1. South Africa History Timeline & Facts

2. Concise History of South Africa 3000BC - 1000BC Evidence of migration of people from Somalia and Ethiopia The Zulus, who belong to the Nguni-speaking peoples, constitute the majority of the population. Other tribes include the Khoi, San, and Xhosa

3. 0-1000 AD 400 AD - Migration of the Bantu peoples into South Africa 700 AD - Trade with the Arabs and Phoenicians in ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves

4. 1400-1600 Zulu and Xhosa tribes establish large kingdoms in the South Africa region 1480 - Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa 1652 - The Dutch establish the port of Cape Town. They are the first Europeans to settle in South Africa

5. 1800’s 1852 - The British take control of Cape Town. 1867 - Diamonds discovered at Kimberley 1886 - Gold is discovered in Johannesburg, making the city rich 1899-1902 Dutch settlers fight the British in the Boer War. Britain eventually gains control of South Africa

6. Gold is discovered in the 1880’s

7. Early 1900’s 1910 - South Africa becomes an independent nation. 1912 - Native National Congress founded, later renamed the African National Congress (ANC). 1913 - Land Act introduced preventing Blacks from purchasing land 1918 - RolihlahlaDalibhunga Mandela is born on July 18 in a small village in South Africa. A teacher later gives him the English name Nelson.

8. 1950’s 1948 - Apartheid is introduced. Laws legally and physically separate different racial groups 1950 - Group Areas Act passed to segregate black and white people 1950 – 1952 The African National Congress (ANC) led by Nelson Mandela initiates a civil disobedience. Defiance of Unjust Laws as a protest against apartheid

9. 1960’s 1960 - In the town of Sharpeville, 67 Africans are killed while protesting Apartheid. 1961 - South Africa declared a republic 1962 - Mandela is arrested for plotting against the government. Though he stays active politically, he will spend 27 years in prison. 1964 - Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment

10. 1970 – 1980 1970's- 1980's Civil unrest, sanctions imposed on South Africa, forced resettlement process and Township revolts. More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands’ Black protesters are killed in an uprising in Soweto

11. 1990-1991 1990 - President F.W. de Klerk announces the end of apartheid. 1990 - Nelson Mandela released from prison after 27 years. 1991 - De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws and international sanctions are lifted President F.W. de Klerk

12. 1995-1996 1993 - De Klerk and Mandela are jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 1994 - South Africa holds its first elections in which all races can vote.

13. 1994Nelson Mandela is elected President

14. 1995-1996 1995 - South Africa hosts and wins the World Cup soccer tournament. 1996 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission begins hearings on human rights crimes committed by former government and liberation movements during apartheid era.

15. 1996 - 1999 1996 - Parliament adopts new constitution. National Party withdraws from coalition, saying it is being ignored. 1998 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission report brands apartheid a crime against humanity and finds the ANC accountable for human rights abuses. 1999 - Mandela steps down as President

16. 2000 - 2008 Thabo Mbeki is the voted to be the next president He denies HIV causes AIDS Prevalence rates rise to 30%, among the highest in the world

17. 2008-2009 Jacob Zuma is elected president South Africa continues construction of stadiums and roads to prepare for 2010 World Cup Soccer Tournament