Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/01. Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of South Africa (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (32 Milestones)
2800000 BCE
Hominids at Sterkfontein
Early hominin fossils including Australopithecus africanus are preserved in the Sterkfontein Caves, earning the region the title 'Cradle of Humankind'. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
A photograph of archaeologists at Sterkfontein cave, where Mrs Ples was found. Gauteng, South Africa By english Wikipedia user - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=242599
500 CE
Bantu-speaking peoples migrate south
Bantu-speaking agriculturalists expand into southern Africa, introducing ironworking, cattle-herding, and crop cultivation to the region. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Spread of the "Early Iron Age" in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, a proxy for the Bantu migrations. Based on K. Shillington, History of Africa (3rd ed. 2005), p. 63. Urewe (Lake Victoria) 250 BCE, Kwale 200 CE, Kisale 300 CE, , Kalundu/Dambwa 100 CE , Kalambo 300 CE, Nkope 300 CE, Gokmere-Ziwa/Bambata 300 CE, presence in South Africa (Kei river) by 400 CE. By Unknown author - East&southern africa early iron age.gif, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5444722
1075 CE
Mapungubwe kingdom flourishes
The Kingdom of Mapungubwe emerges as a major trading state on the Limpopo River, trading gold and ivory with the Swahili coast. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Mapungubwe Hill By JJ van Zyl - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2182725
Dec 8, 1488 CE
Dias rounds the Cape
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias becomes the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope, opening a sea route to Asia. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Statue of Bartolomeu Dias at the High Commission of South Africa in London By Bartolomeu_Dias,_South_Africa_House.JPG: RedCoat (en:User:RedCoat10) derivative work: Biser Todorov (talk) - Bartolomeu_Dias,_South_Africa_House.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7586424
Apr 6, 1652 CE
Dutch settle at Cape
Jan van Riebeeck establishes a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, founding Cape Town. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
'Aethiopia inferior, vel exterior'; copperplate map from 'Theatrum orbis terrarum sive atlas novus' Published in Amsterdam. By Willem Blaeu - Evolution of the Map of Southern Africa - Monomotapa http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/africa/maps-southern/southern.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9029799
1779 CE
First Xhosa War begins
Frontier wars between Dutch colonists and Xhosa chiefdoms erupt along the eastern Cape frontier, lasting intermittently for a century. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
"Column of Xhosas crossing a River in a Deep Ravine", painting by Frederick Timpson I'Ons (1802-1887) By J. J. Redgrave & Edna Bradlow - "Frederick I'Ons, artist", Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17825851
Sep 16, 1795 CE
Britain seizes the Cape
British forces occupy the Cape during the French Revolutionary Wars, beginning a period of British interest in the region. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Painting of Admiral of the Red Sir George Keith Elphinstone (later 1st Viscount Keith) at the Battle of Muizenberg, 1795 by Henri Pierre Danloux at Bowood House, 30 June 2019. The Battle of Muizenberg against the Dutch resulted in Britain taking Cape Colony. Cropped from the origional on commons. original By Unknown author - Wikimedia Commons, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145529306
1816 CE
Shaka forges Zulu kingdom
Shaka kaSenzangakhona transforms the Zulu chiefdom into a powerful militarised kingdom through innovative tactics and political consolidation. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Sketch of King Shaka (1781 - 1828) from 1824. Attributed to James King, it appeared in Nathanial Isaacs’ "Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa", published in 1836. By James King - https://books.google.com/books?id=M8VjAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA57-IA2, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=427056
1820 CE
British settlers arrive
Around 5,000 British settlers are landed in the eastern Cape as a buffer against Xhosa raids, strengthening British colonial presence. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
"The British Settlers of 1820 Landing in Algoa Bay", by Thomas Baines, 1853 By Thomas Baines - Suid-Afrikaanse Geskiedenis in Beeld (1989). Anthony Preston. Bion Books: Printed in South Africa. Believed to be on display at the Albany Museum, Grahamstown., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=175851493
Dec 16, 1838 CE
Battle of Blood River
Voortrekker forces defeat a Zulu army at the Ncome River, a pivotal event in Boer mythology and the Great Trek. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Entrance to the Battle of Blood River Monument in Kwazulu-Natal. The monument is visible in the background. By Renier Maritz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1395794
Jan 17, 1852 CE
Sand River Convention
Britain recognises the independence of Boer republics north of the Vaal River, formalising the South African Republic (Transvaal). Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Signing of the Sand River Convention in 1852, on B. Venter's farm Boskop, at the Sand River in the Orange Free State. It guaranteed a temporary independence of the Voortrekkers' acquisitions north of the Vaal River. It was followed by the Bloemfontein Convention in 1854, where the British relinquised control of the Orange River Sovereignty, or Transorangia. By JMK - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30199775
1867 CE
Diamonds discovered
The discovery of diamonds near Kimberley triggers a mineral revolution that reshapes the economy and intensifies colonial competition. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Vue de Northern Cape en Afrique du Sud. By South African Tourism from South Africa - Big Hole, Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67615802
Jan 22, 1879 CE
Battle of Isandlwana
A Zulu army inflicts a stunning defeat on British forces at Isandlwana, though the Anglo-Zulu War ultimately ends in British victory. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Battle of Isandhlwana (1879) Natal, South Africa By Charles Edwin Fripp - Transferred from fr.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Barbe-Noire using CommonsHelper. Original uploader was Georgio, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4866576
1886 CE
Gold found on the Witwatersrand
The discovery of the largest gold reef on Earth near present-day Johannesburg triggers a gold rush and the founding of the city. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Witwatersrand gold By Taylor, C.D., Schulz, K.J., Doebrich, J.L., Orris, G.J., Denning, P.D., and Kirschbaum, M.J. - Geology and nonfuel mineral deposits of Africa and the Middle East, USGS Open-File Report 2005-1294-E, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56451574
Oct 11, 1899 CE
Second Boer War begins
War erupts between Britain and the two Boer republics, culminating in British victory and the use of controversial concentration camps. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
A Collage of Major Battles and Events during the Second Boer War Clockwise from left: Boers in action at the Battle of Colenso, the 17th Lancers holding of an attack at Modderfontein, General Redvers Buller entering Ladysmith on 27 Feb 1900, Boers at the besieged city of Mafeking, Canadian Troops during the Battle of Paardeberg, and Boers before action at Spion Kop. By The British Army and The Illustrated London News, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140253010
May 31, 1910 CE
Union of South Africa
The four colonies unite to form the Union of South Africa as a self-governing dominion of the British Empire. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Flag of South Africa, used between 1928 and 1982. It is identical to the 1982 to 1994 version except that the shade of blue is darker. It is also known as the "Oranje-Blanje-Blou". By Parliament of South Africa (Vector graphics image by Denelson83) - Vectorialized from description found in Southern African Vexillological Association. Flag specification sheets : South Africa national flag 1928-1994, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=569034
Jan 8, 1912 CE
ANC founded
The South African Native National Congress, later the African National Congress, is founded in Bloemfontein to advocate African rights. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
African National Congress flag. By Original: African National Congress Vector: UberHalogen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2277413
Jun 19, 1913 CE
Natives Land Act
Legislation restricts black land ownership to around 7% of the country, laying an early foundation for territorial segregation. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Coat of arms of South Africa (1910–1930) By Union of South Africa - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69519847
1948 CE
Apartheid elections
The National Party wins the general election on a platform of apartheid, instituting formal racial segregation across society. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Map of the results of the 1948 South African general election showing: seats won by each party per province provinces coloured according to the party that won the largest share of the popular vote Note - not all seats were contested by all parties (and some were uncontested). Darker line shows the outline between the various provinces. Map style inspired by work by Humongous125 - eg this map of Australia By MrPenguin21 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130084608
Jun 26, 1955 CE
Freedom Charter adopted
The Congress Alliance adopts the Freedom Charter at Kliptown, articulating a vision of a non-racial democratic South Africa. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
'Aethiopia inferior, vel exterior'; copperplate map from 'Theatrum orbis terrarum sive atlas novus' Published in Amsterdam. By Willem Blaeu - Evolution of the Map of Southern Africa - Monomotapa http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/africa/maps-southern/southern.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9029799
Mar 21, 1960 CE
Sharpeville Massacre
Police open fire on peaceful protesters against pass laws at Sharpeville, killing 69 and drawing global condemnation of apartheid. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Bodies of dead and some wounded persons are left following the South African police's massacre of people in Sharpeville. By Unknown author - https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=3920c6c98f90421caf4d2ed8b97f73f5&mediatype=photo, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=185316835
Jun 12, 1964 CE
Mandela sentenced
Nelson Mandela and fellow Rivonia Trialists are sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and conspiracy against the state. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Flag of South África Used color: National flag | Mzansi Government and Pantone Color Picker green rendered as RGB 000 119 073Pantone 3415 C yellow rendered as RGB 255 184 028Pantone 1235 C red rendered as RGB 224 060 049Pantone 179 C blue rendered as RGB 000 020 137Pantone Reflex Blue C white rendered as RGB 255 255 255 black rendered as RGB 000 000 000 By Flag design by Frederick Brownell, image by Wikimedia Commons users - Per specifications in the Constitution of South Africa, Schedule 1 - National flag, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343749
Jun 16, 1976 CE
Soweto Uprising
Students in Soweto protest the imposition of Afrikaans in schools; police violence kills hundreds and sparks nationwide revolt. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Mbuyisa Makhubu carries Hector Pieterson after Pieterson was shot and killed at the Soweto Uprising. Antoinette Sithol, Pieterson's sister, runs beside them. By Sam Nzima - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/16/soweto-uprising-40-years-on-hector-pieterson-image-shocked-the-world, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=189261409
Feb 11, 1990 CE
Mandela released
After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela is freed from Victor Verster Prison amid accelerating negotiations to end apartheid. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela's first trip to the United States. By Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel - Flickr: NELSON MANDELA, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74768082
Apr 27, 1994 CE
First democratic elections
Millions vote in South Africa's first universal-suffrage elections, ending apartheid and making Nelson Mandela president. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Viljoen c. 1985 from a photograph a family member possessed, digitised. Unable to find similar images elsewhere. By Karsten buffalo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137241338
Jun 24, 1995 CE
Springboks win World Cup
South Africa hosts and wins the Rugby World Cup, with Mandela wearing a Springbok jersey in a celebrated gesture of reconciliation. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa By Leglo09 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37792466@N06/3675954217/in/photolist-6AQe7Z-6Fxufj-87P99x-a2G9dQ-9YPY1b-8bnLBw-6AiG1S-8f1iaG-8itJWV-8eX1sF-6wuV7B-5DjnzP-8cyepY-pxgJr8-8f1ij9-8bju1H-3Q3KH5-6xGkCi-8iuqGM-8iugje-7uthZP-8itWZn-8ixFVY-8ixhTQ-bXyrGb-8f1ieq-8ix6n1-8ixs8C-8iupzP-8iubZc-8iugZX-8iu6N2-6xGkeM-8itVyX-8iu9cM-8ixHrS-8ixaeC-8ixx5L-8itXJX-8itM5X-8ix5bQ-8iufwP-8iubsD-6xLtMy-8ixngG-8itW66-d7E3qA-8iu2x2-8itPjX-8iueMk, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48191718
May 8, 1996 CE
New constitution adopted
The Constitutional Assembly adopts one of the world's most progressive constitutions, enshrining extensive rights and freedoms. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Heraldic coat of arms of South Africa By Echando una mano - This SVG coat of arms includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this coat of arms:, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88784660
2008 CE
HIV/AIDS at peak
South Africa records one of the world's highest HIV prevalence rates, with an estimated 5.2 million people infected amid policy controversies. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
>15% 5 - 15% 2 - 5% 1 - 2% 0.5 - 1% 0.1 - 0.5% <0.1% Unknown By TapticInfo - HIV Epidem.png, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107211341
Jun 11, 2010 CE
FIFA World Cup kicks off
South Africa becomes the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup, a landmark event for the continent. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Flag of South África Used color: National flag | Mzansi Government and Pantone Color Picker green rendered as RGB 000 119 073Pantone 3415 C yellow rendered as RGB 255 184 028Pantone 1235 C red rendered as RGB 224 060 049Pantone 179 C blue rendered as RGB 000 020 137Pantone Reflex Blue C white rendered as RGB 255 255 255 black rendered as RGB 000 000 000 By Flag design by Frederick Brownell, image by Wikimedia Commons users - Per specifications in the Constitution of South Africa, Schedule 1 - National flag, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343749
Aug 16, 2012 CE
Marikana Massacre
Police kill 34 striking mineworkers at Lonmin's Marikana mine, the deadliest use of force by post-apartheid security forces. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
The Eastern Platinum Concentrator (EPC) of Lonmin platinum mine east of Marikana, North West, South Africa, as seen from Dewetsnek (14 km away) on the Magaliesberg. The townships of Modderspruit and Bapong are visible in the foreground. By JMK - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37642712
Dec 5, 2013 CE
Mandela dies
Nelson Mandela dies at age 95, prompting a global outpouring of grief and reflection on his legacy of reconciliation. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Kid lighting a candle at memorial outside Mandela Home By Mohamed Nanabhay - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30101335
Mar 23, 2020 CE
COVID-19 lockdown
South Africa implements one of the world's strictest national lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Source — Wikipedia, "South Africa":
Data computed from figures at https://github.com/dsfsi/covid19za. This is an estimate based on new cases over the last 14 days (3-day rolling average). Daily number of cases is noisy and the number of recoveries is particularly so. By Shaze - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92992250
