Suzman passes away Jan 2, 2009
Helen Suzman has a special place in South African history, being generally recognised as the most effective parliamentary fighter against the old National Party's apartheid policies when the NP was at the heyday of its power. For 13 years from 1961 to 1974 she was the sole representative in Parliament of the liberal Progressive Party, forerunner of the Democratic Party. (iAfrica.com)
'Smith's men better than Cronje's brigade' Dec 31, 2008
"This victory will rank as one of the greatest sporting moments in South African history. The two Test matches South Africa won have been incredible. It just showed the tremendous character of the team because in both the Tests there was no way they could win the game and they ended up winning both matches very comfortably," Procter said. "I know this team will be measured against the 1970s' side. Back then, we won every game pretty comfortably and there were no major problems. In these two... (India Times, India)
Breakaway challenges ANC rule Dec 17, 2008
He told the founding conference in Bloemfontein that the new party - which adopted a campaign slogan promising "a new agenda for hope and change" - had altered the path of South African history. "I hope that when history books are written all of you gathered here today will be remembered for your bravery and foresight to act decisively the minute you felt that our country was sliding on a downward path," he said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
South Africa: Motlanthe Hopes Country Can Open a Violence-Free Chapter Dec 10, 2008
Queenstown President Kgalema Motlanthe has called on South Africans to not only commit to ensuring that the rights of women and children are upheld but to open a new chapter in South African history which is free of violence. Marking the close of the campaign to end violence against women and children in the country at an event at the Mlungisi Township in Queenstown on Wednesday, President Motlanthe said: "This new era must place our women and the young as equal human beings and citizens that... (allAfrica.com)
Nationwide Boeings sold Dec 10, 2008
"Today's auction was the first time in South African history that Boeings were brought to the auction market," the company said in a statement. The airline went into final liquidation in November, almost a year to the day after an engine fell off a Nationwide 737-200 during take-off for Johannesburg from Cape Town International Airport. (iAfrica.com)
In South Africa, defectors seek to topple a legacy Nov 3, 2008
Indeed, this weekend may go down in South African history as a watershed, a time when 6,400 delegates from around the nation charted a new political course that loosened the ANC's grip. Then again, the movement might turn out to be a flop, a lot of batting of wings without any sustained takeoff. (International Herald Tribune)
New opposition party? Oct 14, 2008
Ebrahim Fakir: I think the complexity in South Africa and in South African politics and South African history if you will is that we have to separate pre-apartheid from post-apartheid history. In pre-apartheid history we then have to separate white South African politics from black South African politics. (Business Day)
Implats pushes deal for platinum giant Sep 15, 2008
The merger of Mvelaphanda, Northam and Implats would be the second-largest Msaction in South African history. Reuters reported on Friday that the largest M was the R223 billion merger in June 2001 between Billiton and BHP to form BHP Billiton. (Business Report, South Africa)
Curb Records Signs Popular South African Band Just Jinjer Aug 20, 2008
Just Jinjer's debut album, All Comes Round, holds the title as the biggest selling rock album in South African history. ADVERTISEMENT. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
SOUTH AFRICA: Rethinking asylum Aug 17, 2008
Figures recently obtained from the Department of Home Affairs by the South African History Archive, on behalf of the FMSP, revealed the extent of the influx of Zimbabweans into the country. Between 2000 and the end of 2004, 10,181 Zimbabweans applied for asylum, whereas 56,397 applied between January 2005 and 1 April 2008. (AlertNet)
Mbeki loses support Jun 24, 2008
But Piers Pigou,the director of the South African History Archive, says the "solidarity between liberation movements" theory is overblown, noting ZANU-PF was no great ally of the African National Congress in the apartheid era. Guardian News & Media. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Foundation works to ensure Mandela's name lives on Jun 15, 2008
Gail Behrmann, an independent researcher for books and films about South African history, praises the foundation as a democratic space. It allows room for debate, for example, about whether Mandela did enough during his presidency to combat AIDS Mandela himself says he should have done more. (USA Today)
Springbok Radio comeback Jun 14, 2008
The popular programmes of Springbok Radio, one of the most beloved and successful commercial radio stations in South African history, will shortly be back "on air". According to the Springbok Radio Preservation Society of SA, gems such as "Squad Cars", "Lux Radio Theatre", "Taxi", and "The Creaking Door" will take to the airwaves again when the society launches its full-fledged Internet radio service on 1 July. (iAfrica.com)
Christopher Nteta, 70, antiapartheid activist May 9, 2008
He taught as an adjunct at several other colleges, most recently Boston College, with course topics ranging from the civil rights movement to South African history. Asgedet Stefanos, an associate professor at UMass-Boston, reading in part from a reflection on Mr. Nteta that she read at his memorial service, said he was loved and respected by students, was an unwavering advocate for black students, and had an "exquisite sensitivity to those who were injured by social justice and a deep respect... (Boston Globe)
Political satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys makes his point through his many characters Apr 4, 2008
In 2005 she starred in Uys's "Foreign Aids," a revue about South African history and social and political problems, particularly the AIDS pandemic, a subject close to the crusading Uys's heart. For several years he has traveled around South Africa speaking to high school students to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.. (Boston Globe)
Law on retirees' side Mar 29, 2008
South African pensioners have had their fingers badly burned the R650-million Masterbond scandal that rocked the financial market in the early 1990s was the biggest corporate collapse in South African history. Thousands of elderly investors lost their lifelong savings in that participation bond scam. (iAfrica.com)
Dress up for winter| Mar 18, 2008
Some would have noticed the relation of the clothing again to the museum's collection of ostrich feather shawls, frilly overgarments and hyde-textured materials echoing South African history. Carrying on from the African theme, Tando Zamxaka's designs were afro-inspired with a touch of colonial. (iAfrica.com)
George Marsh Fredrickson, authority on racism; at 73 Mar 10, 2008
Mr. Fredrickson, who was the Edgar E. Robinson Professor of United States History at Stanford when he retired in 2002, wrote several highly regarded books, including "White Supremacy: A Comparative Study in American and South African History" (1981). A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, "White Supremacy" examined crucial similarities and differences in the development of apartheid in South Africa and the Jim Crow system of segregation in the American South. (Boston Globe)
See Celine Dion live| Feb 17, 2008
This is also the first time in South African history that an international artist performs at more than six outdoor stadia during a visit to the country. Tickets for these shows are available exclusively online at. (iAfrica.com)
* [ART JOURNAL] 'Generic creativity,' writ in warp and woof Jan 3, 2008
In moving images the charcoal becomes a tool that almost literally burrows through South African history and human consciousness. Similarly, his drawings, objects, films and shadow figures can work brilliantly for the illusory magic of set design, as his imaginative staging of Mozart's Magic Flute proved recently at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Economy growing at gathering pace Dec 18, 2007
"Since 2004 the growth rate has been over 4.5 percent every year including this year (2007). This is the first time in South African history that we have had four successive years of growth above 4.5 percent," the president told delegates at the ANC's 52nd National Conference in Polokwane. Mbeki said the country had exceeded its Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative (AsgiSA) growth target of over 4. (iAfrica.com)
Sino synergy Dec 17, 2007
If approved, the transaction, the largest foreign direct investment in South African history, will make the Chinese lender Standard Bank s single largest shareholder. More knowledge about China will be helpful to our work, Orphanides says. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
SAfrica's Mbeki hits back at ANC leadership conference Dec 16, 2007
"Since 2002 the economy has grown at a gathering pace ... Since 2004 it has been over 4.5 percent a year. This is the first time in South African history that we have had four successive years of growth above that 4.5 percent," he said. "Our movement has the appropriate policies to defeat poverty and underdevelopment and create a better life for all our people.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
At public service bargaining table, talking is in progress Oct 17, 2007
The council is supposed to meet in a few weeks to evaluate the longest public service strike in South African history and its implications for the body, which represents the government as employer as well as organised labour. The country's largest bargaining structure, covering more than 1 million workers, is responsible for negotiating issues that affect more than 35 percent of the national budget. (Business Report, South Africa)
3,000 Trapped in S. Africa Mine Oct 4, 2007
A company official, Lizelle du Toit, said the rescue attempt involved the largest number of trapped miners in South African history and said it should be wrapped up by lunchtime. She told South African radio that paramedics were underground to help those who still remained. (Fox News)
Rescue saves 1,500 miners Oct 4, 2007
The company said the rescue attempt involved the largest number of trapped miners in South African history but that the operation should be completed by midday. Paramedics have gone underground to help those still trapped. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
* Going Che's way? Sep 13, 2007
The question is whether the latest fashion is a sign the post-apartheid youth culture is embracing Biko's message of racial pride and African unity, or just crass commercialization of one of the most important figures in South African history. Biko died of a brain injury in a cell in Pretoria Central Prison on Sept. 12, 1977, after being beaten and tortured by apartheid police. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Biko Is Fashion Icon in South Africa Sep 11, 2007
The question is whether the latest fashion is a sign the post-apartheid youth culture is embracing Biko's message of racial pride and African unity, or just crass commercialization of one of the most important figures in South African history. Biko, 30, died of a brain injury in a cell in Pretoria Central Prison on Sept. 12, 1977, after being beaten and tortured by apartheid police. (Newsmax)
JSC meets Saturday over Hlophe Aug 4, 2007
Should the commission decide to do so, this will be the first time in South African history. In a statement on Friday, Langa said in his capacity as chairperson of the JSC that it was "inappropriate" for members of the JSC to comment on the merits of the matter or speculate on the outcome of deliberations while the matter was still under consideration. (iAfrica.com)
Relive some Madiba magic! Jul 18, 2007
Here are nine magic Madiba moments which we feel have not only shaped the course of South African history, but which have also given the public a glimpse of the man that is Nelson Mandela. 1964 Rivonia Trial: During the 1963-64 trial of 10 ANC leaders for 221 acts of sabotage, Mandela, facing the possibility of death, made the following historic statement. (iAfrica.com)
The strike is over Jun 30, 2007
The government's final wage offer was accepted by the majority of public-service unions on Thursday, bringing an end to the longest public-service strike in South African history. National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) president Noluthando Mayende Sibiya made the announcement at a press conference in Pretoria attended by all public-service unions. (Mail & Guardian Online)
The 'crippling' strike is over Jun 29, 2007
The majority of public service unions on Thursday agreed to sign government's final wage offer, ending the longest public service strike in South African history. Although teachers' unions, whose members were at the forefront of the strike, did not accept the deal, majority approval meant it would be implemented across the whole public service. (iAfrica.com)
Reviving the '76 spirit Jun 16, 2007
The 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising changed the course of South African history irrevocably. What started as a peaceful protest by between 15000 and 20000 scholars in Soweto against the decree of Afrikaans medium schooling, became a violent nationwide student protest against the apartheid regime. (iAfrica.com)
Strike in South Africa expands Jun 12, 2007
JOHANNESBURG -- Government and industry are bracing for the worst industrial action in South African history as private-sector unions prepare to join government workers on strike. The general strike, in its second week, has shut down most state schools and hospitals. (Washington Times)
Caring for history| Apr 11, 2007
How important is your knowledge of South African history. Fairly important, but not the only thing you have now. (iAfrica.com)
Bain's Edcon buyout likely to go ahead Mar 19, 2007
It is the biggest private equity buyout in South African history. Neill Young, a portfolio manager at Coronation Fund Managers, said it was difficult to call how foreign shareholders would vote, but all the same said: "I will be surprised if they vote against it.". (Business Report, South Africa)
Top execs in court for pension fraud Feb 27, 2007
The case is believed to be one of the biggest white-collar crime cases in South African history. The executives are accused of money laundering, fraud, theft, attempted fraud and attempted theft. (iAfrica.com)
South Africa: Aiming for Long-Term Security [opinion] Feb 22, 2007
So this budget was the first in modern South African history where the bottom line was in surplus. But it was also the one that began a process that will see SA introduce a universal contributory social security system by 2010. (allAfrica.com)
Killing of animals in South Africa opens racial divide Feb 14, 2007
Columnist Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya of the Mail and Guardian weekly wrote that the SPCA's objections "came over as a knee-jerk reaction, inspired by a colonial desire to educate the brutish natives. A bit of South African history would tell them that among black South Africans there has always been a perception that whites care more about animals than they do about black people.". Others, such as a columnist for the same paper, Drew Forrest, and animal activist Michele Pickover counter that many... (Boston Globe)
Cape Town mixes scenic marvels... Jan 12, 2007
In fact they are so informative that you would be able to teach a class on South African history and culture at the local college. Other areas worth visiting in the area are Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. (Korea Herald, Korea)
Mango slashes fares Jan 3, 2007
" Since its launch on 30 October last year, Mango has sold in excess of 500 000 tickets, making its launch one of the largest e-commerce events in South African history. "Mango has enjoyed massive support from South Africans," says ezuidenhout, "and it has made it possible for the airline to table more exceptionally affordable air travel opportunities. " The special offer is valid only for reservations made on or before 14 January 2007, and for travel during the period 15-31 January 2007. To... (iAfrica.com)
