This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.
1990
Nelson Mandela is released from prison.
27 townships declared unrest areas in terms of the Public Safety Act No 3 of 1953.
Gazankulu: Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act No 6:
Commenced: 25 March 1991
QwaQwa: Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act No 6:
Commenced: 4 March 1988
Commission of Inquiry into the Death of Clayton Sizwe Sithole Mandate: To investigate the circumstances surrounding the death in detention of Clayton Sizwe Sithole on 30 January 1990.
Date of Report: 20 February 1990
Chair: GOLDSTONE, R.J.
Ref: S297/143 (E)
Commission of Inquiry into Certain Alleged Murders Mandate: To inquire into and to report on certain alleged murders and other unlawful acts of violence committed in the Republic of South Africa (including self-governing territories). If such murders and acts of violence are found to have occurred, to investigate what bodies and organisations were responsible for these acts. The mandate was extended to include an investigation into and report on the allegation that one Anton Lubowski was a paid agent of the SADF: Military Intelligence Section.
Date of Report: September 1990
Chair: HARMSE, L.T.C.
Ref: RP 108-90 (A); RP 109-90 (E); S297/151 (A); S297/152 (E).
Commission of Inquiry into the Salvage on the 'An Hung No. 1' and Related Matters
Mandate: To investigate and report on the effectiveness of existing measures and their application with regard to the salvage of the stranded fish trawler 'An Hung No. 1' and its cargo, and to make recommendations accordingly.
Date of Report: 2 October 1990
Chair: DE BEER, J.
Ref: RP 104/1990
South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) is formed.
The government puts forward the 'Clase Models', which set out the conditions under which white state schools can admit black students.
Patricia De Lille appointed foreign secretary and relief and aid secretary of PAC.
Lindiwe Sisulu returns to South Africa and begins works as personal assistant to Dr Jacob Zuma.
Ruth Mompati is part of a delegation that opens talks with South African Government
Baleka Kgositsile returns to South Africa,after which she is elected Secretary General at first national conference of ANC Women's League.
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi returns from exile at request of CPSA. She resumes work as personal assistant to Joe Slovo and Chris Hani.
Barbara Hogan released from prison.
Gill Marcus returns from exile, and takes up post in ANC's Department of Information and Publicity.
January 1990
Eight veteran ANC leaders, together with the leader of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) meet the external hiearchy of the ANC in Lusaka.
15 January 1990
Accedes to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
25 January 1990
Extracts of a document written by Nelson Mandela in anticipation of a meeting with President P.W. Botha in the beginning of 1989, is published by a Cape Town newspaper.
February 1990
the regime is forced to remove the ban on the ANC and other organisations.
2 February 1990
At the opening of Parliament, President F.W. de Klerk unbans the ANC, the Pan African Congress, the South African Communist Party and thirty three internal political organizations which includes the United Democratic Front.
2 February 1990
President F. W. de Klerk made a speech at the opening of Parliament, announcing among other measures, the lifting of a 30-year ban on the ANC, the PAC and other anti-apartheid organisations, the suspension of the death sentence until further review, the release of some political prisoners and the partial lifting of restrictions on the media and on some detainees.
2 February 1990
Mr. Frederik Willem de Klerk made a speech at the opening of Parliament, announcing among other measures, the lifting of a 30-year ban on the ANC, the PAC and other anti-apartheid organisations, the suspension of the death sentence until further review, the release of some political prisoners and the partial lifting of restrictions on the media and on some detainees.
5 February 1990
The extreme right has reacted with anger to the reforms by Mr. de Klerk. One black was killed in the town of Klerksdorp and the United Kingdom Embassy in Pretoria was attacked.
11 February 1990
Nelson Mandela, leader of the ANC, freed after twenty-seven years in jail.
21 February 1990
The Star newspaper reported that Defence Minister, Magnus A. Malan, knew as early as 1987 of a secret "hit squad" made up of police officers which was used to kill opponents of apartheid. The allegations pose a growing embarrassment to Mr. de Klerk, who faces demands for the dismissal of the Defence Minister. In a related development, the activities of the Civil Cooperation Bureau, the military unit involved in the assassinations, were suspended pending the outcome of a judicial inquiry. The Minister also revealed that Anton Lubowski, the SWAPO white official killed by assassins in Windhoek last September, was an agent of the South African Defence Force.
24 February 1990
More than 100,000 persons attended a rally in Durban addressed by Nelson Mandela, who urged his followers to end the factional warfare that has taken more than 2,500 lives in the last five years in the Natal region.
27 February 1990
Nelson Mandela meets ANC officials in Lusaka.
March 1990
Violence erupts in South Africa's 'homelands'. Ciskei falls in a military coup.
2 March 1990
The African National Congress (ANC) elected Nelson Mandela as Deputy President of the organisation. it also announced its decision to move its headquarters from Lusaka to Johannesburg as soon as possible.
4 March 1990
Several hundred political prisoners began a hunger strike at Robben Island, the country's highest-security prison, to demand that President de Klerk release them under a general amnesty.
Military officers headed by Brig. Oupa Gqozo overthrew the leader of the "independent homeland" of Ciskei, Lennox L. Sebe, while he was in Hong Kong. Brig. Gqozo and three other officers have formed and executive committee to run the administration with civilian help, "until a society based on democratic principles can be established". South African authorities sent troops, at the request of Brig. Gqozo, to restore order.
5 March 1990
According to US Business in South Africa 1990, published by the Investor Responsibility Research Centre (IRRC), despite the fact that 201 USA companies have disinvested from South Africa since 1 January 1984, 123 remain there together with 177 from the UK and 142 from the FRG.
10 March 1990
Proclamation No 4:
Gave the President power to make emergency regulations and to govern the state of emergency which had been declared in some districts under Proclamation 3 of 1990.
Commenced: 10 March 1990
14 March 1990
In an exclusive interview with "The Herald", the ANC military commander Joe Modise, stated that the organisation could consider the suspension of the armed struggle but not the laying down of arms, to facilitate negotiations.
15 March 1990
Major cabinet portfolio changes are made to co-ordinate economic policy and constitutional negotiations.
16 March 1990
It was announced that talks between Government officials and an ANC delegation led by Nelson Mandela would open in Cape Town on 11 April. The talks are intended to discuss obstacles to the process of negotiations.
20 March 1990
Independence of Namibia.
20 March 1990
After 75 years under South African control, Namibia became independent and Mr. Sam Nujoma, leader of the South West Africa People's Organisation, was sworn in as the country's first President by the United Nations' Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar.
22 March 1990
After a meeting in Cape Town with President de Klerk, the Secretary of State James Baker 3rd said Mr. de Klerk had told him that his Government was engaged in an "irreversible process that we (the South African Government) will follow to its logical conclusion."
Authorities ordered an inquiry into the funding of the Civil Co-operation Bureau, a secret military unit, accused of political assassinations.
26 March 1990
Police opened fire on anti-apartheid protesters in the township of Sebokeng, near Johannesburg, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 380. The protest was organised against high rents and racially segregated local facilities.
Mr. Piet Clase, Minister of Education for whites, announced that the regime had decided to abandon the principle of segregated state education. From January 1991, white state schools will be allowed to accept black children, provided that a majority of the parents of such schools give their consent.
28 March 1990
Six black political prisoners who would have been freed at the end of the year have been released from Robben Island prison, increasing to 22 the number of prisoners released since the end of the 11-day hunger strike at that prison.
31 March 1990
The ANC decides not to hold talks with the South African government scheduled for 11 April, due to the killing of defenceless demonstrators in Sebokeng. Meeting between Nelson Mandela and Chief Buthelezi of the Inkatha Freedom Party, is also called off.
31 March 1990
The ANC announced that it was suspending plans to attend the scheduled talks with the Government in protest against the shooting by the police of demonstrators in the township of Sebokeng.
1 April 1990
KwaNdebele: Traditional Authorities Amendment Act No 7:
Commenced: 1 April 1990
4 April 1990
Signs bilateral monetary agreement with the government of Namibia.
5 April 1990
The Venda homeland falls in a military coup.
5 April 1990
At an informal meeting in Cape Town, President F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela agreed to reschedule formal talks between the Government and the African National Congress (ANC). The talks will be held from 2 to 4 May.
A military coup d'etat took place in the "independent homeland" of Venda. The coup, apparently bloodless, was the second in five weeks after the one in Ciskei. Coup leader Colonel Gabriel Ramushwana announced that he would manage the area's affairs until it is re-incorporated into South Africa.
6 April 1990
Signs agreement with Togo regarding wildlife management in the Keran National Park.
9 April 1990
South Africa:Signs memorandum of understanding amending the Customs Union Agreement of 1969.
14 April 1990
Nelson Mandela admitted that members of the ANC had tortured dissident guerillas, but said the officials involved had been punished and any further torture had been banned.
18 April 1990
In a parliamentary speech, President de Klerk rules out any possibility of black majority rule.
18 April 1990
F.W. de Klerk announced the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice Richard Goldstone, into the police killing of 17 peaceful demonstrators at the township of Sebokeng.
20 April 1990
Stating that the arms would be used in a white "counter-revolution", members of a far-right group stole from Air Force Headquarters in Pretoria a small arsenal, including machine-guns and R-1 and R-4 rifles.
25 April 1990
Testifying before the Harms Commission, which was taking testimony at the South African Embassy in London, former police captain Dirk Coetzee, now a member of the ANC, said that he oversaw the 1981 killing by the secret police of black activist Sizwe Kindile and of the human rights lawyer Griffiths Mxenge.
27 April 1990
Senior ANC leaders such as Joe Slovo, Thabo Mbeki and others, return to South African after a quarter of a century in exile.
May 1990
Government admits to failure of its 'homeland' policy and that those
'homelands' will be reintegrated into South Africa.
ANC launched a national membership drive, with membership fee of 12 rand a year.
2 May - 4 May 1990
The Groote Schuur talks take place between the South African government and the ANC. They reach agreement on conditions for full-scale negotiations on ending political conflict in South Africa.
The South African Government and the ANC held their first preliminary talks with both sides expressing hopes for peace and for an end to apartheid.
4 May 1990
At the end of their talks, the ANC and the South African Government issued a joint statement, entitled "the Groote Shuur Minute", according to which a working group was established to address the issue of the release of political prisoners. The Group was scheduled to complete its work before 21 May. In addition, temporary immunity from prosecution would be considered for selected members of the ANC and the Government would seek to modify its security legislation to adapt it to the new situation developing in South Africa, and it would work towards the lifting of the state of emergency. Both parties pledged once again to try and put an end to the "existing climate of violence and intimidation" and reiterated their "commitment to stability and to a peaceful process of negotiations". Efficient channels of communication would be established between the Government and the ANC.
6 May 1990
P.W. Botha resigns from the National Party in protest against President F.W. de Klerk's reform proposals.
7 May 1990
The Indemnity Bill of 1990, which allows exiles to be granted temporary immunity or permanent indemnity against arrest or prosecution, was passed by 105 votes to 33 at a joint-sitting of the South African Parliament. Only the Conservative Party opposed it.
8 May 1990
President F.W. de Klerk tours nine European countries.
9 May 1990
Nelson Mandela begins a six-nation African tour.
16 May 1990
Government officials announced plans to abolish racial segregation in state hospitals. Some state-funded hospitals are reserved for whites only while others are divided into sections for blacks and whites. A small percentage are integrated. Most of the white population will feel little immediate effect from the measure as almost 90 per cent of them use private hospitals and clinics which are generally too expensive for blacks.
17 May 1990
An Anti-Apartheid Movement Rally was held in London in protest against the visit to the United Kingdom of President de Klerk. Among the speakers at the rally were Lt. Gregory Rockman, the former officer of the South African Police, who was dismissed after speaking out against the brutality of the apartheid security forces. Lt. Rockman is now the National President of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Unions, which organises black policemen and prison wardens.
18 May 1990
South Africa:Signs agreement with Namibia concerning the appointment of representatives and privileges and immunities for representatives and their staff.
18 May 1990
Five prison guards declared that they would continue their sit-in at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany until more than 600 colleagues were reinstated. The five are among 650 prison guards who were suspended without pay in March after they joined the "illegal" Police and Prison Civil Rights Union. Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee announced that 400 of the guards could resume work, but that the prison service would continue to bar unionisation in the police force.
18 May 1990
Indemnity Act No 35:
Granted temporary or permanent indemnity against prosecutions for exiles returning to South Africa.
Commenced: 18 May 1990
Repealed by s 48 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act No 34 of 1995.
21 May 1990
The Government's Custom and Excise office announced that South Africa's trade surplus widened to R969 million in April from R872 million a year earlier.
The Government and the ANC received the report on procedures for releasing political prisoners which were drafted by the joint working group set up at Groote Schuur. There were indications that the report included a plan to grant amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles. The working group will now turn to other issues, including the repatriation of 22,000 exiled ANC members.
2 June 1990
ANC Deputy President Mr. Nelson Mandela and State President F.W. de Klerk held discussions in Pretoria on the progress which has been made in the implementation of the Groote Schuur Minute and on the need to use effective mechanisms to reduce the level of police violence in the country.
4 June 1990
Nelson Mandela leaves South Africa for a thirteen-nation international tour.
5 June 1990
The Chairman of the Venda Council for National Unity, Colonel Gabriel Ramushwana, announced the lifting of the state of emergency and the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venda.
6 June 1990
Police detained three whites for questioning in connection with a hand grenade attack on 24 May against the Melrose House Museum near Pretoria. One of the three is said to be a member of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement. Police was still seeking right- wing extremist Piet "Skiet" (Shoot) Rudolph who claimed responsibility for the attack and who warned the media that this was the first step in a white backlash against President de Klerk's reforms.
7 June 1990
In a statement to a joint session of Parliament, President F. W. de Klerk, announced that the four-year old state of emergency would be lifted at midnight on 8 June in three of South Africa's four provinces, with the exception of Natal and the homeland of Kwazulu. The security forces would be expanded in Natal, he said, "to maintain order and stability". He also announced the release of 48 political prisoners.
8 June 1990
National State of Emergency is to be lifted with the exception of Natal.
8 June 1990
Countrywide state of emergency lifted; partial emergency declared in Natal. Wide-ranging powers of arrest and detention remain in place.
9 June - 19 June 1990
A United Nations team, led by Mr. Abdulrahim A. Farah, Under-Secretary-General, visited South Africa to meet representatives of the Government, political parties and organisations to gather factual information on recent measures taken and proposals made for bringing about an end to the apartheid system. [The text of its report was annexed to the first report of the Secretary-General on progress made in the implementation of the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, A/44/960.]
19 June 1990
South Africa:Signs trade agreement with the government of the Republic of Malawi.
19 June 1990
Mr. Farah stressed, at a press conference in Pretoria, the need for a series of confidence-building measures that could reduce the political violence and increase the level of trust and understanding among all parties and between the people and the Government.
19 June 1990
Upon the departure of the United Nations team from South Africa, Under-Secretary-General, Abdulrahim Farah, at a press conference in Pretoria, said that the important policy initiatives announced by President de Klerk were warmly welcomed by all the organisations that met with the team. Stating the concern of many in South Africa over the alarming degree of violence in parts of the country, he expressed the need for a series of confidence building measures that could reduce the political violence and increase the level of trust and understanding among all parties and between the people and the Government. He reiterated the United Nations support for an end to the apartheid system through negotiations.
20 June 1990
Second Public Security Amendment, Decree No 10:
Prohibited any demonstration or gathering of people without the written consent of the magistrate of that district.
Commenced: 20 June 1990
22 June 1990
Offices of the Minister of National (Black) Education, Stoffel van der Merwe, and that of Deputy Consitutional Development Minister, Rolf Meyer, are bombed by white far-right wing members.
22 June 1990
Nelson Mandela addressed the Special Committee against Apartheid in New York, saying that nothing which had happened in South Africa called for a revision of the position that the Organisation had taken in its struggle against apartheid. He urged the United Nations to do everything in its power to maintain the consensus it had achieved when it adopted the Declaration on Apartheid in December 1989.
22 June 1990
Nelson Mandela addressed the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in New York, saying that nothing which had happened in South Africa called for a revision of the position that the Organisation had taken in its struggle against apartheid. He urged the United Nations to do everything in its power to maintain the consensus it had achieved when it adopted the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa in December 1989.
2 July 1990
A week long labour stayaway, organized by the ANC and its allies, begins in protest against factional black violence in Natal.
2 July 1990
According to a press statement released by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), about three million workers stayed away from their job for one day following a call made by COSATU, UDF and the African National Congress (ANC) for a week of action to pressure the Government into ending the violence in Natal.
6 July 1990
The right wing bomb campaign continues when a powerful bomb explodes in Johannesburg, injuring twenty-seven people.
6 July 1990
The ANC condemned the "tolerant attitude the South African authorities have adopted to the violent activities of far-right and fascist groups" after a bomb exploded in a Johannesburg bus and taxi terminal, wounding more than 25 persons. An extreme-right group called "the White Wolves" claimed responsibility for five other bombings carried out during the previous days, including one against a liberal politician and another one against a synagogue.
8 July 1990
Thousands of Alexandra townships residents attended the funeral of activist Meshack Kunene. He was killed by security police on 30 June during a welcome rally for the ANC Secretary-General, Mr. Alfred Nzo.
14 July 1990
Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, leader of the Zulu Inkatha Movement, announced the transformation of the Movement into a multiracial political party.
16 July 1990
The ANC sent a report on police violence to President F. W. de Klerk and demanded an end to "the shocking inhumanity" of police action in rural areas. The report is based on about 50 statements to lawyers by victims of police action in the farming towns of Ashton, Montague and Roberston. ANC leader Walter Sisulu had already accused the Government of failing to restrain the police after young activist Meshack Kunene was shot to death on June 30 in the Alexandra township.
22 July 1990
According to South African press reports, based on leaks from the security forces, up to 40 members and officials of the ANC's military wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), were recently captured while infiltrating South Africa from bases in exile.
24 July 1990
The Special Committee against Apartheid issued a statement concerning the Report of the Secretary-General on the Progress made in the Implementation of the Declaration on Apartheid and Its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa. It agreed with the Secretary-General's observation that although the process of change in South Africa had started, it was still at a preliminary stage. The Secretary-General introduced the report at a resumed session of the General Assembly held on 20 July. The General Assembly decided to hold a full discussion of the report from 12-14 September 1990.
24 July 1990
The Special Committee against Apartheid issued a statement concerning the Report of the Secretary-General on the Progress made in the Implementation of the Declaration on Apartheid and Its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa. It agreed with the Secretary-General's observation that although the process of change in South Africa has started, it is still at a preliminary stage. The Secretary-General introduced the report at a resumed session of the General Assembly held on 20 July. The General Assembly decided to hold a full discussion of the report from 12-14 September 1990.
25 July 1990
Senior ANC member, Sathyandranath 'Mac' Maharaj and over forty other members of the ANC and the SACP, are detained for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government (Operation Vula).
29 July 1990
The South African Communist Party (SACP) came out to public political life at its largest rally ever, which was held in the township of Soweto. It introduced its 22-person "interim leadership" to a crowd of 40,000 people.
31 July 1990
One day before the Harms Commission was to resume its inquiry on the activities of the Civil Cooperation Bureau, the South African Defence Force were being transferred to regular units of the army.
August 1990
Trade agreement between Hungary and SA.
6 August 1990
African government and the ANC, according to which the latter agreed to suspend the armed struggle.
7 August 1990
The ANC and the South African Government issued a joint declaration (the "Pretoria Minute") at the conclusion of 15 hours of talks. The ANC announced that it would immediately suspend all armed actions, while the Government undertook to consider lifting the state of emergency in Natal "as early as possible" and to continue reviewing the security legislation and its application "in order to ensure free political activity". The final report of the Joint Working Group on political offences was accepted by both parties. Both sides pledged to redouble efforts to reduce the level of violence in the country.
10 August 1990
Signs trade agreement with Hungary.
15 August 1990
Troops were deployed in three densely populated townships southeast of Johannesburg after three days of fighting between members of the Inkatha Freedom Party and ANC supporters, during which 150 persons were killed.
16 August 1990
President F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela held emergency talks in Pretoria as violence spread to Soweto. Fighting started there when Zulu migrant workers armed with axes and spears attacked passengers at a train station.
17 August 1990
The ANC as well as COSATU issued statements accusing elements of the South African security forces of orchestrating the conflict in the townships, saying that they had evidence of forged pamphlets being dropped in the migrant workers' hostels conveying the impression that the ANC wanted to attack Zulus and drive them out of the townships.
21 August 1990
In a statement on South Africa, the twelve Member-States of the European Community expressed their "great concern" at the increasing violence, saying that they expected the South African authorities to "do their utmost to stop the violence in an impartial manner".
22 August 1990
Official estimates put the death toll at 503 people killed during the ten previous days of violence. Fighting was particularly heavy in the township of Vosloorus, 20 miles east of Johannesburg.
23 August 1990
Co-leader of the Democratic Party Zach de Beer said he believed that police, in particular young officers, may not have been impartial in the township conflict.
24 August 1990
More than five hundred people die in eleven days of fighting between township residents and migrant Zulu workers in the PWV region, and the government declares a State of Emergency in this region.
27 August 1990
At a four-day Conference on "Anatomy of Hate", organised in Oslo by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity and the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Nelson Mandela accused the South African Police of encouraging factional fighting around Johannesburg, and denounced the "inability of the Government to put an end to this carnage by restraining the police force."
At a mass funeral held at Jabulani Stadium in Soweto and attended by some 6,000 people, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that a delegation of churchmen would meet President de Klerk to convey to him that there was overwhelming evidence that the police had favoured Inkatha in the recent conflict.
31 August 1990
The Special Committee against Apartheid issued a statement expressing deep concern at the deterioration of the situation in South Africa, the continued detention of Mac Maharaj and the arrest of leaders of COSATU. It indicated that "it considered it imperative that the South African authorities adopted effective measures to ensure the impartiality of the police in this situation". It also made "an urgent appeal to the parties concerned to seek a mechanism that will stop this senseless violence and will enhance the possibility of a future national reconciliation.
31 August 1990
The Natal Congress of the National Party unanimously approved a call by the party leadership to "make membership of the National Party accessible to all South Africans". The decision is subject to approval by the Party Congress in the three other regions of the country.
The Special Committee against Apartheid issued a statement expressing deep concern at the deterioration of the situation in South Africa, at the continuous detention of Mr. Maharaj and at the arrest of leaders of COSATU. It indicated that "it considered it imperative that the South African authorities adopted effective measures to ensure the impartiality of the police in this situation". It also made "an urgent appeal to the parties concerned to seek a mechanism that will stop this senseless violence and will enhance the possibility of a future national reconciliation.
September 1990
The Goldstone Commission of Inquiry is established to investigate the Sebokeng massacre of 26 March, in which at least eleven people were killed during a protest march by township residents.
The government launches Operation Iron Fist to curb township violence.
President F.W. de Klerk pays a three-day visit to the United States of America.
1 September 1990
The report of the inquiry led by Justice Richard Goldstone into the shooting by the police of 18 demonstrators in the township of Sebokeng on 26 March 1990 was made public. The report criticised the actions of the police, saying that they had used force, which was "quite immoderate and disproportionate to any lawful object sought to be attained".
1 September 1990
Enforcement of Foreign Civil Judgements Decree No 13:
Provided for civil judgements given in designated countries (mainly South Africa and the other homelands) to be enforceable in Transkeian magistrates' courts.
Commenced: 1 September 1990
4 September 1990
Signs a memorandum of understanding on road transportation in the Common Customs Area.
6 September 1990
Two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of commuters in a Johannesburg railway station, killing five persons.
7 September 1990
Dr. Zach de Beer is elected as leader of the Democratic Party.
9 September 1990
Signs co-operation agreement with Cote d'Ivoire regarding the technical management of the Abokouamekro Game Park.
11 September 1990
A delegation of officials of the African National Congress (ANC), the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) met with President de Klerk to discuss the issue of violence. After the meeting, ANC Deputy- President Nelson Mandela, who led the delegation, warned that "the failure of action on the part of the Government threatened the peace process".
12 September 1990
The Amsterdam-based Shipping Research Bureau published a report entitled "Fuel for Apartheid" on oil supplies to South Africa, which estimated that South Africa's efforts to circumvent the oil embargo have cost the country more than $US 2,000 million per year for over a decade.
13 September 1990
At least six persons were killed and 400 shacks destroyed during a night attack on a squatter camp in the township of Thokoza.
14 September 1990
Nelson Mandela said after meeting President de Klerk that the Government was convinced that there was "some hidden hand" behind the violence in the townships.
20 September 1990
The ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party announced that they had held high-level talks in Durban to discuss ways of ending violence in Natal and in the townships on the Reef. A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting called it a "historic" meeting, although the "matters discussed were in the main exploratory in nature".
24 September 1990
Winnie Mandela is formally charged with four counts of kidnapping and of assault, and will stand trial with seven others in the events surrounding the murder of Stompie Moeketsi in December 1988.
October 1990
Trade agreement between Romania and SA.
8 October 1990
Signs agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar regarding merchant shipping and related maritime matters.
8 October 1990
A joint statement was issued following a meeting by President de Klerk and Nelson Mandela to discuss the recent violence. The statement acknowledges that there were "different current perceptions concerning the causes and handling of this violence". In a separate statement, President de Klerk announced that 20,000 exiles would be allowed to return to South Africa.
15 October 1990
The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act is repealed.
15 October 1990
The Discriminatory Legislation Regarding Public Amenities Repeal Act came into effect.
15 October 1990
Discriminatory Legislation Regarding Public Amenities Repeal Act No 100:
Repealed the 1953 Reservation of Separate Amenities Act as well as various other Acts '...so as to abolish the distinction made therein between persons belonging to different races or population groups'.
Commenced: 15 October 1990
IN FORCE: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
18 October 1990
Natal state of emergency lifted.
19 October 1990
President de Klerk's proposal to open the ranks of the National Party to all South Africans was accepted by the fourth and final provincial congress of the party.
20 October 1990
The formerly whites only National Party opens its membersip to all race groups.
23 October 1990
Zephania Mothopeng, President of the PAC died in Johannesburg at the age of 77.
24 October 1990
The ANC announced that it was postponing its national conference, set for 15 December 1990, until June 1991, due to the slow pace of efforts to secure the return of more than 20,000 exiles and the release of some 3,000 political prisoners.
25 October 1990
Signs a trade agreement with the government of Romania.
30 October 1990
Signs agreement for the establishment of permament offices of interest with Republic of Poland.
November 1990
ANC supporters are arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate President Lucas mangope of Bophuthatswana
An attempted coup to topple the Transkei government fails.
The Cabinet is reshuffled to prepare the way for constitutional negotiations. These are to commence early in 1991, according to government sources.
A Conference of black and white churches held. Delegates agree on a common declaration of principles on the country's political future.
However, the Dutch Reformed Church disassociates itself from key parts of the Declaration.
The government and the ANC reach agreement on guidelines for the release of political prisoners and the return of 40,000 exiles.
1 November 1990
Minister of Justice Kobie Coetsee announced guidelines for the release of political prisoners and the return of exiles. He specified that all individuals applying for "pardon" or indemnity would be required to fill questionnaires providing full details about the offences committed. They would also be required to make a commitment to peace.
2 November 1990
Signs an air transport agreement with Lesotho for services between and beyond their respective territories.
Signs memorandum of agreement regarding the design, construction and maintenance of the international border bridge over the Caledon River at Ficksburg/Maputsoe.
2 November 1990
Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Mr. Andries Treurnicht, leader of the Conservative Party, met in Durban and issued a joint statement declaring that they were united in the rejection of "domination, terrorism and communism".
7 November 1990
A conference, in which 230 delegates representing 81 churches participated, was held in Rustenburg in the northwestern Transvaal.
After a lengthy debate, most delegates accepted a "confession of sin" from the Dutch Reformed Church for its role in the apartheid system and agreed on "the unequivocal rejection of apartheid as a sin".
13 November 1990
The Harms Commission report criticizes the army and police counter-insurgency units, but has no evidence that police operated death squads. The activities of the Civil Co-operation Bureau are severely criticized.
Signs memorandum of agreement for the supply of water between the governments of Namibia and South Africa.
16 November 1990
Signs treaty with Romania establishing consular and trade relations.
6 December 1990
Marches were staged by the ANC in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Bloemfomtein in the framework of the organisation's "mass mobilisation campaign", and to protest at delays in the release of political prisoners.
13 December 1990
Oliver Tambo, President of the ANC, returns to South Africa after having fled the country thirty years ago.
13 December 1990
The General Assembly concluded three days of debate on Apartheid. Most Member States welcomed the positive developments that had taken place in that country but contended that the South African authorities had failed to meet the conditions conducive to negotiations set forth in the Declaration on Apartheid.
13 December 1990
The United Nations General Assembly concluded three days of debate on the "Policies of Apartheid of the Government of South Africa". During this debate, most Member-States welcomed the positive developments that had taken place in that country but contended that the South African authorities had failed to meet the conditions conducive to negotiations set forth in the General Assembly Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in South Africa.
After 31 years in exile, ANC President Oliver Tambo arrived in Johannesburg where he was greeted by thousands of supporters.
14 December 1990
The ANC holds its first Consultative Conference in South Africa, after thirty years.
16 December 1990
The ANC concluded its first national consultative conference held inside South Africa in 31 years. The Conference, which lasted three days and was attended by 1,600 delegates, mandated the National Executive Committee to "serve notice on the regime that unless all the obstacles are removed on or before 30 April 1991, the ANC shall consider the suspension of the whole negotiation process" and announced that 1991 would be a "year of mass action". It rejected a call to relax international sanctions against South Africa and approved the creation of "defence units" to protect townships residents.
18 December 1990
The South African authorities published a notice granting indemnity from prosecution to all exiles who left the country illegally before 8 October 1990.