Zenzile Miriam Makeba, world renowned South African singer, was born in Johannesburg on March 4, 1932. She studied music for eight years at the Kilmerton Training Institute in Pretoria, South Africa and toured with amateur groups before beginning her professional career in 1954 with the … Read More … Read MoreMiriam Makeba (1932-2008)
Sol Plaatje, first Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) was born October 9th 1876. In addition to his political involvements, Plaatje was an interpreter, linguist, journalist and the first black South African novelist. Plaatje was raised in the Pniel mission station of the Lutheran … Read More … Read MoreSolomon Tshekisho Plaatje (1876-1932)
On May 9, 1994, Nelson Mandela was officially inaugurated as the first democratically elected President of South Africa chosen by the majority of the nation’s citizens. His inauguration address given at Cape Town, South Africa, appears below. Mr. Master of Ceremonies, Your Excellencies, Members of … Read More … Read More(1994) Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Address as President of South Africa
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, leader of the South African Anglican Church for ten years and campaigner against apartheid in South Africa, was born on October 7th, 1931 in Klerksdorp, South Africa. When he was 12 years old he moved to Johannesburg where Tutu attended the Johannesburg Bantu High School. He then trained as a teacher at … Read More … Read MoreBishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu (1931-2021)
Samora Machel, the first president of independent Mozambique, was born on September 29, 1933, in the village of Chilembene, in the Gaza Province of Mozambique. He was of the Shangana ethnic group and was born into a family of farmers. Machel attended a Catholic mission … Read More … Read MoreSamora Moises Machel (1933-1986)
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) Preamble We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe … Read More … Read More(1996) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
Omar Bongo was President of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009, over 42 years, and thus ruled longer than any other African leader. Bongo was born in the Beteke region of Gabon on December 10, 1935. He was the youngest of twelve children … Read More … Read MoreOmar/Albert-Bernard Bongo (1935-2009)
In 1990 the South African government released Nelson Mandela from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa after more than 28 years of incarceration including more than 20 years in South Africa’s most notorious prison, Robben Island. Here is the speech he gave in Cape … Read More … Read More(1990) Nelson Mandela, “We Have Waited Too Long For Our Freedom”
Clarence Eugene Page is a newspaper columnist, essayist, and political analyst. His syndicated column which specializes in urban issues appears in numerous newspapers across the United States. Page was born on June 2, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio to Clarence H. and Maggie (Williams) Page. Page’s … Read More … Read MoreClarence E. Page (1947- )
Soweto, an acronym for “South Western Townships,” is a grouping of townships scattered across twenty kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. A quintessential example of segregationist planning, Soweto initially was the result of mass evictions and evacuations of black residents of the city of Brickfields … Read More … Read MoreSoweto, South Africa (1904- )
