South Africa

  • Nov 27, 1480

    Portuguese navigator, first European

    Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa
  • Settlement of South Africa starts

    Jan van Riebeeck, working for the Dutch East India Company, founds the Cape Colony at Table Bay and Dutch settlement of South Africa starts
  • First sign of threat

    When nine men, released from their contracts, were given land to farm
  • British forces

    British forces seize Cape Colony from the Netherlands.
  • Boers leave Cape Colony

    Boers leave Cape Colony in the 'Great Trek' and found the Orange Free State and the Transvaal.
  • Diamonds

    Diamonds are discovered at Kimberley
  • The British and the Boers

    The British and the Boers defeat the Zulus in the Zulu War
  • The Boer War

    The Boers rebel against the British
  • Union of South Africa

    Formation of Union of South Africa by former British colonies
  • National Party founded.

  • Secret Broederbond

    Secret Broederbond(brotherhood) established to advance the Afrikaner cause.
  • Policy of apartheid

    Policy of apartheid adopted by the National Party (NP)
  • A republic

    South Africa declared a republic
  • life imprisonment

    Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment
  • ANC wins

    ANC wins first non-racial elections. Mandela become president