 in an effort to disrupt the wave of protests against the pass laws.
1960
25 March
Representatives of 29 African and Asian members requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider "the situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa".
1960
27 March
The Commissioner of Police announced that the pass laws were to be suspended until a normal situation had been restored, an occasion taken by Chief A. J. Luthuli to burn his pass. The Police Commissioner said that the pass laws were not being suspended to appease the unfounded protests of Bantu agitators, but because the jails could no longer accommodate the many Africans who presented themselves for arrest by openly violating the pass laws. (London Times)
1960
28 March
ANC called a nation-wide stay-at-home in protest at the Sharpeville massacre. Pass books were burned in countless bonfires.
O. R. Tambo left South Africa illegally on the instruction of the ANC to carry on work outside the country.
1960
28 March
Albert Luthuli publicly burns his pass.
1960
30 March
The Security Council began consideration of the situation in South Africa, under an agenda item entitled: "The situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa".
1960
30 March
At the request of 29 African and Asian Member States, the Security Council began consideration of the situation in South Africa, under an agenda item entitled: "The situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa".
Regime declared a State of Emergency and arrested over 2,000 people.
At lunchtime, 30,000 Africans from surrounding African townships marched into the centre of Cape Town and demanded an interview with the Minister of Justice. The Chief of Security promised to approach the Minister and the crowds marched back out of Cape Town.
Immediately after they had dispersed, Erasmus announced in Parliament that a a state of emergency had been declared in 80 of the 300 magisterial districts, including every important urban area, and that 18 regiments of the Citizens Force had been mobilised to supplement the police, army and air force.
1960
30 March
Albert Luthuli is detained and held until August, when he is tried and sentenced to a fine of 100 pounds and a six-month suspended sentence.
1960
30 March
Unlawful Organizations Act used to ban the African National Congress (ANC) and Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC).
1960
31 March
Four more regiments of the Citizens Force were mobilised. Legal authorities in Johannesburg stated the emergency regulations created a situation of virtual martial law.
One of the basic reasons for declaring the Emergency was to obtain a return to work by the African population. Under the emergency regulations, refusal to work was punishable by a fine of $1400, five years in prison, or both.
1960
1 April
The Security Council, in its first action on South Africa, adopted resolution 134 (1960) deploring the policies and actions of the South African Government which had given rise to a loss of life of so many Africans and led to international friction, and called upon that Government to abandon its policies of apartheid and racial discrimination. It requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the South African Government, "to make such arrangements as would adequately help in upholding the purposes and principles of the [United Nations] Charter." The vote on the resolution was 9 in favour and 2 abstentions (France and the United Kingdom).
1960
1 April
Security Council, in its first action on South Africa, adopted resolution 134 (1960) deploring the policies and actions of the South African Government which had given rise to a loss of life of so many Africans and led to international friction, and called upon that Government to abandon its policies of apartheid and racial discrimination.
Proclamation of a State of Emergency in thirty-one more magisterial districts.
Ten thousand Indians and two thousand Coloureds ordered to vacate Pietermaritzburg.
1960
2 April
The Bishop of Johannesburg, Ambrose Reeves, took refuge in Swaziland following continued massive arrests of persons of all races.
The New York Times stated that the most conservative official estimates placed the membership of the ANC and PAC at 70,000.
1960
6 April
The pass system was revived.
1960
7 April
Unlawful Organisations Act No 34:
Provided for organisations threatening public order or the safety of the public to be declared unlawful. The ANC and the PAC were immediately declared unlawful.
Commenced: 7 April 1960
Repealed by s 73 of the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982.
1960
7 April
The Extension of University Education Amendment Act, Act No 34, bans Black students from attending white universities.
1960
8 April
The African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) are banned in South Africa.
1960
8 April
Passage of the Unlawful Organisations Act.
Banning of the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress. Justice Minister Erasmus announced the banning of ANC and PAC for a minimum of one year and stated that there could be no political organisation among urbanised Africans.
1960
9 April
Attempted assassination of Prime Minister Verwoerd in Johannesburg resulted in serious wounds in the face. His assailant, a white farmer, was promptly described as mentally unstable.
1960
19 April
First interim report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold, pursuant to the Security Council resolution of 1 April.
1960
4 May
Robert Sobukwe, President of the Pan Africanist Congress, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for incitement of Africans to urge the repeal of pass laws. He refused to appeal, as he had refused the aid of an attorney, on the grounds that the court had no jurisdiction over him because it could not be considered either a court of law or a court of justice.
1960
6 May
The Government stated in Parliament that 18,000 persons had been arrested and detained since the proclamation of the emergency.
1960
25 May
Tribal clashes continued to take place in Pondoland (Transkei) between supporters and opponents of the African territorial authorities. 29 Africans were killed, 50 wounded.
1960
June - July
Boycotts of South African goods were being implemented in many countries: labour organisations refused to service South African cargoes
1960
June
Representation of Africans in Parliament ended.
1960
June - May
Boycotts of South African goods were being implemented in many countries. Labour organisations refused to service South African cargoes.
1960
15 June - 24 June
Second Conference of Independent African States, at Addis Ababa, called for sanctions against South Africa.
1960
15 June - 24 June
Second Conference of Independent African States, at Addis Ababa, called for sanctions against South Africa.
1960
14 July
Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), announced its functioning as the SACP, operating underground, after its dissolution in 1950.
1960
31 August
The state of emergency was lifted. 10,500 opponents of the Government were still being detained.
1960
5 October
In a referendum limited to white voters only, 52 percent of South African voters favoured the establishment of a Republic.
White South Africans voted that South Africa should become a Republic (850,000 in favour; 776,000 opposed). Prime Minister Verwoerd subsequently told British Prime Minister MacMillan that South Africa wanted to remain in the Commonwealth.
1960
11 October
Second interim report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the Security Council resolution of 1 April.
1960
23 November
A police convoy was ambushed in Pondoland.
1960
26 November
A week of violence continued in which it was officially estimated that 200 huts had been burned. The Botha Sigcau High School was closed following threats by Pondo who objected to government education.
1960
30 November
The Government closed all lines of communication with five districts in Pondoland and reintroduced emergency regulations for the second time in eight months.
Paramount Chief of the Zulus, Cyprian Bhepezulu, and 12 Kraals occupied by his followers were attacked by hostile Africans for their support of the Government's "betterment schemes".
1961
Death of Alice Sisulu, Walter's mother.
1961
All-in African Conference held in Pietermaritzburg. Calls for a national convention are made, so as to decide on a new constitution.
1961
The ANC took up arms against the South African Government, goes underground and continues to operate secretly.
1961
Fietas, Johannesburg: The Group Areas Development Board begins to provide public housing in Lenasia.
1961
Urban Blacks Council Act No 79:
The first provision for black ‘self-government’ in the urban townships. Assent gained: 30 June 1961; commencement date not found.
Repealed by s 14 of the Community Councils Act No 125 of 1977.
1961
When Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) came into being Phyllis’ work becomes all the more crucial. She joins the CPSA
1961
(edit) The ANC and the PAC establish religious and welfare front organisations. ANC and SACP members set up the armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe. There is a strict undertaking that life will not be endangered, only installations will be attacked. A central high command, with regional commands are set up under the direction of Mandela. The first explosion occurs on 16 December in Durban, followed by explosions in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The president general of the ANC, Chief Albert Luthuli is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize a week before the first explosion.
Zindziswa is born to Nelson and Winnie Mandela.
1961
FIFA suspends the Football Association of South Africa (FASA).
FASA includes some Black players within its structure. African, Indian, and Coloured officials in the anti-apartheid South African Soccer Federation (SASF) form the anti-racist professional South African Soccer League (SASL). SABFA (the South African Bantu Football Association) launches a National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), which shuts down the following year.
1961
Port Elizabeth Bus Boycott.
1961
6 January - 12 January
The United Nations Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, visited South Africa. He reported to the Security Council on 23 January that in the course of his discussions with the Prime Minister of South Africa, "so far no mutually acceptable arrangement" had been found on racial policies in South Africa.
1961
23 January
Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold, on implementation of Security Council resolution of 1 April 1960. He stated that in the course of his discussions with the Prime Minister of South Africa, "so far no mutually acceptable arrangement" had been found on racial policies in South Africa.
1961
27 January
Justice Minister Erasmus told the Assembly that during the recent disturbances (November-December 1962) in Pondoland, 4,769 Africans, 2 Europeans and 2 others had been taken into custody.
1961
February
Delegations of South Africa United Front visited capitals of Commonwealth States to lobby for expulsion of South Africa.
1961
26 February
Announcement of the continuation of current defence relations with the United Kingdom.
1961
March
The accused in the Treason trial are found not guilty, after a four year long trial.
1961
March - April
Debate on apartheid at the resumed 15th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. African and Asian delegations pressed for sanctions against South Africa.
The representative of UK said on 5 April that while the importance attached by UK to Article 2 (7) of the UN Charter remained undiminished, it regarded apartheid as being now so exceptional as to be sui generis, and his delegation felt able to consider proposals on the question of the merits.
The Special Political Committee recommended two draft resolutions: an African resolution calling for specific measures and another by 5 Asian countries asking all States to consider separate and collective action as was open to them. In the Plenary on 13 April, the key paragraph of the African draft was voted separately and received 42 votes in favour and 34 against, with 21 abstentions, and was not adopted. The sponsors then withdrew the resolution.
The Asian draft - which condemned apartheid a "reprehensible and repugnant to human dignity" - was adopted by 96 to 1, with 0 abstentions as resolution 1598 (XV). Only Portugal voted against. The United Kingdom voted for a resolution against apartheid for the first time. (India, sponsor of this resolution, voted in favour of both drafts).
1961
March
The remaining 30 accused in the Treason Trial are acquitted of charges of treason
1961
2 March
The Bishop of Johannesburg, Ambrose Reeves, resigned after having been deported from South Africa in September 1960 for his strong condemnation of the Government, particularly at the time of Sharpeville and the subsequent emergency. Reeves' action was vigorously supported by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Joost de Blank.
1961
12 March
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions submitted a memorandum to the UN General Assembly calling for economic sanctions against South Africa.
1961
15 March
Following strong opposition in the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, Dr. Verwoerd announced the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth "in the interests of South Africa's honour and dignity".
1961
15 March
Following three days of bitter opposition in the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, Dr. Verwoerd announced the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth "in the interests of South Africa's honour and dignity", and provoked a strong reaction amongst the English-speaking white population. Dismay was voiced by the latter and by leaders of the industrial community.
Sections of the Afrikaaner population said the country was better off outside "the Kaffir Commonwealth".
Albert Luthuli, former President of the banned African National Congress, said in regard to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' strong opposition to apartheid: "I am overjoyed".
The Synod of 350 delegates of the Dutch Reformed Church endorsed the Church's current policy of racial separation. The Synod expressed support for the Government's policy of apartheid and asked that its implementation be expedited. The Church stated its conviction that its work would be handicapped if it allowed itself to be diverted from its proven way for the sake of world opinion.
Professor A.S. Geyser, who had queried whether Article 3 of the Church's principles, which discriminates between white and black, was in line with the Scriptures, was bitterly attacked. The Chairman of the Synod condemned his attitude as arrogant.
1961
15 March
Prime Minister H.F. Verwoerd withdraws South Africa’s application for continued membership of the Commonwealth following bitter opposition in the Conference of Commonwealth Ministers.
1961
25 March - 26 March
All-in African Conference - with 1,400 delegates from 145 religious, cultural, peasant, intellectual and political bodies - held in Pietermaritzburg. Conference called for a national convention of elected representatives of all adult men and women, without regard to race, colour or creed. The Republic, it declared, "rests on force to perpetuate the tyranny of minority". If the Government ignored the demand for a national convention, the people were called upon to organise mass demonstrations on the eve of the proclamation of the Republic. Mr. Nelson Mandela was appointed secretary of the National Action Council.
1961
29 March
Sisulu and other accused were found not guilty on a charge of High Treason, in the special court at Pretoria, and released.
1961
29 March
Twenty-eight persons (22 Africans, 3 Indians, 2 Whites, 1 Coloured) on trial for high treason since 1956 were found not guilty and discharged. The three judges unanimously said there was no evidence of communist infiltration into the African National Congress. "On the evidence presented and our findings, it is impossible for this court to come to the conclusion that the ANC had acquired or adopted a policy to overthrow the State by violence".
Hours later the Government retaliated by renewing the ban on the ANC and PAC for another year, placing a nation-wide ban on all meetings, and breaking up the African conference in Pietermaritzburg.
1961
29 March
Twenty-eight persons, including Albert Luthuli and Walter Sisulu, on trial for high treason since 1956, are found not guilty and discharged. The three judges of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg unanimously find there is no evidence of communist infiltration into the African National Congress. Hours later the Government retaliates by renewing the ban on the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress for another year.
1961
30 March
African and Asian delegations at the UN pressed for sanctions against South Africa.
1961
April
Conference of the Nationalist Organisations of the Portuguese Territories (CONCP) founded in Rabat.
1961
1 April
Robben Island turned into a prison.
1961
5 April
United Kingdom Government announced support for a UN General Assembly resolution against apartheid for the first time.
1961
6 April
Renewal of the ban on the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress.
1961
13 April
The UN General Assembly condemned South African racial discrimination as "reprehensible and repugnant to human dignity" by vote of 95-1.
1961
27 April
Walter Sisulu and his home at Orlando West are searched and various documents are seized, in which blacks are instigated to strike on 29, 30 and 31 May 1961. A case in compliance with Section 2 (A) of the Act 8/1953 (Instigation) is made against him.
1961
3 May
All police leave was cancelled in anticipation of expected strikes at the end of May.
Defence legislation amended to enable use of the armed forces for the suppression of internal disorder and reorganise the police so as to co-ordinate its command headquarters with that of the military.
Nationalist Party won three by-elections with a larger majority than in the 1958 general election.
1961
12 May
The General Law Amendment Act provided for detention of persons for twelve days without bail, trial without jury in cases of murder and arson, and resting the proof of innocence rests on the accused.
1961
19 May
General Law Amendment Act No 39:
Provided for twelve-day detention. Amended:
• the Arms and Ammunition Act 28 of 1937 regarding the issuing and ancellation of firearm licences;
•the 1955 Criminal Procedure Act regarding powers of the Attorney-Generalto prohibit release on bail or otherwise; and
•the 1956 Riotous Assemblies Act.
Commenced: 19 May 1961
Sections 6 and 7 repealed by the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982.
1961
29 May
Nation-wide general strike. It was reported that only 10-15 percent of the labour force struck work. In Johannesburg, however, there was high African absenteeism. More than 40 per cent of the Rand's huge labour force stayed at home. Fifty per cent of the Asians were out at Durban and 25 per cent of the Cape Coloured.
A split developed within the African leadership at the last moment. Nelson Mandela and the ANC had taken the initiative in organising the strike, but leaders of the banned PAC called on non-Whites to ignore it.
1961
29 May - 31 May
National Stay-At-Home.
1961
30 May
The union of South Africa officially ceases to exist, at midnight
1961
31 May
South Africa is declared a republic, independent and outside the commonwealth. C.R. Swart, the former Governor-General, is sworn in as the first President of the Republic of South Africa.
1961
31 May
South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth and proclaimed itself a Republic.
1961
31 May
Country placed on a war footing to smash the nation-wide strike called to protest against the establishment of the so-called Republic of South Africa.
South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth and proclaimed itself a Republic.
1961
4 June
The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hassim Jawad, announces that Iraq will not recognize the government of South Africa because of its apartheid policies.
1961
14 June
South Africa:Signs agreement with Great Britain in regard to guaranteed preferences on the British market.
1961
21 June
South Africa:Signs multilateral protocol on international civil aviation.
1961
26 June
South Africa:Signs International Labour Organisation Convention, no. 116, concerning the partial revision of conventions adopted.
1961
26 June
While underground, Nelson Mandela writes a letter in which he states the famous words: "The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days."
1961
27 June
The government of Ghana imposes a total ban on the export of all Ghanian produce to South Africa and South West Africa, as a protest against apartheid.
1961
29 June
During its plenary conference in Geneva, the International Labour Organisation adopts a Nigeria resolution condemning the racial policies of the South African government and calling for South Africa’s withdrawal from the ILO, by 163 votes to nil, with 29 abstentions. The South African Government has no intention of acceding to this request.
1961
29 June
The International Labour Organisation voted 163-O-89 in favour of a resolution calling for South Africa's withdrawal from the Organisation.
1961
29 June
The International Labour Organisation voted 163-O-89 in favour of a resolution calling for South Africa's withdrawal from the Organisation.
1961
30 June
The ‘Treason Trial’ ends. The total cost of the four-year trial is estimated at R1 million.
1961
4 July
A United Nations eight-man committee with instructions to investigate conditions in the Mandated Territory of South Africa, is refused permission to enter the Territory. The minister for External Affairs, Eric Louw announces that if members of the committee try to enter they will be detained and sent back and that this will involve the United Nations in an act of aggression.
1961
4 July
The Sierra Leone government imposes a ban on all trade and commerce with South Africa, as a protest against its apartheid policies. Ports and airports will be closed to all South African ships and aircraft; no white South Africans will be allowed to enter Sierra Leone; already in the country will not be granted re-entry visas.
1961
5 July
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announces it has entered into a stand-by agreement with South Africa under which South Africa may draw up to the equivalent of $75, 000,000 in a various currencies, during the next twelve months.
1961
5 July
Indemnity Act No 61:
With retrospective effect from 21 March 1960. This Act indemnifies the government, its officers and all other persons acting under their authority in respect of acts done, orders given or information provided in good faith for the prevention or suppression of internal disorder, the maintenance or restoration of good order, public safety or essential services, or the preservation of life or property in any part of the Republic.
Commenced: 5 July 1961
1961
8 July - 10 July
Malmesbury Convention of Coloured leaders.
1961
15 July
H.A. Fagan, former Chief Justice and Minister of Native Affairs, agrees to become leader of the National Union. Its founder, J. du P. (Jappie) Basson will remain party chairman.
1961
22 July
Sisulu, together with Moses Kotane and P.P.D. Nokwe, travel through the country to rally support.
1961
24 July
South Africa:Signs multilateral agreement under article 18 of the Antarctic Treaty.
1961
August
Sisulu visits Cape Town and organised for the extension to the ANC Youth League.
1961
August
Fietas, Johannesburg: The Group Areas Development Board is replaced by the Department of Community Development.
1961
1 August
The Prime Minister announces that there will be a general election on 18 October1961. The necessary proclamation will be issued on 28 August 1961, nomination day 15 September 1961, and the House of Assembly will be dissolved.
1961
2 August
A re-organisation of the Cabinet is announced by Dr. Verwoerd.
1961
4 August
South Africa:Signs treaty with France amending the air agreement of 17 September 1954.
1961
15 August
An electoral alliance is announced between the United Party (UP) and the National Union (NU) in Bloemfontein, in a form of a nine-point pact determining the basic objectives.
1961
26 August
A.K. Ganyile, a Pondo leader and refugee in Basutoland is kidnapped with two companions by six South African policemen, taken across the border into South Africa, and imprisoned in the Transkei.
1961
September
Government established a Department of Indian Affairs and recognised that "the Indians are a permanent part of the population of this country".
1961
1 September
Establishment of the Department of Indian Affairs.
1961
18 September
South Africa:Signs multilateral agreement on aviation.
1961
October
Albert Luthuli is informed that he has been awarded the 1960 Nobel Prize for Peace for his “fight against racial discrimination” through non-violent means. Luthuli is the first African to win the prize.
1961
4 October
Separate elections for the four Cape Coloured representative seats are held. They are won by Independents with the United Party support.
1961
6 October
Sisulu is sentenced to R30-00 or 90 days imprisonment because he is not in possession of a reference book.
1961
8 October
The Nationalist Party won the general election and showed a gain of 10 per cent in its popular vote. In addition, it increased its Parliamentary majority by three seats. The results were:
Nationalist Party - 105 seats
United Party - 49 seats
Progressive Party - 1 seat
National Union - 1 seat
First case of sabotage against Government installations near Johannesburg.
1961
11 October
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty amending the Phyto Sanitary Convention of 1954.
The Foreign Minister, E. Louw, defends South Africa’s apartheid policy in the United Nations, against African criticism. On the same day the Assembly adopts a Liberian censure motion on South Africa, with sixty-seven in favour, one against, twenty abstaining, nine not participating in the vote (including the Britain and the United States) and three absent.
1961
11 October
The General Assembly decided - by 67 votes to 1, with 20 abstentions - to censure the Foreign Minister of South Africa for his offensive speech in the General Assembly. Only South Africa voted against.
1961
11 October
The General Assembly decided - by 67 votes to 1, with 20 abstentions - to censure the Foreign Minister of South Africa for his offensive speech in the General Assembly. Only South Africa voted against.
1961
13 October
The Minister of Justice issued the first house arrest order.
1961
17 October
Sisulu is arrested on a charge that Sisulu does not own a reference book. Sisuslu is confined to his house for 5 years.
1961
18 October
The government increases its strength in the elections. The final results are: Nationalists 105, United Party 49, Progressive Party 1, and National Union 1.
1961
18 October
General Election. Nationalists increased their majority in Parliament and obtained majority of total vote. Progressives reduced from 11 seats to one (Helen Suzman).
1961
20 October
The Minister of Justice banned all meetings to protest against arrest, trial or conviction of any person.
1961
23 October - 26 October
The Special Political Committee in the United Nations, with South Africa participating, debates South Africa’s racial policies.
1961
25 October
South Africa:Signs treaty with Italy regarding air services.
1961
26 October
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty for protection of performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organizations.
1961
28 October
Sisulu attends a gathering in the form of a party at the house of Lilian Ngoyi. He is, together with Lilian Ngoyi and Alfred Nzo, arrested and charged for inter alia 9(1) of Act 44 of 1950. The case is later withdrawn because sufficient evidence could not be supplied to prove that the party was in fact a meeting.
1961
29 October
Forty-five ANC leaders met in Lobatsi, Bechuanaland, to plan increased political activity against the Government of South Africa.
1961
14 November
The British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, informs the House of Commons that responsibility for the conduct of Britain’s relations with South Africa will be transferred from the Commonwealth Relations Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, from 1 December 1961. Sir John Maud will continue to hold the posts of Ambassador to South Africa and of High.
1961
28 November
The United Nations General Assembly adopts an eight nation resolution, by seventy-two votes to two, with twenty-seven abstentions, calling on all member states to take such separate and collective action, as is open to them to bring about the abandonment of South Africa’s racial policies. It did not specifically call for sanctions.
1961
December
Handbills are distributed by the organisation Umkhonto we Sizwe (the spear of the nation) announcing new methods to be adopted in the struggle for freedom and democracy.
1961
1 December
South Africa:Signs agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
1961
5 December
Albert Luthuli and his wife boards a plane in Durban to be flown to Oslo via London to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for 1960.
1961
10 December
Wearing a Chief’s ceremonial garb, Albert Luthuli receives the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of King Olaf of Norway, many diplomats and other dignitaries and is given a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, Albert Luthuli declares: “I regard this as a tribute to Mother Africa, to all peoples, whatever their race, colour or creed”.
1961
11 December
Chief Albert Luthuli receives the Nobel Prize in Oslo.
1961
11 December
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty extending the declaration on the provisional accession of Tunisia to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1961
11 December
Albert Luthuli is awarded the Nobel Peace prize in Oslo. The government issues a special ten-day passport, with restrictions on his movements and public appearances.
1961
11 December
Albert Luthuli delivers his Nobel Peace Prize address entitled ‘Africa and Freedom’ and pays tribute to the late Dag Hammarskjöld, “a distinguished world citizen and fighter for peace,” to whom the Nobel Peace Prize for 1961 was awarded. At the conclusion of his address, Albert Luthuli sings the liberation anthem Nkosi Sikel’I iAfrika and all the assembly soon joins in singing or humming the anthem.
1961
12 December
Dr. Verwoerd tells the union Council of Coloured Affairs that the Council will be transformed into a coloured ‘Parliament’ with a ‘Cabinet’, initially of four members, within the framework of a ten-year plan for the development towards self-determination of the Cape Coloured population.
1961
16 December
Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) is formed to "hit back by all means within our power in defence of our people, our future and our freedom".
1961
16 December
Five bomb explosions occur in Johannesburg and five others at Port Elizabeth.
1961
16 December
Handbills calling for sabotage were distributed in English and Zulu. During the night a series of explosions were set off, damaging a post office, several African affairs offices and an electric power station near Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
1961
18 December
Three further attempts to sabotage buildings in and near Johannesburg are discovered.
South Africa:Signs treaty with Sweden to further extend the period of validity of traffic rights granted to Scandavian Airlines System.
South Africa:Signs treaty with Norway to further extend the period of validity of traffic rights.
1961
21 December
As a result of investigations into the Port Elizabeth explosions, Security Police arrest and charge Robert H. Strachan with causing malicious damage to property.
1962
The Programme of action: the South African Communist Party adopts “The Road to South African Freedom”.
1962
Fietas, Johannesburg: Until this year there were 177 shops in the area with two mosques, four churches, two cinemas, 4 Islamic schools, 1 Hindu school, 1 Tamil school/temple/hall, 1 Indian girls’ school, 1 ‘coloured’ junior school, 1 ‘coloured’ college, 1 Indian junior school, a communal hall and a number of social clubs. The Queenspark Sports Grounds next to the cemetery on Krause Street was considered part of Fietas. The residential stands in the area had an average of 4 cottages on it.
1962
The Minister of Justice continues issuing a series of house arrest orders confining people to their homes foe a period of five years.
1962
The Minister of Justice continues issuing a series of house arrest orders confining people to their homes foe a period of five years.
1962
Sonia Bunting is placed under house arrest.
Florence Matomela is banned and restricted to Port Elizabeth, where she is subsequently sent to prison for five years for furthering aims of ANC.
Winnie Mandela banned under Suppression of Communism Act, and restricted to Orlando Township.
After ANC is outlawed, Dorothy Nyembe becomes President of Natal Rural Areas Committee and organizes anti-government demonstrations with rural women during the Natal Women’s Revolt.
Lillian Ngoyi is banned and confined to Orlando Township
Cissie Gool receives LLB degree from UCT and is admitted as an advocate to the Supreme Court.
Ruth Mompati goes into exile and becomes secretary and head of the Women’s Section of the ANC in Tanzania.
1962
Anti-Indian Legislation: The Sabotage Bill is tabled.
1962
(edit) There are Poqo uprisings in the Cape resulting in vicious killings, particularly of Whites.
1962
Eleven fans die at Jeppe Station, Johannesburg, following a Moroka Swallows '” Orlando Pirates derby at Natalspruit.
10,000 spectators in Maseru (Lesotho, then Basotholand) watch the Whites-only Germiston Callies defeat the Black Pirates (3-1).
Orlando Pirates Women's Football Club and Mother City Girls are among the first (short-lived) Black women's football teams.
1962
Introduction of the Sabotage Act.
1962
January
Nelson Mandela secretly leaves South Africa to attend a Pan African Freedom Movement conference in Addis Ababa. He travels to other countries to receive military training and then comes back into the country to continue operating underground.
1962
January
(edit) Mandela is smuggled out of the country. He attends the Pan-African Freedom Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which is hosted by Tambo, and addresses the Pan African Emperor Haile Selassie. Mandela canvasses support in north and west African countries, meets Col. Boumedienne of Algeria, commander in chief of the army of National Liberation, and undergoes training in demolition and mortar firing and attends army lectures. He meets Nyerere and Kaunda who later head their states, and Oginga Odinga, the opposition leader in Kenya. He flies to Britain where he meets Hugh Gaitskell and Jo Grimond, Labour and Liberal Party leaders. Winnie Mandela is banned for two years. Mandela returns to South Africa, and is met at the border and driven to Johannesburg. The Congress of Democrats is banned. Mandela visits Luthuli on his return to Johannesburg, disguised as a chauffeur.
1962
13 January
Fietas, Johannesburg: A census is held determining that there were 177 shops in the area.
Population:
Indian – 4125
‘Coloured’ – 501
Malay – 860
Chinese – 59
‘African’ – unknown
1962
17 January
The Department of Justice announces that the charges against A.K. Ganyile have been dropped, the government regrets the incident, Ganyile is released, returns to Basutoland and later claims damages against the Minister of Justice and the policemen concerned.
Leaders of the South African National Convention Movement, a coloured opposition organisation, completely reject Dr. Verwoerd’s plan as offering them ‘sovereignty in no area but subservient in all’.
1962
21 January
The President of the Newspaper Press Union of South Africa, M.V. Jooste, issues the draft of a voluntary Press Code, including proposals for the setting up of a three-man Board of Reference.
1962
23 January
Dr. Verwoerd, announces his plan for the granting of ‘self-rule’ to the Transkei. It is to have its own Parliament and Cabinet, separate citizenship and control over agriculture, education, health, social services and roads with defence, foreign affairs and justice remaining in the hands of the central government in the meantime.
1962
31 January
The government’s proposals for self-government for the Transkei are submitted to the committee of twenty-seven chiefs and headmen appointed by the Transkeian Territory Authority to press its claims.
South Africa:Signs treaty with Luxemborg relating to air services.
1962
1 February
A statement entitled ‘We don’t want crumbs’ appears in New Age. In the statement Albert Luthuli unequivocally rejects the Government’s homelands policy.
1962
7 February
Walter Sisulu and Duma Nokwe go from house to house in Orlando, Johannesburg and rally support amongst the residents against the government's policy in respect of Bantu urban councils.
1962
7 February
Beginning of International Solidarity Campaign.
1962
19 February
The first part of the South African Press Commission’s first report is tabled in parliament by the Minister of the Interior, de Klerk. The report, which has taken eleven years to draw up consists of two volumes totaling 700 pages, with nineteen annexures running to 1,566 pages. It strongly recommends that the South African Press association (SAPA) gives more say in its affairs to the Afrikaans-language press.
1962
20 February
South Africa:Signs treaty amending the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
1962
22 February
South Africa:Signs a parcel post agreement with Canada.
1962
12 March
The defence Minister, J.J. Fouche, outlines the basic principles of South Africa’s defence policy and gives a detailed of measures being taken to build up the Defence Forces and to make South Africa self-supporting in military equipment.
1962
21 March
The minister of finance, Dr. Eben Dönges, introduces a budget of national security with increased expenditure on defence.
1962
23 March
The Minister of Water affairs announces an ambitious scheme to harness the Orange River for power and irrigation at a cost of R450 million, spread over about thirty years.
1962
29 March
The Minister of Defence J.J. Fouché discloses that South Africa is buying supersonic Mirage III jet fighters from France, and that South African forces are being equipped with French alouette helicopters.
1962
6 April
South Africa:Signs a multilateral agreement for the accession of Israel to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1962
30 April
South Africa:Signs treaty with Germany extending the economic agreement of 28 August 1951.
1962
May
Under a government sponsored Bill, which received its third reading in the House of Assembly on 8 February 1962, a Coloured Development Corporation with a share capital of R500, 000 (250,000 Pounds Sterling) is established to aid coloured businessmen in developing and enlarging their own industries in the townships reserved for them.
1962
May
End of may, Victoerio Carpio repudiates Pretoria statement.
1962
3 May
South Africa:Signs a multilateral procés-verbal extending the declaration on the provisional accession of the Swiss Confederation to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and trade.
1962
4 May
The Transkeian Territory Authority approves the draft Constitution as a whole, after considerable controversy mainly concerning the composition of the Legislative Assembly.
1962
6 May
United Nations representatives of the committee to investigate the conditions in South West Africa, Victorio Carpio (Philippines) and Dr. Martinez de Alva (Mexico), begin informal talks with Dr. Verwoerd and South African officials in Pretoria. They subsequently visit South Africa and return to Pretoria.
1962
8 May
R.H. Strachan is found guilty of conspiring to cause bomb explosions and is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
1962
17 May
Dr. Jan Steytler, leader of the Progressive Party, launches a nationwide protest campaign against the General Laws Amendment Bill, published by the government on 12 May 1962 defining the crime of sabotage in the widest terms.
1962
23 May
South Africa:Signs an amendment agreement with Great Britain on sugar for Swaziland.
1962
24 May
A Bill replacing the Republic of South Africa (Temporary Provisions) Act, due to expire on 31 May 1962, is enacted and receives the Royal Assent. It designed to regulate finally the operation of British law in relation to South Africa.
1962
26 May
A joint statement is issued, agreed to by Dr. Verwoerd, Victorio Carpio, Dr. de Alva and the Foreign minister, Eric Low, indicating that no evidence has been found in SWA of genocide by South Africa, or of any excessive military occupation. The conditions there do not constitute a threat to world peace.
1962
28 May
South Africa:Signs convention with Greta Britain on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
1962
June
The General Laws Amendment Act (Sabotage Act) passed.
1962
4 June
South Africa:Signs agreement with Great Britain for the temporary suspension of the margin of preference on tin plate.
1962
11 June
South Africa:Signs cultural agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany.
1962
12 June
South Africa:Signs amendment to the co-operation agreement with the United States.
1962
20 June
South Africa:Signs agreement with Japan on the safe-guards of materials transferred to Japan of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, issues a 2,000-word statement asserting that the ‘the Sabotage Bill’ reduces the liberty of the subject to a degree ‘not surpassed by the most extreme dictatorship of the Left or Right’.
1962
23 June
African and some other delegates walked out of the International Labour Conference in Geneva when delegates of the Government and employers of South Africa went to the rostrum to participate in the general debate on the Director-General\'s report.
In 1961, the conference had asked the Governing Body to forward a request to the South African government to withdraw from the ILO in view of its apartheid policy. The Government ignored the request and sent its three delegations to the present conference. The ILO Constitution had no provision for excluding a member.
1962
23 June
African and some other delegates walked out of the International Labour Conference in Geneva when delegates of the Government and employers of South Africa went to the rostrum to participate in the general debate on the Director-General's report. In 1961, the conference asked the Governing Body to forward a request to the South African government to withdraw from the ILO in view of its apartheid policy. The Government ignored the request and sent its three delegations to the present conference. The ILO Constitution has no provision for excluding a member.
1962
27 June
Parliament passes the General Law Amendment Act – the ‘Sabotage Bill’ – sponsored by the Minister of Justice, B.J. Vorster, defining sabotage in the widest terms and prescribing a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of death. Its purpose is to combat communism.
1962
27 June
General Law Amendment Act (Sabotage Act) No 76:
Increased the State President’s power to declare organisations unlawful. Further restrictions could be imposed in banning orders, restricting movement. Persons could now even be banned from social gatherings, including having more than one visitor at a time. The Minister could list banned persons in the Government Gazette (GG).
This Act created the offence of sabotage by providing that any person who committed any wrongful and wilful act whereby he/she injured, obstructed, tampered with or destroyed the health or safety of the public, the maintenance of law and order, the supply of water, light, power, fuel or foodstuffs, sanitary, medical, or fire extinguishing services could be tried for sabotage (Horrell 1978: 443).
Commenced: 27 June 1962.
Section 16 repealed by the State of Emergency Act No 86 of 1995.
1962
July - September
Seventy-five serious fires attributed to widespread arson are reported in Natal.
1962
10 July
South Africa:Signs the International Wheat Agreement.
1962
23 July
Ben Turok is sentenced to three years imprisonment for attempting to cause an explosion in the centre of Johannesburg in February.
1962
26 July
South Africa:Signs multilateral recommendations under article IX of the Antarctic Treaty.
1962
30 July
Under the provisions of the General Law Amendment Act of 1962 a list of 102 persons prohibited from attending gatherings is published in the Government Gazette. Ti includes Patrick Duncan, Albert Luthuli, Duma Nokwe, Ronald Segal, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Benjamin Turok.
1962
1 August
South Africa:Signs multilateral agreement for the accession of Portugal to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1962
3 August
The United Nations Special Committee on South West Africa disowns the Pretoria statement.
1962
5 August
Nelson Mandela, who had gone underground in 1961, was arrested near Durban. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on November 7, 1962; then tried again, while in prison in the "Rivonia Trial" and sentenced to life imprisonment.
1962
8 August
South Africa:Signs treaty with Great Britain, extending to South West Africa the Convention of 28 May 1962 on the avoidance of double taxation and the avoidance of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
1962
15 August
The Liquor Laws Amendment Bill, under which Africans are for the first time allowed to buy liquor freely, comes into effect. Introduced on 9 June 1961, given a second reading on 19 June 1961, its third on 24 June 1961 and subsequently approved by the senate, its long delay in implementation is attributed to the large number of applications for liquor licences received.
1962
16 August
South Africa:Signs amendment with Great Britain on the Ottawa Trade Agreement of 20 August 1932.
1962
17 August
The Defence Minister, J.J. Fouché, announces that the striking power of the Defence Force has been increased twenty-fold as compared with two years earlier, while that of Navy is to be increased ten-fold in the next few years.
1962
24 August
African delegations requested Secretary-General U Thant to help obtain the release of Nelson Mandela. In a statement, they condemned the arrest on 5 August and noted that he was held under the Sabotage Act, which carries a possible death penalty.
1962
24 August
African delegations requested Secretary-General U Thant to help obtain the release of Nelson Mandela. In a statement, they condemned the arrest and noted that he was held under the Sabotage Act, which carries a possible death penalty.
1962
31 August
South Africa:Signs a visa agreement with Austria.
1962
September
Congress of Democrats banned.
1962
September
Congress of Democrats banned under the Suppression of Communism Act.
1962
7 September
The South African Congress of Democrats is banned by the Minister of Justice under the Suppression of Communism Act.
1962
14 September
South Africa:Signs a visa agreement with Belgium.
1962
28 September
South Africa:Signs International Coffee Agreement.
1962
October
ANC conference in Botswana
1962
October
End-October:The Minister of Justice continues issuing a series of house arrest orders confining people to their homes foe a period of five years.
1962
October
ANC Conference held in Botswana. Delegates came from all over South Africa and from abroad.
Vorster said that the biggest danger confronting South Africa was not communism, but liberalism. He warned the English press which continued to be the mouthpiece for the Congress Alliance.
The Minister of Justice issued the first house arrest order under the new Sabotage Act against Mrs. Helen Joseph, national vice-president of the banned Congress of Democrats. The order was valid for five years.
Minister of Justice Vorster issued an order banning until 30 April 1963 all meetings to protest against arrest, trial or conviction of any person. The order was understood to have been issued to counter demonstrations in connection with the trial of Nelson Mandela and the house arrest orders.
1962
October
Albert Luthuli is elected rector by the students of Glasgow University in recognition of his “dignity and restraint” in “a potentially inflammatory situation”.
1962
13 October
The first restrictions to house arrest under the Sabotage Act is imposed in Johannesburg on Helen Joseph.
1962
19 October
The office of the Minister of Agricultural Economics and Marketing is worked by an explosion in Pretoria.
1962
27 October - 28 October
45 African (and one Indian) leaders from South Africa had met at Lobatsi, Bechuanaland, to make plans to step up political activity. They were said to have been warned that unless their efforts against the government were intensified, funds from African states would be cut off.
1962
6 November
At its 17th session, the United Nations General Assembly adopts a resolution on South Africa’s racial policies, deploring the failure of the South African government to abandon its racial policies, and establishing a Special Committee to keep these under review. The resolution favours diplomatic and economic sanctions against South Africa and asks that the UN Security Council consider expelling South Africa from the Council.
1962
6 November
The General Assembly requested Member States to take specific measures to bring about the abandonment of apartheid, including breaking of diplomatic, trade and transport relations. It also established a Special Committee to follow developments and report to the General Assembly and the Security Council. [Resolution 1761(XII)]
[From its session in 1962, the General Assembly combined the items on the treatment of Indians in South Africa and on apartheid into one item: "Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa.]
1962
6 November
The General Assembly requested Member States to take specific measures to bring about the abandonment of apartheid, including breaking of diplomatic, trade and transport relations. It also established a Special Committee against apartheid to follow developments and report to the General Assembly and the Security Council. [Resolution 1761(XII)]
1962
7 November
Mandela sentenced to five years.
1962
9 November
The Minister of Justice states that there have been twenty-three attempts of sabotage from late September to date. Nearly sixty African suspects are reported to have been arrested.
1962
15 November
Thirty-eight African and Asian delegations table a draft resolution in the Trusteeship Committee asking for an effective United Nations ‘presence’ in the South West Africa, and asking the General Assembly to reaffirm ‘the inalienable right of the people of South Africa to independence and national sovereignty.’
Uganda Prime Minister Milton Obote announces a boycott of South African goods.
1962
16 November
A list of 437 persons said to have been office-bearers, officers, members or active supporters of the banned Communist Party of South Africa is published. Listed persons are banned from belonging to thirty-six specified organizations and ordered to cease membership of such organisation by 1 February 1963.
1962
21 November
In an outbreak of violence at Paarl, Cape Province, two whites are beaten to death and seven blacks are shot during a march on a police station by about 100 blacks.
1962
27 November
Seven people were killed in Paarl. Africans marched on the police station to free prisoners arrested in recent killings. When the police opened fire, there were disturbances in town. The Minister of Justice appointed Mr. Justice J. H. Snyman to inquire into the causes of violence.
1962
29 November
President Swart appoints a one-man commission to inquire into the riots at Paarl.
1962 - 1964
December - June
In this period over 300 sentences are passed for such crimes as political murder, arson, acts of sabotage and bomb throwing, as well as for membership of banned organisation such as Poqo and the African National Congress. Forty death sentences are imposed in addition to numerous sentences of life imprisonment and lesser terms, at trials throughout the country.
1962
1 December
South Africa:Signs a loan agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development concerning the seventh Transport Project.
1962 - 1963
7 December - 13 March
The Paarl Riots Commissioner, Justice J.H. Snyman hears evidence at Paarl and elsewhere. Detailed information on the nature and activities of the Poqo organization is obtained. Ti is equated with the Pan Africanist Congress.
1962
10 December
Albert Luthuli and Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. issue a joint statement “Appeal for Action Against Apartheid”
1962
21 December
The International Court of Justice at Hague rules, by the narrow majority of eight votes to seven, that it has jurisdiction in the case brought by Ethiopia and Liberia alleging that South Africa has violated its mandate over South West Africa.
Dr. Verwoerd intimates that the government proposes to introduces legislation providing for the extension of the territorial sea limit for South Africa and South West Africa from three to six nautical miles and establishment of a contiguous fishing zone extending to twelve miles from the base line.
1963
Sisulu's wife Albertina is placed under banning orders (remains so until 1983)
1963
Police raided the secret headquarters of MK, arresting the leadership. This led to the Rivonia Trial where the leaders of MK were charged with attempting to cause a violent revolution, and thus sentenced to life imprisonment.
1963
Some ANC leaders - among them Oliver Tambo and Joe Slovo avoided arrest and left the country. Other ANC members left to undergo military training.
1963
Fietas, Johannesburg: Harry, ‘the fat man’, a tramp living in Fietas disappeared. On inquiries to his family in Soweto it was found that he had died, but later it turned out that he was alive and well.
1963
Dorothy Nyembe is arrested for leading the Natal Women\\\'s revolt where women refuse to fill cattle dipping tanks, and eventually destroy them.
1963
The United Arab Republic government informs the United Nations that it has banned South African ships from entering UAR ports, and that, while they will still be allowed to use the Suez Canal they will be denied all facilities there.
The Rivonia Trial opens in a special court at Pretoria. Eleven men are charged with complicity in more than 200 acts of sabotage aimed at facilitating revolution and armed invasion of South Africa. The indictment is quashed on the grounds that the State has not provided sufficient details of the alleged offences, but a new indictment is prepared and the trial proceeds.
1963 - 1964
African students begin focussing their attention on the multi-racial National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) an outspoken anti-government organisation with a membership drawn heavily from White English-speaking universities, for want of a better vehicle to express their political aspirations.
1963
The Coloured Person's Education Act places. control over 'coloured' education under the Department of Coloured Affairs. 'Coloured' schools are also compelled to register with the government. 'Coloured' education is made compulsory.
1963
Miriam Makeba addresses the United Nations\' Special Committee Against Apartheid, in New York.
Sonia Bunting goes into exile and continues to work for the Communist Party. She becomes organiser of the World Campaign for the Release of South African Political Prisoners.
Frances Baard is detained and held for 12 months in solitary confinement.
Dorothy Nyembe is arrested for furthering the aims of the ANC and is sentenced to three years imprisonment.
1963
Albetina Sisulu is arrested
1963
Steve Biko is introduced to politics as a teenager, when one of his older brothers, Khaya, a student at Lovedale High School, is arrested as a suspected Poqo member and jailed for three months.
The South African Police interrogate Steve Biko in connection with his brother\'s Pan Africanist activities, and Steve Biko is subsequently expelled from Lovedale.
Steve Biko develops a strong antipathy toward White authority, and carries this attitude with him when he enters St Francis College at Marianhill in Natal, a liberal Catholic boarding school and one of the few remaining private high schools for Africans in South Africa.
1963
The FIFA executive lifts the Football Association of South Africa's (FASA) suspension. FASA announces it will send an all-White team to the 1966 World Cup, and an all-Black team to the 1970 World Cup. FIFA president Stanley Rous gets FASA temporarily reinstated in 1963, but FASA is again suspended in 1964. It is expelled from FIFA in 1976.
1963
International Labour Organization (ILO) voted to expel South Africa.
1963 - 1964
Repression under the 90- and 180-day detentions.
1963
January
Regime placed blanket ban on all named and banned people. ANC decided to send some leading cadres abroad to set up external mission of the ANC and reinforce the work being done by the liberation movement from abroad.
1963
1 January
Thousands of Commonwealth citizens resident in South Africa, mostly Britons, become technically aliens through failing to apply for permanent residence by 31 December 1962 under the Commonwealth Relations Act enacted on 15 June 1962.
1963
11 January
Sisulu attends a secret meeting at the house of George Xarile together with F. Van Rensburg (a shift boss from Vlakfontein mine). It is understood that Van Rensburg made bombs for Sisulu - presumably from dinamite.
1963
18 January
Parliament opens with the debate of ‘no confidence’ moved by the Leader of opposition Sir de Villiers Graaff. The prime Minister defends the government’s Bantustan policy by attempting to establish the fact that it had been implicit in the National Party programme since it came to power in 1948.
1963
5 February
A white family is savagely killed in their caravan whilst camping on the Bashee River in the Engcobo area of the Transkei. Forty Africans are later arrested and twenty-two sentenced to death for the murders.
1963
8 February
Signs a most-favoured- Nation trade agreement with Spain.
The government publishes the draft of the Bantu Laws Amendment Bill intended to remove most of the remaining rights of Africans in white areas, including the security of employment or residence.
1963
11 February
The Defence, J.J. Fouché, announces in the House of assembly that he intends to increase the strength of the permanent army by fifty per cent.
1963
19 February
The Minister of Defence announces the re-establishment, as of 1 April 1963 of the ‘Cape Corps’ of coloured to be employed in non-combatant roles.
1963
20 February
Walter Sisulu attends a secret ANC meeting of the Phomolang branch.
1963
22 February
South Africa:Signs agreement with Australia on air pooling.
1963
23 February
At the annual conference of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Leopoldville, fifteen African states table a draft resolution requesting the United Nations Economic and Social Council to deprive of racial discrimination’. The resolution is adopted by thirty votes, with Britain, France and Spain opposing it.
1963
27 February
South Africa:Signs a treaty with the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland amending the trade agreement of 16 May 1960.
1963
4 March
Sisulu is sentenced, in the Johannesburg Regional Court, to 6 years imprisonment for (1) under section 3 (1) (A) Act 8/53 - 3 years imprisonment. Sisulu appeals, but bail is refused.
1963
4 March
Walter Sisulu, former Secretary-General of the African National Congress is convinced of having incited African workers to strike in protest against the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act of 1961, and having furthered the aims of the ANC. He is sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.
1963
9 March
Sisulu is released on R6,000 bail.
1963
14 March
The Publications and Entertainment Bill, which has been before a select Committee for nearly two years, passes its third reading in the House of Assembly by six votes to forty. The Minister of interior is to appoint a Publications Control Board to control importation, distribution, exhibition, sale or possession of Publications deemed ‘undesirable’
1963
15 March
The Defence Minister, J.J. Fouché, give the Senate details of South Africa’s defence programme and replies to statements made by Harold Wilson on the British Labour Party’s attitude to arms supplies to South Africa.
1963
20 March
Police obtain information that Sisulu is an office bearer of Umkhonto We Zizwe (Spear of the Nation).
1963
20 March
The Budget introduced by the Minister of Finance, Dr. T.E. Dönges, provides the record sum of R202 million for defence and internal security.
1963
21 March
Justice Snyman, judge in the Cape division of the Supreme Court, produces an Interim Report of his inquiry into the Paarl riots. This developed into an investigation into the Poqo organization, operating from Basutoland in collusion with subversive groups in the Transkei and its involvement in the murders and terror in the Eastern Province and the Transkei. The report is immediately tabled in the house of Assembly by the Minister of Justice B.J. Vorster, who announces that he accepts the judge’s findings and will act on them.
1963
25 March
Potlako Leballo, claiming to be the leader of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), confirms in Maseru, Basutoland, that Poqo and the PAC are one and the same organisation and that its revolutionary council is discussing the timing and manner of an uprising to be launched in South Africa during 1963.
1963
26 March
Sisulu attends an ANC party in Dube Pokaso. The party is held in aid of strengthening ANC funds.
1963
1 April
The Foreign Officer of the Philippines announces that it has instructed its Commerce Department, the National Marketing Corporation and the Bureau of Customs, to implement a boycott of all South African goods as well as to halt exports to South Africa.
1963
2 April
First meeting of the Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa (later renamed "Special Committee against Apartheid").
1963
2 April
First meeting of the Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa (later renamed "Special Committee against Apartheid").
1963
3 April
Sisulu placed under 84 hours house arrest.
1963
3 April
South Africa:Signs a treaty with Great Britain on the temporary suspension of the tariff preference on crude sperm oil.
1963
6 April
South Africa:Signs a Parcel post agreement with Japan.
1963
8 April
South Africa:Signs an amendment to the constitution of the International Labour Organisation.
1963
14 April
South Africa:Signs a treaty with Bechuanaland protectorate on aeradio-tele-communications and meteorological services at Maun.
1963
18 April
The Foreign Minister states that the South African government is unable to assist the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid since its establishment is contrary to the provisions of the United Nations.
1963
19 April
Security Police visit Sisulu's house and find that Sisulu has fled.
1963
20 April
The Rand Daily Mail reports that Sisulu has fled to Bechuanaland.
1963
20 April
South Africa:Signs the Olive Oil Agreement.
1963
22 April
The Transvaler reports that Sisulu has not yet arrived in Bechuanaland. The Star, however, alleges that he has been seen in Bechuanaland.
1963
23 April
Dr. Verwoerd, states in Parliament that if political refugees in the British Protectorates are allowed to organize revolution against South Africa then these Territories must expect retaliation.
1963
24 April
The Pretoria News alleges that Sisulu had arrived in Lorenzo Marques, Mozambique, on the 24th of April 1963 according to a press report in the L.M. Newspaper.
1963
24 April
South Africa:Signs the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
The Minister of Justice introduces a General Laws Amendment Bill implementing Justice Snyman’s recommendations establishing emergency courts to deal with cases arising from Poqo activities, and gives the Minister power to detain anyone without trial in solitary confinement for ninety days, and thereafter for further periods of ninety days, at the Minister’s discretion. The Minister is also given powers to detain without trial anyone who has been convicted of an offence endangering the security of the state. Only Helen Suzman, representing the Progressive Party, opposes the Bill in toto.
1963
26 April
At a meeting in Oslo, the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden and the Icelandic Ambassador call upon South Africa to change its racial policies and to cooperate with the United Nations.
1963
30 April
Walter Sisulu is in Lobatse.
1963
30 April
Algeria announces a total boycott of South Africa.
Three listed white communist serving sentences of house of arrest, escape to Bechuanaland.
1963
May
The security police begin 90-day arrests. A widespread purge of ‘subversive elements’ is undertaken.
1963
1 May
Prime Minister Vorster announces that Robert Sobukwe has been taken to Robben Island, where he will be detained indefinitely in terms of the General Laws Amendment Bill of 29 Apr.1963.
1963
2 May
General Law Amendment Act No 37:
Section 17, the ninety-day detention law, authorised any commissioned officer to detain - without a warrant - any person suspected of a political crime and to hold them for ninety days without access to a lawyer (Horrell 1978: 469). In practice people were often released after ninety days only to be re-detained on the same day for a further ninety-day period. The ‘Sobukwe clause’ allowed for a person convicted of political offences to be detained for a further twelve months. The Act also allowed for further declaration of unlawful organisations. The State President could declare any organisation or group of persons which had come into existence since 7 April 1960 to be unlawful. This enabled the government to extend to Umkhonto we Sizwe and Poqo the restrictions already in force on the ANC and the PAC (Horrell 1978: 416).
Commenced: 2 May 1963, except ss 3, 9 & 14, which came into effect at different times.
Sections 3-7 and 14-17 repealed by the Internal Security Act No 74 of 1982.
1963
7 May
South africa:Signs agreement with Portugal
1963
8 May
Exchanges notes with Scandinavia amending the Air Agreements of December 1961.
The United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid publishes its first Interim Report, recording with satisfaction the number of countries that have broken off diplomatic and commercial relations with South Africa, but noting with regret that nearly twenty member states still maintained these.
The British Ambassador in Pretoria and High Commissioner for the Protectorates, Sir John Maud, confirms that a distinction is made between ordinary political refugees and people who flee to the Protectorates to organize revolution. It is Britain’s policy ‘to prevent action in any territory designed to foment violence in the Republic’
1963
16 May
South Africa:Signs the Ocean Mail Contract with the Union Castle Company.
1963
23 May
South Africa:Signs additional regulations on No.2
1963
24 May
The Transkei Self-Government Bill is enacted, giving, for the first time, limited self-government to Africans in a defined area. It incorporates the draft Constitution for the Transkei, as finally approved by the Transkei Territorial Authority in December 1962.
1963
30 May
Transkei Constitution Act No 48:
Self-government given to Transkei.
Commenced: 30 May 1963
Repealed by Sch 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act No 200 of 1993.
1963
5 June
South Africa:Signs treaty with Great Britain on the release from the bound margin of preference of ten percent ad valorem on certain preserved fruit granted to South Africa.
1963
5 June
Number of alleged Poqo members arrested totalled 3,246. (House of Assembly, June 12)
1963
25 June
Signs provincial air agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany.
The final report by Justice Snyman on the Paarl Riots, is submitted to Parliament. It analyzes the main causes of the riots.
1963
26 June
Sisulu speaks on "Freedom Radio" and urges the youth to join forces and continue the struggle to fight for freedom.
1963
27 June
South Africa:Signs treaty with Bechuanaland Protectorate on postal services and insured parcels.
1963
28 June - 30 June
The governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meeting in Geneva, to discuss emergency measures against South Africa and the problems its membership poses. It is resolved that South Africa should be excluded from ILO meeting.
1963
2 July
Cameroon closes its sea and air ports to both Portugal and South Africa.
1963
3 July
Extension of University Education Amendment Act No 67:
Amended the 1959 Extension of University Education Act and the University College of Fort Hare Transfer Act No 64 of 1959.
Commenced: 3 July 1963
Repealed by s 21 of the Tertiary Education Act No 66 of 1988.
1963
4 July
South Africa:Signs treaty with Swaziland on postal services including parcel post.
1963
6 July
Robert John McBride is born in the Coloured section of Addington Hospital, Durban. His father Derrick Robert McBride and mother Doris are teachers at a Clairwood school. His maternal grandparents were Collin Campbell van Niekerk, a White Afrikaner, and Grace, a Coloured daughter of a Zulu-speaking mother and a Coloured father.
Robert grows up in Wentworth, a suburb 11km from the city centre of Durban. Converted from a World War 2 military transit camp, Wentworth is flanked by the industrial area of Jacobs and an oil refinery, and is reserved for Coloured people.
1963
11 July
Sisulu is arrested and detained under Section 17 Act 37/1963.
1963
12 July
Hungary announces the breaking-off of trade relations with South Africa.
The Security Police surround a house in Rivonia and arrest eighteen people, including Walter Sisulu, former Secretary-General of the banned African National Congress and Ahmed Kathrada, who had also gone ‘underground’ from house arrests.
1963
13 July
The government of India announces that it is cutting India’s last remaining links with South Africa by refusing landing and passage facilities to South African aircraft.
The Security police discose the existence of an underground group the Yu Chi Chan, said to include people trained in Peking and Algeria for sabotage in South Africa.
1963
15 July
Dr. Verwoerd announces that the government has decided to withdraw from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) owing to the hostility shown by African states.
1963
16 July
Ivory Coast closes sea and airports to South Africa and Portugal.
1963
18 July
The United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid releases its second Interim Report recommending an effective an embargo on the supply of arms and ammunition, and of petroleum.
Harold Wolpe, a Johannesburg solicitor, and listed Communist, is arrested on the Bechuanaland border.
1963
22 July
Ethiopia closes her airspace to South African aircraft.
1963
26 July
The British High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland issues the Prevention of Violence Abroad Proclamation, which makes it an offence for persons to conspire against, or incite, or instigate violence in South Africa or other neighbouring territories. It comes into immediate effect.
1963
30 July
In the Geneva session of the United nations Economic and Social Council, an Argentinean resolution state that South Africa shall not take part in the work of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) until conditions for constructive co-operation have been restored by a change of its racial policy. The resolution is adopted by six votes to two, with ten abstentions.
Yugoslavia closes its consular office in Johannesburg.
1963
31 July - 6 August
The United Nations Security Council debates the South African situation. The government reaffirms its decision not to participate in the debate since discussions would concern matters falling solely within its domestic jurisdiction.
1963
August
The Christian Institute of southern Africa, a non-racial interdenominational organisation, is founded under the directorship of Rev. C. F. Beyers Naudé.
1963
1 August - 30 September
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty for the prolongation of the International Sugar Agreement.
1963
6 August
Guinea announces that she has broken off diplomatic, commercial and cultural relations with South Africa and Portugal, and banned the entry of their nationals into Guinea.
1963
7 August
The United Nations Security Council adopts a resolution calling upon all states to cease forthwith the sale and shipment of arms, ammunition and military vehicles to South Africa.
South Africa is denied landing and over flying rights by the United Arab Republic as from this date.
1963
7 August
The Security Council adopted resolution 181 calling upon all States to cease the sale and shipment of arms, ammunition and military vehicles to South Africa.
1963
7 August
Security Council resolution...
1963
8 August
South Africa:Signs amendment to the sugar agreement of 3 June 1957 with Great Britain.
1963
10 August
Dr. K.G. Abrahams is arrested in Gobabis area of South West Africa, and subsequently charged with being the chairman of the Yu Chi Chan Club (YCCC) aimed at overthrowing the government by revolution. A precious attempt to arrest him on 19 July 1963 was obstructed by the local community at Rehoboth, SWA conflicting accounts surround the circumstances of his arrest. He himself claims to have been abducted from Bechuanaland, where he had been travelling between Ghanzi and Lobatsi.
1963
11 August
Harold Wolpe, a listed Communist arrested on the Bechuanaland border, and Arthur Goldreich, caught in the Rivonia raid escape from the Johannesburg Central Police station, ‘go to ground’ and on 28 August emerge in Bechuanaland.
1963
11 August
Arthur Goldreich, Harold Wolpe, Moosa Moolla and A. Jassat escaped from prison and left the country.
1963
19 August
Dr. Abrahams makes a habeas corpus application to the Cap Supreme Court and demands his return to Bechuanaland where he claims to have been already granted political asylum.
Indonesia announces the severance of diplomatic and commercial relations with South Africa, and the closure of Indonesian ports to South African vessels.
Sudan closes her sea and airports to South Africa and Portugal.
The Abrahams case is discussed by Sir Hugh Stephenson, the new British Ambassador in Pretoria and High Commissioner for Bechuanaland and the Permanent Secretary of the South African Foreign Ministry, in the light of the request by the British Colonial Office for a full report.
1963
20 August
The Israeli government informs the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid that it has taken all necessary steps to ensure that no arms, ammunition, or strategic materials may be exported from Israel to South Africa in any form, directly or indirectly.
Mauritius closes her sea and airports to South Africa and Portugal.
1963
22 August
South African Airways (SAA) announces the re-routing of its services to Europe via Luanda (Angola), Brazzaville, the Cape Verde Islands, and Las Palmas.
1963
28 August
Goldreich and Wolpe are found to be in Francistown, Bechunaland, having flown there from Swaziland.
1963
30 August
The Prime Minister announces, in a statement before the Supreme Court in Cape Town, that Dr. Abra]iams will be returned to Bechuanaland. Dr. Abrahams, and his three companions, are returned to Ghanzi on 31 August 1963, and the charge of sabotage is withdrawn on 11 September 1963.
1963
31 August
Libya closes her sea and airports to South Africa and Portugal and denies them over flying rights.
1963
September
South African Airways is excluded from flying over the African continent, except for Portuguese territory.
1963
3 September
Dr. Verwoerd suggests that the three Protectorates might develop to independence under South Africa’s guidance rather than under Britain’s and offers to administer them as self-governing Bantustans.
1963
9 September
At a meeting in Stockholm the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden confirm that their countries neither permit, nor intend to permit any exports of arms to South Africa. Their ultimate aim is the guaranteeing of equal rights to all citizens.
1963
12 September
Chad closes its air space to South Africa and Portuguese aircraft, as well as to all other planes carrying goods or passengers to or from the two countries.
1963
14 September
South Africa:Signs multilateral Convention on Offences Committed on Board Aircraft.
1963
16 September
The final report of the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid gives a detailed review of developments in South Africa’s racial policies since 6 November 1962. It is unanimously approved and published on 18 September 1963.
1963
17 September
Regulations incorporating new measures to prevent aircraft transporting ‘criminals or refugees’ in or out of the three British High Commission Territories are published in the Government Gazette. Thirty-seven air ports are designated as compulsory landing points (twelve for Basutoland, seventeen for Bechuanaland and eight for Swaziland).
1963
23 September
The United Arab Republic Ministry of Economy announces that all economic ties with South Africa will be severed.
At the World Health Organization’s Regional Conference for Africa, in Geneva, twenty-six African delegates leave the opening session in protest against the presence of South African and Portuguese delegates. The Conference is left without a quorum and adjourned on 24 September 1963.
1963
27 September
The Danish Foreign Minister states in the United Nations General Assembly that the Scandinavian Foreign Ministers have refused an invitation by Dr. Verwoerd to visit South Africa to see for themselves what the racial situation really was. Such a journey is not seen as furthering a solution to the South African problem in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
1963
30 September
Tanganyika formally ends all imports and exports, direct and indirect, from and to South Africa.
1963
October
Prominent leaders of the ANC and allied organisations charged in the "Rivonia trial". (Many of them had been arrested on the Rivonia farm).
1963 - 1964
October - June
The Rivonia Trial, which ended in Mandela, Mbeki, Sisulu, Goldberg, Kathrada, Mhlaba, Mlangeni and Motsoaledi being sentenced to life imprisonment.
1963 - 1964
October - June
The Rivonia Trial, which ended in Mandela, Mbeki, Sisulu, Goldberg, Kathrada, Mhlaba, Mlangeni and Motsoaledi being sentenced to life.
1963
2 October
Kuwait breaks off diplomatic relations with South Africa and all Kuwaiti air and seaports are closed to South African aircraft and vessels.
1963
9 October
Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Rusty Bernstein, Dennis Goldberg, James Kantor, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motsoaledi and Raymond Mhlaba (The Rivonia Trialist) are charged with sabotage and attempting to overthrow the state violently.
1963
9 October
(edit) Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Rusty Bernstein, Dennis Goldberg, James Kantor, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motsoaledi and Raymond Mhlaba (The Rivonia Trialist) are charged with sabotage and attempting to overthrow the state violently. In the Cape members of a breakaway group from the Non-European Unity Movement, Neville Alexander, Don Davis, Marcus Solomons, Elizabeth van der Heyden, Fikile Bam, Ian Leslie van den Heyden, Lionel Davis, Dorothy Alexander, Dulcie September, Doris van der Heyden and Gordon Hendricks are brought to trial in Cape Town.
1963
10 October
An urgent resolution is considered by the United Nations Political Committee condemning the government of South Africa for its repression, and requesting it to abandon the trial now in progress and to grant unconditional release to all political prisoners and to all persons subjected to other restrictions for having opposed the policy of apartheid. It is approved, and the following day, 11 October 1963, passed by the General Assembly by 106 votes to one.
1963
11 October
South africa:Signs multilateral sugar agreement.
1963
11 October
The General Assembly adopted resolution 1881(XVIII) requesting the Government of South Africa to abandon the "Rivonia trial" of Nelson Mandela and other leaders, and forthwith to grant unconditional release to all political prisoners and to all persons imprisoned, interned or subjected to other restrictions for having opposed the policy of apartheid. The vote was 106 to 1, with only South Africa voting against.
(This date was subsequently proclaimed the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners.)
1963
11 October
The General Assembly adopted resolution 1881(XVIII) requesting the Government of South Africa to abandon the "Rivonia trial" of Mr. Nelson Mandela and other leaders, and forthwith to grant unconditional release to all political prisoners and to all persons imprisoned, interned or subjected to other restrictions for having opposed the policy of apartheid. The vote was 106 to 1, with only South Africa voting against.
(This date was subsequently proclaimed the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners.)
1963
15 October
The Netherlands Permanent Representative at the United Nations announces that his government has banned the export and transit to South Africa of weapons and munitions• which could be used for the oppression of the non-white population.
1963
17 October
The Rev. Dr. Arthur William Blaxall, an Anglican clergyman is convicted on charges of aiding the activities of the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) and the ANC. He had pleaded guilty and does not appeal against the sentence. However, on instructions from Mr. Vorster he is released on parole the following day.
1963
21 October
The Canadian Minister for External Affairs announces that the government has imposed an embargo on further sales or shipments of Canadian military equipment to South Africa.
1963
28 October
The United Nations General Assembly Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee approves a Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in which South Africa’s policy of apartheid is specifically condemned.
1963
November
The Minister of Security announces that 543 people have been detained under the 90-day clause. Of these 151 have been released, 275 have been charged in court, sixty-one are due to be charged shortly, five have escaped and fifty-one are still being questioned.
1963
7 November
South Africa:Signs treaty with Great Britain on the suspension of the margin of preference on crude sperm oil.
1963
8 November
South Africa:Signs multilateral agreement on radio regulations.
1963
13 November
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty on the provisional accession of Yugoslavia to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1963
16 November
South Africa:Signs treaty extending the declaration on the provisional accession of Argentina to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1963
18 November
Eric H. Louw, Foreign Minister since January 1955, announces his intention to retire.
1963
20 November
The first elections to the forty-five seats for elected members of the Transkei Legislative Assembly take place.There are no political parties, the choice being between candidates supporting Chief Kaiser Matanzima and those supporting Paramount Chief Victor Polo Ndamase of the West Pondos, believed to favour multi-racialism. All adults are entitled to vote; voters comprise all Xhosa,not only in the Transkei, but throughout South Africa.
1963
21 November
It is officially announced on Eric Louw’s seventy-third birthday that the South African Ambassador in London, Dr. Hilgard Muller, will be sworn in as Foreign Minister on 9 January 1964.
1963
22 November
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty banning nuclear weapon testing in the atmosphere.
1963
28 November
South Africa:Signs treaty with Great Britain on the temporary suspension of the tariff preference on crude sperm oil enjoyed by South Africa,
1963
December
Transkei granted self-government. In elections held earlier, opponents of bantustan policy won a majority of the 45 elected seats. But they were outnumbered by 64 appointed Chiefs who became members of the assembly.
1963
December
Zainab Asvat leads a women’s march to Union Buildings to protest appointment of Indian National Council and Group Areas Act.
1963
2 December
It is officially conceded that the majority of the members elected to the first Transkei Legislative Assembly support Chief Poto. The voting percentage in most areas is reported to be over 70% and the total number of voters to have exceeded 800,000.
1963
3 December
The Rivonia Trial, concerning two charges of sabotage, one under the Suppression of Communism Act, and one under the General Law Amendment Act, begins before Justice de Wet. The Prosecutor, Dr. Percy Yutar gives details of explosives to be used to commit acts of destruction, to be followed by guerrilla activity and military invasion.
1963
4 December
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution calling on the South African government to cease its repressive measures and calls on all states to embargo materials for arms manufacture. A small group of recognized experts is to be established to examine methods of resolving the South African situation.
1963
4 December
The Security Council, in resolution 182(1963) called upon all States "to cease forthwith the sale and shipment of equipment and materials for the manufacture and maintenance of arms and ammunition in South Africa". It requested the Secretary-General to establish a small group of experts to examine methods of resolving the situation in South Africa "through full, peaceful and orderly application of human rights and fundamental freedoms to all inhabitants of the territory as a whole, regardless of race, colour or creed, and to consider what part the United Nations might play in the achievement of this goal."
1963
4 December
The Security Council, in resolution 182(1963) called upon all States "to cease forthwith the sale and shipment of equipment and materials for the manufacture and maintenance of arms and ammunition in South Africa". It requested the Secretary-General to establish a small group of experts to examine methods of resolving the situation in South Africa "through full, peaceful and orderly application of human rights and fundamental freedoms to all inhabitants of the territory as a whole, regardless of race, colour or creed, and to consider what part the United Nations might play in the achievement of this goal."
1963
6 December
The Transkei Legislative Assembly meets for the first time in Umtata and elects Chief Kaiser Matanzima as Chief Minister by fifty-four votes to forty-nine for Chief Victor Polo, with two papers spoilt. Chief Matanzima forms a political party with the backing of the non-elective chiefs and their supporters; Chief Poto goes into opposition as the leader of the democratically elected members.
1963
10 December
South africa:Signs multilateral treaty on consent to marriage, minimum age for marriage and registration of marriages.
1963
11 December
The first of the ‘Bantustans’ comes into existence when the Minister of Bantu Administration and Development, de Wet Net, opens the Transkei Legislative Assembly at Umtata. Chief Kaiser Matanzima is installed as Chief Minister.
1963
12 December
South Africa:Accepts Procčs-verbal extending the provisional accession of Tunisa to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1963
15 December
Sisulu's appeal is dismissed by the Transvaal section of the Supreme Court. Sisulu must serve his 6 year prison sentence.
1963
16 December
The General Assembly appealed for assistance to families of persons persecuted by the South African Government for their opposition to apartheid. [Resolution 1978(XVIII)]
1963
23 December
South Africa:Signs treaty with Southern Rhodesia on the removal of the operation of the 6 Feb. 1964 trade agreement of 16 May 1960.
South Africa:Signs treaty with Southern Rhodesia on the continuation of the extradition agreement of 19 November 1962.
South Afrca:Signs treaty on extradition (Northern Rhodesia) with Great Britain.
It is announced in Pretoria that Dr. Card de Wet, M.P. for Vanderbijlpark, Transvaal and grandson of General IC. de Wet, a leading Boer commander in the South African War of 1899-1902, has been appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
1964
Vuyisile Mini, W. Mkaba and Z. Khanyiga, all eastern Cape trade union leaders are executed for killing a police informer.
1964 - 1970
Fietas, Johannesburg: All Pageview residents are issued with eviction orders
1964
African Self-Help Association is set up.
Frances Baard is sentenced to five years under Suppression of Communism Act for ANC activities.
Hilda Bernstein escapes to Botswana, then London and becomes a member of the External Mission and Women’s Section of the ANC
1964
1964 In the face of strong opposition by rank-and-file members (mostly White) to some of its more "radical" policies, the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) shifts rightwards, confining itself to symbolic multiracial activities and protests after-the-fact against government infringements on academic freedom. This marks the beginning a phase of deep frustration for the small Black membership, as virtually all channels for the expression of anti-apartheid sentiment are closed. The students allow themselves to be co-opted into the new non-risk style of NUSAS politics, since they are unable to adequately articulate their opposition to injustice.
1964
Black Labour Act No 67:
Consolidated the laws regulating the recruiting, employment, accommodation, feeding and health conditions of black labourers.
Commenced: 1 January 1965
Repealed by s 69 of the Black Community Development Act No 4 of 1984.
1964
Education Act No 2:
Overrode South African apartheid schooling systems and provided for black schooling and subsidies.
Commenced: 1 April 1965
1964
Robert McBride's sister Bronwyn is born.
1964
Robert McBride's maternal grandfather, Collin Campbell "Sonny" van Niekerk (a White Afrikaner) dies. He was a bus driver in the rural village of Harding, southern Natal.
1964
FASA's (Football Association of South Africa) suspension is re-imposed by the FIFA Congress. The Federation leadership is persecuted, arrested, or banned.
Avalon Athletic win the SASL (South African Soccer League) double (League and Cup titles). Eric 'śScara'ť Sono dies in a car crash at the age of 27.
The Pretoria Sundowns soccer team is revived.
1964
4 January
In a New Year message, the South African Prime Minister says it is justifiable for the whites to refuse to commit national suicide and to fight for self preservation.
1964
6 January
South Africa:Signs treaty with France on the installation of a scientific space tracking station in South Africa.
1964
13 January
The United Nations Secretary-General names four experts to examine the problem of apartheid in South Africa in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution of 4 December 1963. They are: Sir Edward Asafu-Adjaye (Ghana); Josip Djerdja (Yugoslavia); Sir Hugh Foot (United Kingdom); and Alva Myrdal (Sweden).
1964
17 January
Leader of the Opposition, Sir de Villiers Graaff, demands a judicial inquiry into the activities of the Broederbond, and demands the resignation of the Prime Minister from this society. Dr. Verwoerd refuses to resign.
1964
24 January
It is announced that efforts by Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. Butler and Glasgow University to obtain permission from the South African government for Albert Luthuli to leave Natal and be installed as Rector of Glasgow University have failed.
1964
27 January
The appointment of the group of experts to examine the problem of apartheid, in terms of the United Nations Security Council resolution of 4 December 1963, is completed.
1964
30 January
Signs treaty with Great Britain on the suspension of the margin of preference on butter.
1964
4 February
The International Court of Justice announces that in the South West Africa cases (Ethiopia v. South Africa; Liberia v. South Africa) the counter-memorial of South Africa has been filed. 20 June 1964 is fixed as the time limit for the filing of replies by Ethiopia and Liberia and 20 November 1964 for the filing of South Africa’s rejoinder.
The number of men required for military training in 1964 is to increase by 60%, i.e. from 10,368 to 16,537.
1964
5 February
The South African government informs the United Nations Secretary-General that it is unable to agree to a visit by the group of experts, as it would be an interference in the internal affairs of the Republic.
1964
6 February
The Rt. Rev. Robert Selby Taylor, Bishop of Grahamstown, is elected Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Province of South Africa, in succession to Dr. Joost de Blank who recently returned to Britain on medical advice.
1964
7 February
The Transkei opposition leader Paramount Chief Victor PoW, forms South Africa’s first African political party - the Democratic Party. Its aims include the retention of the Transkei as an integral part of South Africa.
1964
8 February
The leader of the South African opposition, Sir de Villiers Graaf, agrees with the government that the composition of the proposed United Nations Committee to Study Apartheid is such as to preclude any possibility of an objective or impartial inquiry and that the group should not be received in South Africa.
1964
15 February
The governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meeting in Geneva, votes in favour of suspending South Africa from participation in its Annual General Conferences. The resolution is passed by thirty-two votes to fourteen with two abstentions.
1964
23 February
A new weekly air service between Johannesburg and New York, with an intermediate stop at Rio de Janeiro is inaugurated in spite of the opposition of the UN Special Committee on Apartheid.
1964
28 February
A Bill, presently before Parliament, provides for the establishment of a Coloured Representative Council comprising thirty elected and sixteen nominated members. The State President will be able to confer power on the Council to make laws for coloureds in respect of finance, local government, education, community welfare and pensions.
1964
March
The South African delegation walks out of the World Health Organization (WHO) having been deprived of its voting rights.
1964
5 March
South Africa:Signs multilateral declaration on the provisional accession of Iceland to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1964
7 March
The Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, Dr. Hertzog, confirms that the government’s policy regarding television is unchanged. There is no question of television being introduced.
1964
7 March
The Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, Dr. Hertzog, confirms that the government’s policy regarding television is unchanged. There is no question of television being introduced.
1964
9 March
The United Nations Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid resumes its meetings and decides to draft an appeal to the Security Council and the General Assembly to ensure implementation of resolutions on South Africa adopted by them. They recommend that South Africa halt current trials of anti-apartheid leaders and refrain from executing persons already sentenced to death.
1964
11 March
About two hundred delegates from all parts of the world attend the Accra Conference for Solidarity with the Workers and People of South Africa.
1964
14 March
The South African Government announced withdrawal from the International Labour Organisation.
1964
20 March
South Africa:Signs treaty with Great Britain on the elimination of the margin of preference of ten percent ad valorem on boxwood.
1964
21 March
The 1964-65 Budget provides for R210m. on defence, an increase of R52m. over the previous year. The Minister of Defence, Dr. Donges, admits it is a large increase but is confident the House will furnish ‘the wherewithal to discourage foreign aggression’.
1964
23 March
South Africa:Signs multilateral treaty embodying results of the 1960-61 Tariff Conference pertaining to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade.
1964
31 March
South Africa:Signs treaty with Denmark, Norway and Sweden on the temporary amendment of 1958 air agreements.
The United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid publishes a report recommending that the Security Council call on South Africa to refrain from executing people sentenced to death for political offences. to end political trials in process and grant amnesty to all political prisoners.
1964
17 April
The Conference on Sanctions against South Africa ends in London by issuing the declaration that total economic sanctions are feasible and practicable, and calls for world action to end apartheid.
1964
18 April
Dr. N.E. Alexander and four others are found guilty of sabotage and are sentenced to ten years imprisonment. The judge finds that the accused participated in the activities of the National Liberation Front (NLF), a continuation of the Yu Chi Chan Club, whose aims was to further violence and revolution.
South Africa:Signs agreement with France and a third party.
1964
20 April
At the Rivonia Trial, Nelson Mandela, former leader of the banned ANC, blames the actions of the government for adoption of policies of violence by African leaders. He surveys the history and aims of the ANC and gives reasons why Umkonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation) was formed.
The United Nations Group of Experts on Apartheid submits its report to the Secretary-General. It proposes a National Convention to set a new course for South Africa’s future and envisages the removal of a mass of restrictive and discriminatory legislation.
1964
20 April
The Group of Experts on South Africa presented its report to the Secretary-General, recommending that "all the people of South Africa should be brought into consultation and should thus be enabled to decide the future of their country at the national level." The Group was set up in pursuance of the Security Council resolution of 4 December 1963, with Mrs. Alva Myrdal (Sweden) as Chairman. Sir Hugh Foot (United Kingdom) was Rapporteur.
1964
20 April
The Group of Experts on South Africa presented its report to the Secretary-General. Indication of recommendations. (CHECK)
Nelson Mandela addresses court at Rivonia trial.
1964
24 April
The Prime Minister maintains that the country is economically so strong that it can withstand economic sanctions. The only vulnerable spot is oil supply.
1964
May
Minister of Justice, John (B.J.) Vorster, serves Albert Luthuli with yet another five-year ban confining him to his home in Groutville.
1964
1 May
Signs treaty with Great Britain on the elimination of the margin of preference often percent ad valorem on prepared or preserved groundnuts.
President Kayibanda of Rwanda says the people and government condemn apartheid but think a realistic view should be taken of the probable effects of economic sanctions.
1964
6 May
South africa:Signs treaty with Great Britain on the temporary suspension of the margin of preference guaranteed to the UK on tin plate.
The Bantu Laws Amendment Bill passes its third reading, giving the Minister of Bantu Administration the powers to declare prescribed areas in which the number of Africans to be employed could be determined, to override local authorities in African affairs and to redirect redundant labour to African Reserves. This comprehensive piece of apartheid legislation is an essential component of the overall plan for separate development.
1964
9 May
Opening the first Legislative session of the Transkei-Legislative Assembly, President Swart says that the Transkei now has an all-Westernized system of government. The Republic of South Africa will continue to assist the Transkei and will train its successors in office.
1964
16 May
The Commission of Inquiry into the South African Press tables the second part of its report, severely criticizing the reporting on South African affairs by foreign correspondents, or local correspondents working for foreign news agencies, an antagonism towards Afrikaners and the government. The Commission recommends the setting up of a press council to control newspapers and correspondents.
1964
23 May
Albert Luthuli’s first five year ban expires but he is immediately served with a new and stricter order.
1964
30 May
The leader of the Basutoland National Party, Chief Leabua Jonathan, indicates that Basutoland is so economically dependent on South Africa that the imposition of economic sanctions is not feasible.
1964
3 June
South Africa:Signs treaty with Southern Rhodesia on the continuation of the workman’s compensation agreement of 11 October 1958.
1964
5 June
Dr. Verwoerd says that the government has no intention of trying to incorporate Bechuanaland, Basutoland or Swaziland into South Africa.
A resolution to expel South Africa from the Universal Postal Union is approved by the Union’s congress in Vienna, by fifty-eight votes to thirty, with twenty-six abstentions.
1964
9 June
The Prime Minister announces the appointment of a one-man commission of enquiry, consisting of a Judge of Appeal, to investigate all secret organizations likely to influence unlawfully the State, the people, or the administration of justice. The inquiry is to be held in secret.
1964
9 June
The Security Council - in resolution 190 - urged the South African Government to end the Rivonia Trial and grant an amnesty to all persons imprisoned or restricted for having opposed the policy of apartheid.
1964
12 June
At the conclusion of the Rivonia Trial eight of the accused are sentenced to life imprisonment. The central figure in the trial is Nelson Mandela who argues that he was driven to acts of sabotage by the frustration of all legitimate means of political protest. His argument is rejected by the Judge. The State has not charged the accused with High Treason, and Mr. Justice
de Wet accordingly decides not to impose the supreme penalty.
1964
12 June
Nelson Mandela and others sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia trial.
1964
12 June
Nelson Mandela and others sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia trial.
1964
12 June
In a statement issued following the imposition of life sentences on Nelson Mandela, Walter Sis | | |
