About this site

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 It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

1980

January : the Silverton Siege. ANC soldiers take refuge in a bank in Silverton, Pretoria, take hostages and demand release of Mandela. Police storm bank killing some hostages and three MK soldiers

March : The Sunday Post launches campaign for release of Mandela and all political prisoners. 15 million people sign the petition world-wide.

March 13 : death of Lilian Ngoyi, President of ANC Womens League, renowned activist who led women's march to Pretoria on August 9, 1956

April 18 : Robert Mugabe takes over as President of Zimbabwe

June 1 : Sasol complex in flames fired by Umkhonto we Sizwe. Dramatic victory of MK causes R66 million damage.

June 26 : ANC in exile awards the Isitwalandwe Seaparankoe to Govan Mbeki and to Bishop Ambrose Reeves. The award is a traditional honour to those whom the ANC considers most worthy.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.