I originally compiled this timeline in 1999. Since then it has been copied and pasted by various Web sites - some without acknowledgement of the original source. I have since expanded on this timeline greatly, and continue to add to this work that will be published in book form.
1488
Bartolomeu Dias reaches beyond Mossel Bay, named Angra dos Vaqueiros - Bay of Cowherds - with reference to Khoikhoi herders seen on shore.
1497
Vasco da Gama rounds the Cape on way to India.
1503
Antonio de Saldanha lands at Table Bay.
06 April 1652
The first white settlers, led by Jan van Riebeeck, arrive in Table Bay onboard 3 Dutch ships.
The Cape Colony is governed by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) until 1795.
1654
Asian convicts brought to Cape as slaves.
1656
Catharina Anthonis, a slave born in Bengal, was the first slave to be freed, because Jan Woutersz wanted to marry her.
21 February 1657
Settlement in Liesbeeck Valley (now Rondebosch area) by first 9 free white burghers (citizens).
1657
Slaves imported from Madagascar and Java.
28 March 1658
38 male slaves and 37 female slaves from Angola, arrive in Table Bay aboard the Amersfoort.
May 1658
228 slaves from West African coast arrive in Table Bay aboard the Hasselt. About 80 are shipped to Batavia.
1659-1660
Armed Hottentots (Khoikhoi) resist Dutch seizure of land
1660
Almond hedge planted to protect the settlement from the Khoikhoi.
First horses arrive at the Cape from Batavia, circa 1660s.
May 1662
Jan van Riebeeck leaves the Cape for Malacca.
Zacharias Wagenaar appointed Governor of the Cape on 09 May.
1663
Outposts set up at Saldanha Bay and Hottentots-Holland.
1665
The first Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded at the Cape and the first minister appointed, Rev. J. van Arkel.
1666
Building of The Castle (or Fort) started in Cape Town.
Settlements in Saldanha Bay and Vishoek (Fish Hoek).
First Calvinist church built in Cape Town.
Cornelis van Qualbergen appointed Governor of the Cape in October.
1667
Indians arrive at the Cape.
1668
Jakob Borghorst appointed Governor of the Cape in June.
1670
Pieter Hackius appointed Governor of the Cape.
01 December 1671
Coenraad van Breitenbach appointed Governor of the Cape.
23 March 1672
Albert van Breugel appointed Governor of the Cape.
02 October 1672
Yobrand Godske appointed Governor of the Cape.
1673
Second Dutch-Khoikhoi War
02 Janusry 1676
Johan Bax (van Herenthals) appointed Governor of the Cape.
29 June 1678
Hendrik Crulax appointed Governor of the Cape.
1678
Settlement of Hottentots-Holland.
14 October 1679
Simon van der Stel appointed Governor of the Cape.
1679-88
Simon van der Stel expands the colony.
1679
Stellenbosch founded.
Castle in Cape Town is completed.
First farmers settle along the Eerste River.
1685
Simon van der Stel visits Namaqualand.
Commissioner Hendrik van Reede (VOC) decrees that male slaves can buy their freedom for 100 guilders on reaching the age of 25 years, provided that they have been confirmed in the Dutch Reformed Church and can speak Dutch.
The same conditions apply to female slaves, who can buy their freedom at age 22 years.
1686
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Stellenbosch (seceded from Cape Town).
1687
Settlements along Berg River (Drakenstein, Paarl).
April 1688 – 1689
Approximately 200 French Huguenots arrive at the Cape, settle mostly in Fransch Hoek.
1690-1699
First trekboers start moving.
1691
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Drakenstein and Paarl.
1698
Settlement of Wagenmaker's Vallei (Wellington).
11 February 1699
Willem Adriaan van der Stel appointed Governor of the Cape.
1700
Settlement in Land van Waveren (Tulbagh).
1701
Cattle raids by Khoisan (Hottentots and San) against Dutch.
03 June 1707
Johan Cornelis d'Ableing appointed Governor of the Cape.
01 February 1708
Louis van Assenburg appointed Governor of the cpae.
28 December 1711
Willem Helot appointed Governor of the Cape.
1713
Smallpox epidemic in the Cape, introduced from India, decimates Khoikhoi, kills many Whites.
28 March 1714
Maurits Pasques de Chavonnes appointed Governor of the Cape.
1717
System of freehold title to land ends, by which time about 400 farms granted.
1722
Groot Constantia is built.
08 September 1724
Jan de la Fontaine (provisional) appointed Governor of the Cape.
25 February 1727
Pieter Gysbert Noot appointed Governor of the Cape.
28 April 1728
Jan de la Fontaine (provisional) appointed Governor of the Cape.
08 March 1730
Jan de la Fontaine appointed Governor of the Cape.
1730
The VOC imports slaves from Mozambique and Zanzibar.
First trekboers reach George area, trek inland into Langkloof.
1732
Annual rental of a leningplaats doubled to 24 rixdollars.
Quitrent system of land tenure introduced.
1734
Great Brak River proclaimed eastern boundary of Cape.
14 November 1736
Adriaan van Kervel appointed Governor of the Cape.
20 September 1737
Daniel van den Henghel appointed Governor of the Cape.
01 April 1739
Hendrik Swellengrebel appointed Governor of the Cape. He was the first South African-born Governor. His father was a Russian from Moscow, in the service of the VOC, and his mother was Johanna Cruse, born in South Africa.
1743
First recorded Trekboer loan farms in Roggeveld.
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Roodezand (Tulbagh).
1745
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Swartland (Malmesbury).
1746
Swellendam is founded.
30 March 1751
Ryk Tulbagh appointed Governor of the Cape.
1754
First recorded San resistance to Roggeveld area Trekboers.
1755
Smallpox epidemic in the Cape.
Foundation stone of Old Town House in Cape Town is laid.
1760
Jansz Coetse, Klaas Barends and others cross Gariep River
1765
112 slaves from Madagascar arrive in Table Bay on board the Meermin.
1770-1799
Khoisan resistance to Trekboer occupation.
1771
Clashes between Trekboers and Xhosa begin as trekkers cross the Gamtoos River in the east
12 August 1774
Joachim Ammema, Baron van Plettenberg, appointed Governor of the Cape.
1774
Commando mounted against San, 503 killed and 241 captured.
1778
Colonial boundary extended to Buffels, Zak and Fish Rivers
1778-1779
Hendrik Jacob Wikar and Robert Jacob Gordon meet Khoikhoi, Geisiqua and Tswana groups along lower and middle Gariep which Gordon names Orange River in honour of the Netherlands Stadtholder
1780
First Frontier War between Xhosa and whites.
1782
First issue of paper rix dollars.
1783-1792
Le Vaillant and Van Reenen travel in Namaqualand and north of Orange River
14 February 1785
Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff appointed Governor of the Cape.
1786
Graaff-Reinet founded.
1789
Merino sheep imported from Holland.
1789-1793
Second Frontier War between Xhosa and Whites.
29 June 1791
Johannes Isaac Rhenius appointed Governor of the Cape.
02 September 1791
Abraham Josias Sluysken appointed the last Governor of the Cape under VOC rule.
1792
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Graaff-Reinet.
1792
Morovian Mission founded at Genadendal.
1795
Xhosa at Prieska
16 September 1795-1802
British occupy Cape on behalf of William of Orange. J. H. Craig appointed Governor of the Cape.
Slaves outnumber European settlers.
1795
Boer revolt against the VOC takes place in Swellendam and Graaff-Reinet.
On 29 January the Boer republic of Graaff-Reinet was declared, but on 12 November the British took the town back by force.
On 18 June the Boer republic of Swellendam was declared under Hermanus Steyn, but the British took it back later.
1796
Pieter Pienaar murdered by Jager Afrikaner at Hantam.
23 May 1797
Duke of MaCartney appointed Governor of the Cape.
1798
First Post Office.
Liquidation of Dutch East India Company.
First mosque in southern Africa established in Dorp Street by Tuan Guru.
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded at Swellendam.
1799-1802
Eastern Cape Khoikhoi revolt
22 November 1798
Lt.-Gov. Dundas appointed Governor of the Cape.
1799
18 December, Sir G. Young appointed Governor of the Cape.
First London Missionary Society (LMS) station at Zak River.
Fort Frederick built in Algoa Bay by British soldiers.
Third Frontier War between the Xhosa and Whites.
1800
First printing press in Cape Town.
Government Gazette started.
1801
Official expedition of Truter, Somerville, Barrow and Daniell - with missionaries Jan Matthys Kok and William Edwards - reaches Dithakong
William Anderson establishes mission at Aakaap and Klaarwater (later Griquatown).
Khoisan spelling book printed by LMS.
20 April, Lt.-Gov. Dundas appointed Governor of the Cape.
01 March 1803 – January 1806
Batavian Republic rules the Cape.
1804-1806
Heinrich Lichtenstein travels to Dithakong.
1804
Uitenhage founded.
10 January 1805
British retake the Cape following outbreak of Napoleonic Wars.
10 January 1806
Sir David Baird appointed Governor of the Cape.
1806
LMS station at Warmbad, Great Namaqualand.
First regular inland postal service.
1807
British ban slave trade, importation of slaves to the Cape ends.
17 January 1807
Lt.-Gen. Grey appointed Governor of the Cape.
22 May 1807
Duke of Caledon appointed Governor of the Cape.
1808
Clanwilliam founded.
1809
Gola's Xhosa community settles at Pramberg.
Severe drought in eastern frontier.
1811-1812
William John Burchell travels in the interior.
1811
Caledon and George founded.
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Caledon.
Regular circuit courts introduced.
05 July 1811
Lt.-Gen. Grey appointed Governor of the Cape.
06 September 1811
Sir John Francis Cradock appointed Governor of the Cape.
1811-1812
Fourth Frontier War between Xhosa and Whites.
1812
Cradock and Grahamstown founded.
1813
Rev. John Campbell conducts mission inspection in the interior.
Adam Kok's people assert the name Griqua.
Court proceedings opened to the public.
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in George (seceded from Swellendam).
02 November 1813
Lord Charles Henry Somerset appointed Governor of the Cape.
1814
The Cape Colony is formally ceded to Britain.
Mail packet service started between Britain and the Cape.
1815
Slagter's Nek Rebellion.
1816
Missionaries Read and Hamilton - with Hendriks, Kakkerlak and Sedras - establish Kuruman Mission (LMS).
Wesleyan Mission in Leliefontein.
1817
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Uitenhage.
Approximately 200 Scottish artisan immigrants brought to the Cape by Benjamin Moodie.
1818
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Cradock.
Settlement of land beyond Orange River.
Beaufort West founded.
1818-1819
Fifth Frontier War between Xhosa and Whites.
Grahamstown attacked.
1819
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Beaufort West and Somerset West.
1820
James Read produces first book in SeTswana.
Andries Waterboer elected Griqua Captain at Griquatown.
Port Elizabeth named by Sir Rufane Donkin.
Worcester founded.
1820-1821
Approximately 5000 British settlers arrive in Port Elizabeth as part of the 1820 Settlers immigration scheme, they are settled in the Eastern Cape.
1821
Robert Moffat, in Namaqualand from 1817, moves to Kuruman.
1822-1828
English becomes the official language of the Cape Colony.
01 July 1823
Lewis Broadbent born to the wife of the Methodist missionary Samuel Broadbent at Leeudoringstad, 16km from Wolmaranstad. Lewis later became a missionary to India.
1823
Battle of Dithakong - MaNthatisi repulsed by Tlhaping with help from Griquas.
Tswana to north and east heavily disrupted by Difaqane raids.
1823
Approximately 146 Irish settlers brought to the Cape by John Ingram.
1824
Bergenaar Rebellion.
George Thompson travels inland, names Augrabies Falls the Cataract of King George.
Construction of road through Fransch Hoek Pass.
First Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Mission station at Lovedale founded.
First lighthouse opened.
The Zulu king, Shaka, "grants, makes over and sells" Port Natal to Farewell and his companions.
1825
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Somerset East.
First steamship in Table Bay.
Depreciated rix dollar converted into British sterling.
The Anglican St. Mary's Collegiate Church started in Port Elizabeth.
The Jubilee Park Cemetery in Uitenhage in use circa 1825.
1826
Adam Kok II establishes Philippolis Griqua Captaincy.
Dutch Reformed Church congregations founded in Clanwilliam, Colesberg, Durbanville and Tijgerberg.
1828
Circa 1828, the Union Chapel (LMS - i.e. Congregational) in Port Elizabeth is founded, records start in 1831.
St. Mary's Cemetery started in Port Elizabeth circa 1828.
1830
Moffat's printing press transported to Kuruman by ox-wagon.
Full civil privileges granted to Roman Catholics in the Cape.
Colesberg founded.
Road over Sir Lowry's Pass opened.
1831
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Albany.
First publication of De Zuid Afrikaan (ons Land).
First issue of Grahamstown Journal.
1833
Dutch Reformed Church parish in Piquetberg (Piketberg) founded.
1833-1839
Approximately 750 juveniles brought to the Cape as apprentices.
21 December 1834 – September 1835
Sixth Frontier War between Xhosa and Whites.
1834
Berlin Mission Society establishes station at Bethulie.
The Anglican St. John's Church is built in Bathurst, but its burial records go back to 1823.
King William's Town founded.
Slaves officially freed but apprenticed for next 4 years.
Kommissie treks from Cape begins.
Port Natal renamed Durban.
1834-1835
Andrew Smith and artist Charles Davidson Bell travel in the interior.
1835-1836
Louis Trichardt, Hans van Rensburg and Andries Potgieter trek north.
1836
James Alexander travels through Namaqualand.
The Great Trek has reached the Transvaal and the Free State areas.
Potgieter's trekkers defeat Ndebele at the Battle of Vegkop.
1837
Piet Retief publishes his Manifesto.
Andries Potgieter and Piet Uys, helped by Rolong and Griqua tribes, defeat Ndebele at Mosega.
Louis Trichardt arrives in Lourenco Marques.
Seperate administrative districts granted to Port Elizabeth, Cradock and Colesburg.
28 March 1837
Piet Retief and his followers leave the Cape Colony.
February 1838
Piet Retief and his people are murdered by Dingaan's soldiers at Dingaan's kraal and Weenen.
16 December 1838
Battle of Blood River fought between Zulus and Boers.
1838
Russell Road (Hyman's Kloof) Cemetery established in Port Elizabeth.
Pietermaritzburg founded.
Boers establish Republiek of Natalia.
22 December 1838
Potchefstroom founded.
1839
Dutch Reformed Church parishes founded in Bredasdorp and Riversdale.
04 December 1838
The British occupy Port Natal.
1840-1849
Expansion of commercial wool farmers in Karoo transforms colonial economy.
Pedi migrate to work on Cape farms.
1840
The Anglican St. Katherine's Church is founded in Uitenhage.
Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in Wellington.
16 October 1840
Potchefstroom, Winburg and Natalia unifies as a single Boer republic.
1841
Missionary David Livingstone arrives in South Africa - proceeds to Kuruman before journeying through Central Africa.
Circa 1841, the Methodist Church founded in Port Elizabeth.
Trekkers council set up in Potchefstroom.
1842
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Prince Albert.
Dick King's horse ride from Durban to Grahamstown.
1842-1843
War between the British and the Boers in Natal.
1843
Natal annexed as a British Colony.
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Richmond.
April 1844
Boers from Natal settle at Potchefstroom, after crossing the Drakensberg Mountains.
1844
Land ownership is changed from leasehold to free hold.
Victoria West established.
Hendrik Potgieter settles at Delagoa Bay.
1845
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded at Mossel Bay ((seceded from George).
Ohrigstad founded.
Natal becomes autonomous district of Cape Colony.
Battle of Zwartkoppies.
Berlin Mission Society establishes station at Pniel.
1846
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Burgersdorp.
Bloemfontein founded.
1846-1847
Approximately 103 settlers arrive in Port Elizabeth from war-torn Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1846-1848
Seventh Frontier War between Xhosa and Whites, this war was also known as the War of the Axe.
1847
Colonial boundary extended to Orange River.
Rhenish Missionary Christoph Alheit moves to Schietfontein (Carnarvon).
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Calvinia.
Opening of Montagu Pass.
Sugar cane plantations started in Natal.
East London founded.
Districts of Victoria East and British Kaffraria annexed as part of the Cape Colony.
23 March 1848
Approximately 163 German settlers, known as the Bergthiel Settlers, arrive in Natal.
1848
Boers cross the Vaal River.
Orange River Sovereignty established.
Battle of Boomplaats.
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Napier.
Soutpansberg (later Schoemansdal) founded.
1849
Circa 1849 the first Jewish Congregation founded in Cape Town.
1849-1850
The Byrne Settlers arrive in Natal.
1850-1859
First Afrikaans book written by an imam (Muslim prayer leader) of slave descent.
1850
Wesleyan Settlers arrive in Natal.
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Namaqualand.
1850-1853
Eighth Frontier War.
1851
Sugar first produced from cane in Natal.
1852
The Transvaal Republic established on 17 January, after the signing of the Sand River Convention.
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Middelburg.
The New Church (Congregational / Presbyterian) established in Port Elizabeth.
Copper mining begins at Springbokfontein.
Wreck of the Birkenhead.
16 Mrach, reconciliation between Andries Pretorius and Hendrik Potgieter.
1853
Hopetown established.
Nicholas Waterboer succeeds as Griqua Captain.
Settlement of Queenstown and Seymour.
Union Steamship Line founded.
1854
Orange Free State Republic established on 23 February after the signing of the Bloemfontein Convention.
Dutch Reformed Church parishes established in Montagu and Queenstown.
First elected Cape Colony Parliament.
Sir George Grey, Portuguese-born Brit, appointed Governor of the Cape.
Boers defeat Ndebele at Makapansgat.
1855
Pretoria founded.
20 Irish miners arrive to work in the Namaqualand copper mines.
1856
The Anglican St. Paul's Church in Port Elizabeth founded.
Approximately 3000 Crimean War veterans (German Legionnaires) settled in Kaffraria, later joined by 2700 German civilians.
Dutch Reformed Church parish founded in Murraysburg.
Natal becomes a separate colony.
17 December, founding of the Boer republic of Lydenburg.
1856-1857
Self-destruction of Xhosa tribe by cattle-killing.
1856-1862
Approximately 700 juveniles arrive from Holland.
1857
Moffat completes Old Testament Bible translation into SeTswana.
Xhosa enter Karoo.
Approximately 157 Irish women arrive on the ship Lady Kennaway, settle in British Kaffraria.
First Legislative Council in Natal.
First mail contract with Union Steamship Company for regular mail service between Britain and South Africa.
06 January, induction of M.W. Pretorius, first President of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek.
1857-1862
Assisted immigration schemes bring about 12 000 settlers.
1858
Circa 1858, Jewish congregation founded in Port Elizabeth.
The Anglican Holy Trinity Church built in Port Elizabeth.
War between Orange Free State and Basuto tribe.
1859
Dopper Church leaves the Dutch Reformed Church.
First railway in South Africa commenced in Cape Colony.
1860
Boer republics north of Vaal unite as South African Republic with Pretoria as the capital.
Indians arrive in Natal to work on sugar cane farms as indentured labourers. Between 1860-1911 about 152 000 Indians arrive and about 50% stay.
First telegraph service in South Africa, between Cape Town and Simonstown.
Start of penny post in Cape Town.
Work begins on Table Bay Docks.
The Catholic St. Augustine's Church established in Port Elizabeth.
Circa 1860, the first Baptist Church started in Port Elizabeth.
1861-1862
Griqua trek under Adam Kok III from Philippolis to Nomansland.
1863
The Hill Presbyterian Church started in Port Elizabeth.
North End Cemetery started in Port Elizabeth.
1864
St. George's Cemetery established in Port Elizabeth.
1865-1866
Albania Settlement Scheme.
1865
Ostriches first domesticated.
1865-1866
Economic depression throughout South Africa.
War between Orange Free State and Basutos.
1866
India officially stops sending Indian labourers to Natal.
April 1867
21.25 carat diamond found near Hopetown.
1868-1869
Korana War along Orange River.
1869
Railway from Port Nolloth to O'Kiep.
Star of South Africa diamond discovered.
Gold and diamond rush starts.
1870-1871
The Anglican St. Peter's Church started in Port Elizabeth.
1870
Opening of Cape Town Docks.
1871
Diamonds found at New Rush (renamed Kimberley in 1873).
Britain annexes the diamond fields of Kimberley and Griqua West.
Griqua claim to Diamond Fields recognised, Waterboer seeks British protection.
Diamond mining stimulates migrant labour, two thirds of Black workers come from Limpopo valley.
Gold discovered in Eastern Transvaal.
First mail from Cape Town to the diamond fields.
1873
Griqualand West established as a British colony.
Gold discovered in Lydenburg district of Transvaal.
1873-1875
Approximately 3300 men, women and children arrive as agricultural settlers or labourers for public works.
1874
College founded at Stellenbosch (later Victoria College, today University of Stellenbosch).
Railway line opened from Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage.
1875
Black Flag Rebellion by White diggers at Kimberley.
Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners (Association for True Afrikaners) formed at the home of Gideon Malherbe in Paarl.
1876
First railway line in Natal.
1877
Native Locations for Tswana established in Griqualand West.
12 April, Shepstone annexes the ZAR for Britain.
10 May, Paul Kruger leads a deputation to Britain to demand the freedom of the ZAR.
Ninth Frontier War.
1878-1879
Griqualand West Rebellion, Korana War and Tswana Rebellion.
1878
Walvis Bay proclaimed British territory.
Telegraph service between Natal and Transvaal.
14 May, Paul Kruger leads second deputation to Britain to demand the freedom of the ZAR.
01 September 1879
Anglo-Zulu War starts, battles at Isandhlwana, Rorke's Drift and Ulundi.
1880
Griqualand West annexed to Cape Colony.
First Legislative Council in Transvaal.
Formation of De Beers Company.
Formation of the Afrikander Bond.
December 1880-1881
First Anglo-Boer War, Boers defeat Britain.
Battle of Laing's Nek, 28 January 1881.
Battle of Majuba, 27 February 1881.
21 March, declaration of peace with Britain at the house of O'Neill in northern Natal.
Britain recognizes South African Republic (ZAR).
1881-1882
Tswana-Kora wars with White mercenary involvement.
1882-83
Stellaland and Goshen republics declared.
1882
Abraham September (freed slave) begins Orange River irrigation.
Approximately 4645 settlers arrive.
South End Cemetery in Port Elizabeth started.
Use of Dutch recognised in Cape Parliament.
09 May, induction of Paul Kruger as President of ZAR.
1883-1890
Germans occupy South West Africa and German East Africa.
1883
Rev. Gwayi Tyamzashe, last black man to hold a claim in Kimberley mines, loses his claim.
1884-1885
Warren takes over Stellaland and Goshen, establishes Crown Colony of British Bechuanaland and Bechuanaland Protectorate.
1884
The Anglican St. Cuthbert's Church built in Port Elizabeth.
Barberton goldfields opened.
16 August, formation of the Republic of Vryheid in Natal.
1885
Railway line opened from Cape to Kimberley.
1886
Discovery of gold bearing rock at Ferreira's Camp, later to become Johannesburg.
1888
C.J. Rhodes amalgamates Kimberley mining companies as De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.
“Rudd concession” signed by Lobengula.
British South Africa Company founded.
1890
Pioneer Column of Rhodes's British South Africa Company departs from Kimberley to occupy Rhodesia.
Railway line reaches from Cape to Bloemfontein.
First railway line in Transvaal, from Johannesburg to Boksburg.
1892
Railway line to Johannesburg completed with connections from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London.
02 November 1894
Railway line between Lourenco Marques and Johannesburg opened.
1894
Glen Grey Act passed in Cape to control African labour and land.
1895
29 December, a force of about 500 men, under Jameson, raid into the Transvaal. It was resisted by the Boers and on 02 January 1896, Jameson surrendered at Doornkop.
The Pretoria-Delagoa Bay railway line opened by the South African Republic.
1896
Rinderpest epidemic.
16 December 1896
Railway line opened between Durban and Johannesburg.
1896-1897
Bechuanaland Campaign / Galeshewe's War begins at Phokwane and spreads to Langeberg.
1897
Zululand incorporated into Natal.
Railway line opened between Cape Town and Bulawayo.
11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902 The Second Anglo-Boer War:
13 October 1899: Boers invade Natal.
14 October 1899: Sieges of Mafeking and Kimberley started.
20 October 1899: Battle of Talana.
21 October 1899: Battle of Elandslaagte.
30 October 1899: Battle of Lombard's Kop. Siege of Ladysmith started.
23 November 1899: Battle of Belmont.
25 November 1899: Battle of Graspan.
28 November 1899: Battle of Modder River.
10 December 1899: Battle of Stormberg.
11 December 1899: Battle of Magersfontein.
15 December 1899: Battle of Colenso. Battle of Dundee.
Imperial Penny Postage adopted by Cape Colony
06 January 1900: Boers attack Ladysmith.
23-24 January 1900: Battle of Spion Kop.
05 February 1900: Battle of Vaal Krantz.
15 February 1900: Relief of Kimberley.
28 February 1900: Ladysmith relieved.
07 March 1900: Battle of Poplar Grove.
13 March 1900: Bloemfontein captured.
11 June 1900: Battle of Diamond Hill.
Burning of farms (scorched earth) policy authorised in July / August.
Amalgamation of Union and Castle Steamship Lines.
31 May 1902: Peace of Vereeniging signed, ending Second Anglo-Boer War.
1900
Sir Alfred Milner appointed Governor of the Cape Colony.
1901
Bubonic plague in Cape Town.
1901-1902
200 teachers arrive from England to teach in the British concentration camps, followed by 100 teachers from Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
1904
Chinese labourers recruited for the Transvaal mines.
1907
Asiatic Registration Act passed in Transvaal, Indians oppose it.
1908
Second Asiatic Registration Act passed in Transvaal, beginning of passive resistance campaigns.
1909
S.S. Waratah lost between Durban and Cape Town.
31 May 1910
Union of South Africa established by joining the British colonies and the Boer republics. Louis Botha appointed first Prime Minister of South Africa.
1910
Laying of foundation stone of Union Buildings in Pretoria.
17 May 1911
Census taken.
1913
Miners' strikes and riots on Witwatersrand.
Indian riots in Natal. March of Natal Indians into Transvaal.
Natives Land Act restricts black ownership of land.
1914-18
World War I starts. South Africa takes part.
1915
South West Africa and South Africa linked by railway line.
20 May 1916
First issue of the Huisgenoot magazine.
1918
Influenza epidemic with pneumonia.
May 1919
First issue of the Landbou Weekblad magazine.
1919
03 September, General Hertzog leades deputation to Versailles to demand restoration of the Boer republics.
Jan Christiaan Smuts appointed Prime Minister of South Africa.
10 November, Afrikanns used for the first time in Church.
1921
Diamond mines closed down in Kimberley, economic depression.
04 October 1922
Inauguration of Witwatersrand University.
1923
Platinum discovered in Waterberg district of Transvaal.
17 June 1924
General elections in South Africa. James Barry Munnik Hertzog appointed Prime Minister of South Africa.
1925
South Africa reverts to gold standard.
Afrikaans becomes the second official language, after English.
1930
White women receive the vote.
1932
Airmail service between South Africa and Britain started in January.
Wireless telephone communication established with Britain in February.
1933
South Africa House opened in London.
Afrikaans Bible issued.
1934
Union Airways acquired by government on 01 August 1936.
South African Broadcasting Corporation established.
1938
Great Trek Centenary celebrations.
1939-48
Jan Christiaan Smuts' second term as Prime minister of South Africa.
1939-45
World War II starts. South Africa takes part on the Allied side.
1941
South African Forces take Mega in Southern Abyssinia.
South African Forces arrive in Egypt in April.
1944
Heroic stand by South African Forces at Sidi Resegh in November 1944.
The black-out in Cape Town is suspended.
6th South African Armoured Division leads 8th Army offensive in Italy, South Africans were the first to enter Florence.
17 March 1945
South African Forces capture Monte Sole and Monte Caprara, which were barring entering into Bologna.
1945
34 people killed and 90 injured in explosion of the Grand Magazine in Pretoria.
Announcement made that as from the beginning of the war until 05 March 1945, more than 1500 South African soldiers were decorated, 2386 were mentioned in despatches and 330 were commended.
1948
Nationalist Government come to power, beginning of apartheid era. Daniel Francois Malan appointed Prime Minister.
1950
Korean War.
1958-66
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd serves as Prime Minister of South Africa.
21 March 1960
Sharpeville, police open fire on a crowd protesting against apartheid.
31 May 1961
South Africa becomes a republic and leaves the Commonwealth.
1965
Rhodesian UDI declared.
1975
South African Forces in Angola.
1976-1981
The homelands of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei are separated from South Africa and established as independent states.
1984
Coloureds and Asians given the vote.
02 February 1990
The start of repealing of apartheid laws.
27 April 1994
First general election in South Africa where every eligible citizen can vote. Nelson Mandela (ANC) voted in.
June 1999
Second democratic elections. Thabo Mbeki (ANC) voted in.