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The Beginning of the Apartheid
The election of the Nationalist Party in 1948 marked the beginning of legalized racism's harshest features called Apartheid. The Apartheid made it illegal for South African citizens to pursue interracial relations. -
Reference Book Law
In 1952 the government made a law that required all African males over the age of 16 to carry a “reference book” containing personal information and employment history. -
Defiance Campaign Protest Against Laws
Protest against these humiliating laws fueled the anti-apartheid struggle, from the Defiance Campaign. -
Women's Protest in Pretoria
The marchers' aims were to protest the introduction of the Apartheid pass laws for black women in 1952 and the presentation of a petition to the then Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom. -
Burning of Passes
In 1960 there was a burning of passes at the police station in Sharpeville where 69 protesters were massacred. Nelson Mandela burned the pass that all black South Africans were required to carry under the apartheid regime. -
Creation of "The Spear of the Nation"
Around 1961, Mandela and the rest of the defendants are acquitted of the high treason charge. He goes underground and creates “The Spear of the Nation” (Umkhonto we Sizwe), an armed wing of the ANC, from which he becomes commander and chief. -
Rivonia Trial
Rivonia trial- Mandela and other ANC members sentenced to life imprisonment. -
Violent Clashes
More than 600 killed in violent clashes between black protesters and security forces during uprising which starts in Soweto. Head of Soweto Student Representative Council (SSRC) and Black consciousness leader Steve Biko killed in police custody. -
Fight Between ANC and Zulu Movement
Multi party talks begin. De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws, international sanctions lifted. Major fighting between ANC and Zulu Inkatha movement. -
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu begins hearings on human rights abuses committed during the apartheid era by former government and liberation movements.