Author: Castro Khwela

1984-1990 / African liberation movement / African National Congress (ANC) / National Executive Committee (NEC) / Negotiations / South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s) / South African Defence Force’s (SADF)

The ANC Reacts to De Klerk’s Ground-breaking Speech

On 3 February 1990, speaking in Lusaka on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC) President Oliver Tambo, member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Pallo Jordan, mentioned that “the…

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February 3, 2025

1969-1974 / African liberation movement / African National Congress (ANC) / FRELIMO / Pan Africanism / South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s)

Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane is Assassinated

On 3 February 1969, a book containing a bomb was sent to Eduardo Mondlane at the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It exploded when he…

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February 3, 2025

1984-1990 / African National Congress (ANC) / Battles / Cuito Cuanavale / National Executive Committee (NEC) / Negotiations / South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s) / South African Defence Force’s (SADF)

F.W. de Klerk Ground-breaking Announcement on 2 February 1990

On 2 February 1990, apartheid President F.W. de Klerk made a trailblazing announcement to release Nelson Mandela and unban the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), the…

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February 2, 2025

1984-1990 / African National Congress (ANC) / Sanctions / South African Defence Force’s (SADF)

PW Botha Resigns as National Party Leader

On 2 February 1989, apartheid State President P.W. Botha announced his intention to resign the National Party presidency while remaining State President, after suffering a mild stroke, on 18 January.…

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February 2, 2025

1984-1990 / African National Congress (ANC) / Quotes of inspiration

Arts, Culture and the Revolution

“WE CHARGE OUR CULTURAL WORKERS WITH THE TASK OF USING THEIR CRAFT TO GIVE VOICE, NOT ONLY TO GRIEVANCES, BUT ALSO TO THE PROFOUNDEST ASPIRATIONS OF THE OPPRESSED AND EXPLOITED.”…

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February 2, 2025

1979-1983 / African liberation movement / African National Congress (ANC) / Apartheid Police / South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s) / South African Defence Force’s (SADF)

Steyn Commission’s Total Strategy into the Mass Media

On 1 February 1982, the official Commission of Inquiry into the mass media, appointed in June 1980, under the chairmanship of Justice M. Steyn, tabled its report. The “Steyn Commission”…

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February 1, 2025

1969-1974 / African liberation movement / Apartheid Police / Pan Africanism

Abraham Onkgopotse Tiro

On 1 February 1974, when Abraham Ramothibi Onkgopotse Tiro opened a parcel at the house where he was living in St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Mission in Khale, eleven kilometres south…

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February 1, 2025

1979-1983 / African National Congress (ANC) / Apartheid Police / Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK)

MK Natal Urban Machinery Operatives Betrayed

On 31 January 1980, Grant Shezi and Jeremia Radebe of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Natal Urban Machinery, approached Inanda Seminary, north of Durban, for a meeting with the contact…

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January 31, 2025

1984-1990 / African National Congress (ANC) / National Executive Committee (NEC) / Negotiations / Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK)

PW Botha’s Offer to Nelson Mandela

On 31 January 1985, faced with trouble at home and pressure from abroad, the apartheid State President PW Botha offered a tepid, halfway measure for Mandela’s freedom. In a debate…

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January 31, 2025

1979-1983 / African National Congress (ANC) / Apartheid Police / Battles / FRELIMO / South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s) / South African Defence Force’s (SADF) / Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK)

Natal Urban Machinery Ordnance Chief: Krishna “Goodwin” Rabilal

Towards the end of 1980, the apartheid South African security forces devised a plan (codenamed “Operation Beanbag”) for a simultaneous attack on African National Congress (ANC) properties in Swaziland and…

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January 30, 2025