istoryworld
Events relating to south africa
The MPLA, controlling the capital but not the country, declares itself the government of newly independent Angola
UNITA and the FNLA join forces to set up a rival Angolan government at Huambo, in the south of the country
Portuguese East Africa becomes independent as Mozambique, with Frelimo as the only political party
In Angola the USA and USSR fund rival guerrilla groups, MPLA and UNITA
Cuban troops, sent by Castro to Angola, clash with South African forces attempting to combat communism
A guerrilla movement, with Rhodesian backing, launches a long civil war against Frelimo in Mozambique
Hundreds of deaths and casualties result from police firing on a demonstration by schoolchildren in the black township of Soweto
Steve Biko, founder of Black Consciousness, dies of head wounds received in police custody in Pretoria
The first multiracial elections held in Rhodesia are won by bishop Abel Muzorewa
A conference in London, at Lancaster House, finally achieves agreement on Southern Rhodesia
Rhodesia becomes independent, taking the name Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe as prime minister
South African novelist J.M. Coetzee publishes The Life and Times of Michael K, and wins the Booker Prize
Desmond Tutu, rector of an Anglican church in Soweto, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Western nations finally impose sanctions on South Africa in response to apartheid
Desmond Tutu is the first black African to be archbishop of Cape Town
The film Cry Freedom, directed by Richard Attenborough, tells the story of Steve Biko, killed in police custody in South Africa
A cease-fire withdraws Cuban troops from Angola and South African forces from Angola and Namibia
Frederik Willem de Klerk, promising reform, wins a whites-only South African presidential election
South African president F.W. de Klerk announces his radical intention to end apartheid
Nelson Mandela is given an ecstatic reception on his release after twenty-six years in prison on Robben Island, near Cape Town
Namibia becomes independent with Sam Nujoma as president
Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi transforms Inkatha into a political party, the Inkatha Freedom Party
Another cease-fire in Angola's bitter civil war brings another brief period of peace
Multiparty elections in Zambia result in a massive defeat for the long-serving president, Kenneth Kaunda
The New York company Dance Theatre of Harlem tours South Africa, with the slogan 'Dancing Through Barriers'
