African National Congress Timeline 2000 -2010

Published date

21/11/2011

Last updated

16/03/2022

During this period the ANC consolidated its hold on power but also faced both internal and external challenges. Significantly, the National Party, which was renamed the New National Party (NNP), was disbanded and some of its members joined the ANC. NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk became a member of the ANC and a cabinet minister. The ANC also faced internal strife as the battle for leadership of the party saw Thabo Mbeki recalled as president of the country and replaced as president of the party. His recall triggered the resignation of several members of the ANC from government and some later established another political party, the Congress of the People (COPE). Kgalema Motlanthe became state president for six months until he was replaced by Jacob Zuma after the elections. A number of the party’s members were alleged to have been involved in the decade’s leading scandals such as the Arms Deal, Oilgate and Travelgate. Despite a slight decline in those voting for the party, the ANC continues to enjoy dominance on the South African political landscape and in parliament.

2000: January, A partnership is formalized by the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) to review its two years of work against HIV/AIDS under the leadership of Deputy President Jacob Zuma.; 8 January, In its January 8th statement the African National Congress (ANC) joins leaders and organisations across the continent in declaring the 21st century an “African Century”.; 13 January, Alfred Nzo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, dies at Olivedale Clinic in Randburg where he had been admitted in December after suffering a stroke. The ANC releases a press statement on his death.; 16 January, Former President Nelson Mandela addresses peace talks in Arusha, Tanzania and admonishes the leaders of Burundi for having failed their people and all of Africa.; 18-20 February, The ANC holds a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Johannesburg to evaluate the government’s programme of transformation.; 21 February, Smuts Ngonyama, Head of the Presidency and Communications, gives a press statement reporting on the ANC’s NEC meeting.; 21 April, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe meets with Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Sam Nujoma of Namibia at Victoria Falls concerning the crisis in Zimbabwe.; 5 April, The ANC makes a submission to the Human Rights Commission Hearing on ‘Racism in the Media’.; 24 April, President Thabo Mbeki brokers a deal with President Robert Mugabe for an end to the campaign against White farmers in exchange for US and British funding for land reform and a restoration of relations with the IMF.; 8 May, Smuts Ngonyama gives a press statement on the ANC’s NEC meeting held 5-7 May where a decision was taken to dissolve the Provincial Executive Committees of Gauteng and Free State.; 19 May, President Thabo Mbeki is awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the Glasgow Caledonian University.; 12-15 July, President Thabo Mbeki gives the keynote address at the National General Council 2000 meeting in Port Elizabeth. The theme of the meeting is ‘ANC – People’s Revolutionary Movement and Agent for Change’. To read the reports of the National General Council 200 click here.; 22 August, President Thabo Mbeki is voted ‘Newsmaker of the Year’ by the Pretoria Press Club.; 12 September, The ANC, South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) release a joint statement on the tripartite alliance meeting held on 11 September.; 29 September, Nelson Mandela addresses the United Nations Security Council on the Arusha Peace Process.; 13 October, The ANC hosts a seminar of former liberation movements including the MPLA of Angola, FRELIMO of Mozambique, SWAPO of Namibia and ZANU PF of Zimbabwe.; 30 November, President Thabo Mbeki and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria admonish President Robert Mugabe to abide by laws and to curtail the seizure of White-owned farms.; 5 December, South Africa holds local government elections. To read the ANC’s election manifesto click here.; 15 December, President Thabo Mbeki speaks at a MERCOSUR meeting in Brazil and plans to begin negotiations to join the trading block.
2001: 8 January, In the ANC’s January 8th statement 2001 is declared the ‘Year of the African Century for democracy peace and development’.; 11-14 January, The ANC’s NEC holds its Lekgotla in Johannesburg. The theme of the meeting is ‘The ANC as an agent of change and social transformation’.; 15 January, Nat Serache releases a statement on the ANC’s Legkotla.; 5 April, George Bizos is awarded the 2001 International Trial Lawyer prize of the year by the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.; 26 June, President George W. Bush meets with President Thabo Mbeki and defends his efforts to combat AIDS.; July, Former President Nelson Mandela is diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer with radiation.; 10 August, The ANC makes a submission to the World Conference against Racism NGO Forum held at the Durban International Convention Centre.; 30 August, Rivonia Trialist, ANC and SACP member Govan Mbeki dies at his home in Port Elizabeth.; 8 September, Deputy President Jacob Zuma pays tribute to Govan Mbeki.; 3 October, ANC leader Tony Yengeni is charged with corruption, forgery and perjury linked to the country’s $6 billion arms deal with Europe. He is released on bail and will appear before a special criminal court in January 2002.; 9 October, At its third anniversary, President Thabo Mbeki launches the Partnership against AIDS.; 15 October, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is indicted for fraudulent loans of more than $100,000.; 19 November, Nelson Mandela is made an honorary Canadian citizen.; Joe Modise, Former MK Commander and Minister of Defence, dies at his home in Pretoria.
2002: 8 January, The ANC declares the year "The Year of the Volunteer", organizing and mobilising people to contribute to a culture of community service and development.; 17-20 January, The ANC NEC holds its annual Lekgotla. To read the press statement given by Smuts Ngonyama click here.; 19 February, The ANC’s Head of International Relations, Mavivia Myakayaka-Manzini leads an eight-person delegation to Zimbabwe and remain in the country until the election results are announced.; 9-10 March, The Tripartite Alliance holds a 10-a-side meeting where planning takes place for the Alliance Summit in April.; 15-17 March, The ANC NEC holds a series of meetings in Johannesburg. To read the press statement on the meeting click here.; 4-7 April, The annual tripartite alliance summit takes place. President Thabo Mbeki makes the opening remarks on the first day. The Alliance Secretariat Report is delivered on the second day of the conference. Deputy President Jacob Zuma delivers the closing remarks. To read the declarations made at the summit click here.; 19 April, Health workers will continue to get anti-retroviral drugs for needle stick injuries, despite a decision by the ANC's National Executive Committee that this practice should stop.; 11 April, The High Court acquits Dr Wouter Basson - dubbed "Dr Death" - who ran apartheid-era biological warfare programme. Dr Wouter Basson had faced charges of murder and conspiracy. The ANC condemns verdict.; 26 April, ANC NEC member and Minister of Safety and Security Steve Tshwete dies.; 9 June, Peter Mokaba, a former ANCYL leader recently elected to head the ANC’s 2004 election campaign, dies.; 12-14 July, The ANC NEC holds a scheduled meeting in Johannesburg where it receives reports on the preparedness of provinces to host their provincial conferences.; 15 July, Former President Nelson Mandela calls on government and business leaders worldwide to find ways to provide access to treatment to those who need it, for all people living with HIV/AIDS.; 18 July, The ANC responds to calls for Health Minister, Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, to resign.; 25 July, The ANC makes a submission to the Global Civil Society Forum of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.; 27-30 September, The ANC holds it policy conference in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. President Thabo Mbeki delivers the main statement. Deputy President Jacob Zuma delivers the closing statement.; 10 October, President Thabo Mbeki is publicly opposed to the provision of AIDS drugs in South Africa, arguing that they are dangerously toxic and questioning whether HIV or poverty is the true cause of AIDS.; 16–20 December, The ANC holds their 51st National Conference in Stellenbosch under the them ‘Peoples Power in Action’. President Thabo Mbeki gives the opening address and Kgalema Motlanthe delivers his Secretary General’s report. To read the resolutions made at the conference click here.
2003: 8 January, The ANC’s January 8th statement is released under the theme ‘United Action to Push Back the Frontiers of Poverty’.; 17 January, Deputy President Jacob Zuma holds ceasefire talks with Pierre Nkurunziza, the leader of a faction of the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD).; 24 January, The Inkwazi, the South African Air Force Boeing Business Jet, during its inaugural flight, while transporting President Thabo Mbeki to Paris develops technical problems and turns back.; 25–27 January, Deputy President Jacob Zuma facilitates meetings between Pierre Buyoya, the President of Burundi and rebel leaders Alain Mugabarabona, Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye and Pierre Nkurunziza in Pretoria. Pierre Buyoya and Pierre Nkurunziza, leader of a faction of the CNDD-FDD, sign a memorandum of understanding in Pretoria on 27 January.; 5 March, Former ANC chief whip, Tony Yengeni, resigns from his position as Member of Parliament after being found guilty of fraud.; 19 March, Tony Yengeni is sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding parliament. The charges levelled against him related to a 47 percent discount he received on a luxury 4X4 Mercedes Benz in 1998 which he did not disclose to parliament as an MP.; 5 May, Rivonia Trialist and ANC member Walter Sisulu dies at his home in Linden, Johannesburg. Thousands gather to pay their last respects.; 17 May, Former President Nelson Mandela gives a tribute at the funeral service of Walter Sisulu.; 22 May, President Thabo Mbeki makes a statement on the passing of Walter Sisulu entitled ‘We are the soldiers of Sisulu’.; 6 October, The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) is awarded the prestigious Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.; 7 October, The ANC is recognised by the UN for its achievement in building 1.45 millions houses, which have housed 6 million people, in 8 years.; 8 October, Domitien Ndayizeye, President of Burundi and Pierre Nkurunziza, the leader of a faction of the CNDD-FDD, sign an agreement to integrate the armed forces, the police and intelligence services of Burundi, in Pretoria under the facilitation of President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Jacob Zuma.; 12 October, The ANC’s headquarters in Johannesburg, Luthuli House, is burgled and computers are stolen.; 15–18 October, President Thabo Mbeki holds bilateral talks with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, while on a state visit to India.; 28-29 November, The ANC NEC holds a scheduled meeting in Johannesburg. To read the press statement click here.; 12 December, The ANC gives a briefing on the launch of its 2004 election campaign.
2004: 8 January, The ANC releases its January 8th statement marking the 10th anniversary of democracy in South Africa.; 10 January, President Thabo Mbeki unveils the ANC’s election manifesto to supporters in Durban.; 11 January, The ANC officially launches its re-election campaign at a rally in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal.; 13 January, President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Congo for a landmark state visit.; 18 January, An ANC activist is killed after returning from a rally at Unite Seventeen in Umlazi, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Two individuals who shot at the bus were apprehended by the ANC activists and handed over to the police. To read the press statement click here.; 12 February, The ANC welcomes the arrest by the Scorpions of Gideon Niewoudt, the alleged murderer of the PEBCO 3.; 1 March, The ANC’s 2004 National Elections Manifesto is made public.; 8 March, President Thabo Mbeki, in his capacity as ANC President, delivers a letter written to the residents of Pretoria.; 13 March, Dullah Omar, Lawyer, UDF political activist and Minister of Transport, passes away in Cape Town.; 14 April, The third democratic elections are held and won by the ANC with an increased majority of 69.69%.; 10 May, The ANC’s Chief Whip, Nkosinathi Nhleko, releases a statement on the occasion of parliament celebrating ten years of democracy.; 1 June, Former President Nelson Mandela announces his retirement from public life.; 27 May, Nimrod Sejake, member of the ANC and SACP, passes away at the age of 83.; 23 July, ANC stalwart and member of the National Assembly, Wilton Mkwayi, dies. The ANC releases a press statement on his passing.; 6 August, The Tripartite Alliance holds a 10-a-side meeting to discuss the ANC’s recent national and provisional election victory.; 10 September, Former President Nelson Mandela gives the 5th Steve Biko lecture at the University of Cape Town.; 12 September, Ray Alexander Simons communist and trade unionist, passes away at the age of 91. The ANC releases a press statement on her death.; 21 September, Former President Nelson Mandela gives the opening address at the launch of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and Commemoration Project.; 2 October, Deputy President Jacob Zuma gives the opening address at the 2004 NEDLAC Annual Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.; 19 October, The inaugural Desmond Tutu Peace Lecture is delivered by Deputy President Jacob Zuma.; 24 October, Dumisani Makhaye, Kwa-Zulu Natal MEC for Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs and member of the ANC, dies of lung cancer at Parklands Hospital, Durban. He is the first MEC to pass away in office.; 11 November, Sheila Weinberg, ANC member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, dies.; 15-16 November, The ANC hosts a council meeting of the Socialist International at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The meeting is attended by 500 delegates and is opened by Deputy President Jacob Zuma.; 27 November, The predominantly White New National Party (NNP) joins a coalition with the ruling ANC.; 26-27 November, The ANC NEC holds a scheduled meeting in Tshwane.; 7 December, Deputy President Jacob Zuma addresses the celebration of ten years of freedom held at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre.
2005: 6 January, Makgatho Mandela, the eldest son of Nelson Mandela, dies of AIDS, at the age of 54.; 8 January, The ANC’s January 8th statement celebrates 50 years of the Freedom Charter. The official celebrations are held in Umtata, Eastern Cape where the ANC’s NEC delivers its celebratory speech.; 14-16 January, The ANC NEC holds its annual Lekgotla at Ekurhuleni to discuss the ANC’s programme for 2005.; 31 January, President Thabo Mbeki has a narrow escape when he is nearly hit by a car shortly after the African Union (AU) heads-of-state summit in Abuja, Nigeria.; 20 February, Raymond Mhlaba, former Premier of the Eastern Cape and South African High Commissioner to Uganda, dies at a hospital in Port Elizabeth. The ANC releases a press statement on his death.; 24 February, The memorial service for Raymond Mhlaba is held at St Alban’s Cathedral in Pretoria. The official address is given by Deputy President Jacob Zuma.; 4 March, The Tripartite Alliance holds a ten-a-side meeting in Johannesburg.; 18 March, Five ANC MP’s, involved in what became known as the ‘travel-gate’ scandal, are sentenced by the Cape Town Regional Court for defrauding the parliament by abusing the travel vouchers.; 9 April, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, leader of the New National Party (NNP), officially becomes a member of the ANC.; 22-23 April, A delegation of senior members of the ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO meet for the second Ekurhuleni Alliance Summit. To read the Alliance summit’s declaration click here.; 2 June, Schabir Shaik is found guilty on two counts of corruption and one count of fraud. In handing down his sentence, Judge Hilary Squires, states that there was a corrupt relationship between Schabir Shaik and ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma.; 5 June, Former President Nelson Mandela delivers the key note speech at a commemoration of the lives of Yusuf Cachalia and Bram Fischer.; 14 June, Jacob Zuma is relieved of his post as Deputy President of South Africa by President Thabo Mbeki, following the verdict in Schabir Shaik's trial.; 20 June, Jacob Zuma makes a statement on the decision by the National Director for Public Prosecutions to refer charges against him. Jacob Zuma withdraws his participation from ANC structures pending the completion of the legal process against him.; 22 June, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is appointed the new Deputy President of South Africa.; 28 June, President Thabo Mbeki and Laurent Gbagbo, President of CÁ´te d'Ivoire, hold talks in Pretoria to advance peace in CÁ´te d'Ivoire.; 29 June-3 July, The National General Council 2005 is held and attended by 3000 delegates from the various bodies of the ANC as well as from the SACP, COSATU and SANCO. The council passes a declaration entitled ‘A people’s contract to advance the vision of the Freedom Charter’. To read the documents from the council click here.; 9 September, ANC President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Jacob Zuma make a presentation to the ANC NEC. To read the discussion report on the presentation click here.; 11 October, The corruption case against Jacob Zuma in the Durban Magistrates Court is postponed to 12 November to allow the state to serve an indictment.; 23 November, The ANC releases a statement outlining its position on the rape allegations against Jacob Zuma.; 6 December, Jacob Zuma is formally charged with rape in the Johannesburg High Court.
2006: 8 January, The ANC officially launches its 2006 local government election campaign at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. The theme for 2006 is ‘The year of mobilisation for people’s power through democratic local government’.; 15 January, The ANC publishes its 2006 local government election manifesto.; 1 March, Municipal elections are held in South Africa with the ANC received 66.3% of the vote nationwide.; 14–15 March, Members of the South African Students' Congress (SASCO) and African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) stage violent protests at the North-West University's Mafikeng campus, over the exclusion of some students because of unpaid fees.; 8 May, The Johannesburg High Court dismisses the rape charges against Jacob Zuma.; 15 June, The ANC releases a message to the youth of South African for the 30th anniversary of June 16.; 16 June, ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma delivers the opening address at the 30th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto Uprising ceremony in Durban.; 21-22 July, The ANC’s NEC holds its scheduled meeting in Ekurhuleni to discuss various issues such as the programme of transformation and its alliance partners.; 21 August, The Supreme Court of Appeal refuses Tony Yengeni’s application for leave to appeal against his four-year prison sentence.; 31 August-1 September, The Parliamentary Caucus of the ANC holds a caucus meeting where members also participated in a political education school.; 5 September, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, arrives in Cape Town and meets with President Thabo Mbeki.; 20 September, Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial is struck off the roll at the Pietermaritzburg High Court by Judge Herbert Msimang.; 6-7 October, The ANC’s NEC holds a scheduled meeting in Ekurhuleni where the NEC was presented with a draft framework for the 2007 Strategy and Tactics of the ANC.; 16 October, Sixteen ANC MPs appear in the Cape Town High Court on charges relating to the misuse of parliamentary travel vouchers. The MPs agree to enter into plea and sentencing agreements and the court imposes fines ranging from R25 000 to R120 000.; 31 October, The Johannesburg International Airport is renamed OR Tambo International Airport.; 1 November, Former President Nelson Mandela is awarded the Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award. Nadine Gordimer delivers the keynote speech at the awards ceremony and Nelson Mandela gives an acceptance speech.; 31 December, Timothy Maseko, teacher and political activist and former South African Ambassador to Bulgaria, Ghana and Chile, dies.
2007: 2 January, The ANC releases a statement on the death of Timothy Maseko.; Former President Nelson Mandela gives a speech at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.; 8 January, The ANC’s January 8th statement launches 2007 as ‘The year to intensify the struggle against poverty as we advance in unity to 2012’.; 15 January, Tony Yengeni is released on parole.; 19-21 January, The ANC’s NEC holds its annual Lekgotla in Ekurhuleni. To read the press statement click here.; 31 January, Adelaide Tambo, wife of late ANC president Oliver Tambo dies at her home in Johannesburg.; 31 January-6 February, An ANC delegation, led by ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe, travels to Bolivia.; 1-3 February, The members of the ANC’s National Caucus hold a three day caucus at Parliament in Cape Town.; 10 February, Adelaide Tambo is given a state funeral and thousands attend the funeral service held at a stadium in Wattville. Former President Nelson Mandela makes a speech at the funeral.; 24 February, The ANC’s draft Strategy and Tactics document is published.; The Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape honours Walter Sisulu posthumously with an Honorary Doctorate.; 8 March, The ANC celebrates the 60th anniversary of the three doctors’ pact.; 4 June, The ANC joins the week of solidarity with the people of Palestine which takes place from 4-9 June.; 27-30 June, The ANC holds its National Policy Conference. To read the documents of the conference click here.; 21 July, The ANC releases a statement marking the 40th anniversary of Chief Albert Luthuli’s death.; 27 July, President Thabo Mbeki addresses the Africa Region Conference of the 38th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association held in Cape Town.; 8 August, President Thabo Mbeki removes Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge from her position as Deputy-Minister of Health.; 30 August, The revised draft of the ANC’s Strategy and Tactics document is published.; 10 September, The NPA obtains an arrest warrant for Jackie Selebi, President of Interpol and South Africa's National Police Commissioner.; 14 September, A search warrant is added to the arrest warrant for Jackie Selebi.; 25 September, President Thabo Mbeki addresses the 62nd session of the United Nations’ General Assembly.; 18 November, President Thabo Mbeki addresses the G20 Finance Ministerial Conference held in Kleinmondt, Western Cape.; 16-20 December, The ANC’s 52nd National Conference is held at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane and is attended by 4000 delegates. President Thabo Mbeki gives the opening address. To read the conference declaration click here. The conference also adopts amendments to the ANC constitution. The Strategy and Tactics document is also adopted by the delegates. The ANC elects new officials with Jacob Zuma being elected President and Kgalema Motlanthe Deputy President. To see the rest of the election results click here. ANC President Jacob Zuma delivers the closing speech.
2008: 8 January, The ANC’s January 8th statement declares 2008 ‘The year of mass mobilisation to build a caring society’; 12 January, President Thabo Mbeki suspends Jackie Selebi as South Africa's National Police Commissioner via an ‘extended leave of absence’ and appoints Timothy Charles Williams as acting national commissioner of police. This comes after the National Prosecuting Authority states that they will bring charges against Selebi for corruption and defeating the ends of justice.; 13 January, Jackie Selebi resigns as president of Interpol.; 13 January, The ANC releases a statement rejecting the calls, made by the DA and ID, for Parliament to be dissolved and for the resignation of the entire executive.; 8 February, President Thabo Mbeki delivers his State of the Nation address.; 14 March, ANC President Jacob Zuma delivers the organisation’s political overview to an ANC NEC meeting.; 19 March, The ANC commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. ANC President Jacob Zuma leads a delegation to Angola.; 2 April, President Thabo Mbeki delivers his response to the debate of the National House of Traditional Leaders.; 10 April, The ANC releases a statement commemorating the 15th anniversary of the death of Chris Hani.; 13 April, President Thabo Mbeki addresses the 118th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly under the theme ‘Pushing back the frontiers of poverty’.; 21 April, ANC President Jacob Zuma leads an ANC delegation in a four-party dialogue in Berlin, Germany.; 23 April, A joint statement by ANC President Jacob Zuma and Rt Hon Gordon Brown of the British Labour Party is released reaffirming the historical relations between the two parties.; 30 May, ANC President Jacob Zuma makes an address at the Liliesleaf launch.; 18 June, It is announced that the ANC will be sending 14 MPs and 15 others to be part of the 400-member SADC observer mission for the Zimbabwe run-off election.; 8 June, ANC President Jacob Zuma and President Thabo Mbeki release an article entitled ‘There are no ANC Camps’; 14 July, Nosimo Balindlela, Premier of the Provincial Government of the Eastern Cape and Ebrahim Rasool, Premier of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape are fired.; 2 September, An ANC delegation, headed by ANC President Jacob Zuma, arrives in Tanzania for an official visit.; The ANC’s National Working Committee releases a statement on the organisations position on the case against ANC President Jacob Zuma.; 12 September, ANC President Jacob Zuma's corruption case is dismissed by Judge Chris Nicholson.; 20 September, The ANC’s NEC releases a statement announcing the decision to recall President Thabo Mbeki.; 21 September, President Thabo Mbeki hands his letter of resignation to the speaker of the National Assembly and delivers an address to the nation.; 22 September, In a statement made by ANC President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of the ANC NEC, the decision to recall President Thabo Mbeki is explained.; 22 September, The ANC elects its Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to replace Thabo Mbeki as President of South Africa April 2009, when new elections will be held.; 23 September, Eleven cabinet members (Correctional Services - Ngconde Balfour; Public Works - Thoko Didiza; Public Enterprises - Alec Erwin; Public Service and Administration - Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi; Intelligence - Ronnie Kasrils; Defence - Mosiuoa Lekota; Science and Technology - Mosibudi Mangena; Finance - Trevor Manuel; Deputy President - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; Provincial and Local Government - Sydney Mufamadi and Minister in the Presidency - Essop Pahad) resign although 5 stated that they would be willing to serve in the new administration in any capacity that the incoming president deems fit. Three deputy ministers (Correctional Services - Loretta Jacobus; Finance - Jabu Moleketi and Foreign Affairs - Aziz Pahad) also resign.; 25 September, Kgalema Motlanthe is sworn in as President of South Africa and delivers his acceptance speech. The ANC releases a statement on his election as President.; 28 September, Kgalema Motlanthe delivers his first address to the nation as President.; 29 September, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa resigns.; 7 October, Paul Mashatile is elected Premier of Gauteng.; 13 October, The ANC’s National Working Committee suspends the membership of Mosiuoa Lekota and Mluleki George with immediate effect pending the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing.; 20-25 October, ANC President Jacob Zuma leads a delegation to the USA to meet Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Jendayi Fraser.; 23 October, Billy Nair, political activist, former MK and SACP member, and member of the National Assembly dies.; 30 October, ANC President Jacob Zuma addresses mourners at the funeral service of Billy Nair.; 31 October, ANC National Chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota resigns from the organisation.; The ANC lodges a High Court application against Mbhazima Shilowa, Mosiuo Lekota and Mluleki George to prevent the use of names or designations that may be similar to the name and trademark of the ANC. The case is postponed to 6 November.; 2 November, ANC Amathole regional chairperson Mluleki George hands in his resignation to the ANC. This comes a day before George and Mosiuoa Lekota appear before the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee.; 3 November, The ANC releases a statement on the resignation of Mosiuoa Lekota and Mluleki George.; 13 November, Smuts Ngonyama, Head of Communications, resigns from the ANC.; 15 November, President Kgalema Motlanthe delivers the oration at the funeral service of Miriam Makeba who died on 9 November.; 20 November, The ANC releases a statement announcing that it will proceed with a High Court application to prevent the use of the name ‘Congress of the People’ by a group of former ANC members.; 21-23 November, The ANC’s NEC holds its last scheduled meeting for the year at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg with the main focus being on the 2009 national elections.; 29 November-1 December, The ANC holds its Manifesto Policy Conference at Esselen Park, Ekurhuleni in Johannesburg to discuss the upcoming 2009 elections. ANC President delivers the opening address.; 8 December, President Kgalema Motlanthe addresses the nation on the removal of Vusi Pikoli from the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions.; 10 December, The hearing on the ANC’s application to prevent the use of the name ‘Congress of the People’ is held in the Pretoria High Court. The court reserves judgement.; 12 December, The Pretoria High court delivers its judgment on the use of the name ‘Congress of the People’. The ANC’s application is denied and case is dismissed.
2009: 1 January, The ANC releases a statement paying tribute to Helen Suzman who died at the age of 91.; 8 January, The ANC’s January 8th statement declares 2009 ‘The year to defend the unity of our organisation and protect the gains of our national democratic revolution’.; 12 January, The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein delivers judgement on the appeal of charges levelled against ANC President Jacob Zuma. Deputy Judge President Louis Harmse rules that the charges of corruption the National Prosecuting Authority brought against Zuma can be reinstated.; 23 January, President Kgalema Motlanthe delivers a speech at the opening of the first World Conference on Constitutional Justice in Cape Town.; 2 February, The ANC issues a statement declaring that Members of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and provincial leaders will appear in court on 4 February 2009 to show solidarity with Jacob Zuma.; 4 February, Jacob Zuma appears in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. Zuma addresses his supporters who had come to show solidarity with him outside the court.; 4 February, Jimmy Mohlala, ANC member and Mbombela Local Council Municipality speaker, is shot dead in his Nelspruit home. His 19 year old son is also wounded in the attack. He had previously been asked to resign by the African National Congress following a whistle blower act which saw Municipal Manager Jacob Dladla suspended.; 6 February, President Kaglema Motlanthe delivers his state of the nation address at a joint sitting of Parliament.; 1 March, The ANC releases its election manifesto and policy framework.; 6 April, Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, Minister of Communications, dies.; 7 April, All charges against ANC President Jacob Zuma and French arms manufacturer, Thint, over the South African arms deal are officially withdrawn in the Durban High Court. To read Zuma’s remarks on this click here.; 22 April, The 2009 South African national and provincial elections are held.; 25 April, The Independent Electoral Commission publishes the elections results with the ANC receiving 65.9% of the vote and the DA 16.6%. ANC President Jacob Zuma releases a statement on the ANC’s victory.; 6 May, Jacob Zuma is elected President of South Africa by the National Assembly after receiving the highest number of votes. Chief Justice Pius Langa announces that of the 327 votes cast, the ANC President Jacob Zuma received 277 votes, while Congress of the People's (COPE) candidate Mvume Dandala received 47 votes. To read Zuma’s address click here.; 3 June, President Jacob Zuma delivers his first state of the nation address.; 18 July, The first Mandela Day organised on Nelson Mandela's 91st Birthday is launched. On this date people are encouraged devote 67 minutes in service of humanity.; 19 July, Gill Marcus is appointed Governor of the South African Reserve Bank by President Jacob Zuma to replace Tito Mboweni on 9 November.; 29 July, Bheki Cele is appointed as National Police Commissioner.; 27 August, ANC National Spokesperson Jessie Duarte is appointed Chief Operations Officer in the Presidency which comes into effect at the end of September.; 23 September, In marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Resolution of ‘International Solidarity with the Liberation Struggle in South Africa’ in 1989, President Jacob Zuma addresses the 64th UN General Assembly Debate.; 3 October, President Jacob Zuma delivers an address in Port Elizabeth at the reburial of the Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organization (PEBCO) activists known as the PEBCO 3 and two others of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) named the COSAS 2.; 7 October, At the official launch of the Presidency Public Liaison and Hotline Service, President Jacob Zuma delivers the opening address.; 1 November, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe delivers a speech at the End Conscription Campaign’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Thanksgiving Service.; 11 November, A joint sitting of Parliament is held to bid farewell to former Chief Justice Pius Langa and to welcome new Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo.; 25 November, President Jacob Zuma appoints Advocate Menzi Simelane as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions. The opposition party, the DA opposes his appointment and launches a court challenge.; 5 December, President Jacob Zuma addresses the unveiling of a bust and the allocation of a chamber to former ANC Secretary General Duma Nokwe. Owing to the Group Areas Act, Nokwe was barred from opening offices in the City of Johannesburg by the apartheid government after he qualified as an advocate.; 8 December, President Jacob Zuma is conferred the Order of the Eagle of Zambia, the country’s highest distinction to freedom fighters.; 16 December, Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang politician and former Minister of Health, dies at the Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre and Medi-Clinic.; 22 December, President Jacob Zuma delivers the eulogy at the funeral of Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pretoria.

2010

The Mail & Guardian newspaper first reports that questions are being raised about the Gupta family's growing influence over President Jacob Zuma. The first big scandal related to the family is an effort to hijack a mining licence for Sishen mine. This network grows and reverberates across State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Eskom, Transnet, Denel as well as various provincial departments. This scandal, subsequently, leads to the establishment of the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into state capture.

1 January 2010

Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson had to pack her bags and return home when she was recalled by President Jacob Zuma. A red flag was raised over who paid for those return flights, among other costs. It was reported that she travelled to Sweden in December 2009 on official business. The trip was combined with a family holiday, which started at the end of the official trip on 23 December. In her report into the minister’s spending, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that the return trips of the minister’s children and au pair were paid for by the state in violation of the provisions of the Ministerial Handbook. A day later, Joemat-Pettersson told the media that under the recommendation of her former chief of staff, Bafedile Bopape, she was under the impression that the government would foot the bill for the flights for her two children and their au pair from the Scandinavian country. This cost the public over R150 000. Madonsela, who investigated the matter and found that Joemat-Pettersson had acted unlawfully in the way she used public funds, has recommended that the minister be reprimanded and that she pay back all the money spent on the tickets for her family and the nanny.

8 January

The African National Congress (ANC) celebrates its 98th anniversary in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, on 9 January where (ANC) President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma delivers the party's annual January 8th statement, a traditional ANC statement mapping the way forward for the party for 2010. The ANC declares 2010 as the ‘Year of working together to speed up effective service to the people’. Days before the party’s birthday celebrations in Kimberley, President Zuma married his third wife.

15-17 January

The ANC’s National Executive Council (NEC) holds its lekgotla in Gauteng to discuss a plan on how to take forward the President's January 8 Statement delivered in Kimberley during ANC's 98th Anniversary celebration.

February

President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma enrages sexual health activists after it is revealed he fathered a child with a woman who was not one of his wives, his girlfriend, Sonono Khoza. His behaviour angers HIV-Aids activists. President Zuma admits his guilt and tenders a personal apology to the country and the ANC just eight months into his first term.

8 February

The Congress of the People (COPE) issues a statement stating it intends to table a motion calling for no confidence vote on Jacob Zuma’s the Presidency. The ANC responds by issuing a statement describing COPE as “insignificant and opportunistic political player and wannabe political opposition party.”

11 February

President Zuma delivers the State of the Nation address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament, Cape Town.

23 February

President Zuma addresses the official opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders, in Parliament, Cape Town. It has become a tradition that shortly after the President delivers the State of the Nation Address, and the Minister of Finance delivers the Budget Speech, the President officially opens the National House of Traditional Leaders. For President Zuma’s speech to the Traditional Leaders, click here.

March 2010

A Sunday Times editorial warns against “a culture of political assassination,” becoming entrenched in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, after the paper published allegations of the existence of a hit list of officials blocking access to tenders linked to the 2010 World Cup. By that time, seven officials had died in mysterious circumstances, including the Mbombela Municipality's Speaker, Jimmy Mohlala. Several people were arrested in connection with Mohlala’s murder, including two policemen.

10 March

African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema faces a barrage of complaints to the police and chapter nine institutions over racial outburst, after he led students at the University of Johannesburg in a song, “Shoot the boere [farmers], they are rapists".
Freedom Front Plus leader and Deputy Agriculture Minister Pieter Mulder lays a criminal charge against Julius Malema at the Brooklyn Police Station, Pretoria. Mulder said the use of the slogan contravened section 16 of the Constitution. "In terms of this section, no person may advocate hate which is based on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender or religion and which incites action to cause harm to others.

Malema sang the same song at his birthday celebrations in Polokwane, Limpopo on 3 March 2010.

The Afrikaner Bond also lodges a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

12 March

Professor Fatima Meer, political activist, university lecturer, author and human rights and gender activist dies at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban. The ANC releases a statement on her death.

20 March

The ANC releases a statement a day before the 50th commemoration of the Sharpeville Massacre.

21 March

Acting President Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe delivers an address at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Human Rights Day.

24 March

The African National Congress wins four of the six seats in the municipal ward by-elections in 3 provinces. Voter turnout varied between 57.84 percent and 25.94 percent with an average of 33.28 percent.

26 March

President Jacob Zuma delivers the official address at the commissioning of the OR Tambo School of Leadership in Kaweweta, Uganda.

30 March

The ANC defends Malema’s singing of an apartheid-era song with the words “Kill the Boer”. The ANC dismissed a ruling by a regional high court that uttering or publishing the words would amount to hate speech and violate the constitution put in place after the end of white minority rule.

“These songs cannot be regarded as hate speech or unconstitutional,” ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe tells a news conference. “Any judgment that describes them as such is impractical and unimplementable.” Mantashe said the song was only a means of ensuring South African history was remembered and not meant as an incitement to violence against whites -- who make up about a tenth of South Africa’s 50 million population.

However, President Zuma, visiting a shanty town for poor whites outside Pretoria in the same week, stressed the importance of South Africans living together. “We are a government that is committed to all South Africans, regardless of colour, race or creed,” Zuma told the group, part of an estimated 450,000 white South Africans who are estimated to be living in poverty. Early in 2010, President Jacob Zuma also publicly rebuked Malema over his conduct that diverged from official ANC policy.

3 April

Eugene Terre’blanche (69), the leader of the Afrikaner Weerstands Beweging (AWB), is attacked and killed by a 21-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy who worked for him on his farm outside Ventersdorp, about 110 km northwest of Johannesburg, following a dispute over pay. The attackers were later arrested and charged with murder.

5 April

The ANC releases a statement condemning the linking of the singing of the struggle song ‘Kill the boer’ by African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema to the killing of Eugene Terre’blanche on 2 April.

In August 2010 and again in 2011, the ANC charges Julius Malema, ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer general Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and deputy secretary general Kenetswe Mosenogi for “sowing divisions” in the party and bringing the party “into disrepute”. Subsequently, they were found guilty by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) and Malema) was suspended for five years. The League spokesman Floyd Shivambu is suspended for three years.

8 April

The World Bank agrees to lend South Africa $3.75 billion to assist with several energy projects, with $3.05 billion allocated for completion of the Medupi Power Station, Limpopo Province. The approval of the World Bank loan draws criticism for supporting increased global emissions of greenhouse gases.

30 April

The Mail & Guardian newspaper reports that Zuma attended a meeting with one of the Gupta brothers (an immigrant family from India who subsequently became embroiled in a major controversy with President Zuma and allegations of corruption and State Capture in South Africa). The Gupta’s allegedly also met with former ANC spokesperson and presidency official Jesse Duarte (subsequently the ANC ‘s Deputy Secretary General) in February 2010 to discuss the establishment of an ANC-friendly newspaper. The Guptas and Duarte deny the meeting.

10 May

Then national Police Commissioner Bheki Cele (presently Minister of Police) is embroiled in a scandal involving the lease of a Pretoria building for R500-million by businessman Roux Shabangu to the police. A corruption investigation found that Cele and a government minister were involved in property deals that were "improper, unlawful, and amounted to maladministration." The Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, investigated the leases for buildings that were to have served as police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban, and found that the buildings were leased at inflated prices. The Public Protector, said that, although Cele did not sign the actual lease, he did sign a memorandum dated May 10, 2010 which authorised funding for the lease, which was ultimately signed by the Public Works Department. Madonsela said Cele’s conduct breached the constitution, the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury regulations and supply chain management rules and policies.

11 May

The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee delivers its outcome on the hearing of ANCYL president Julius Malema for ‘behaving in a way as to provoke serious divisions...of unity in the organisation’. The ruling instructed Malema to issue an apology, attend the ANC’s political school and should not be found guilty of the same offence within a period of two years.

14 May

Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert (70), academic, political leader and anti-apartheid activist in the apartheid-era Parliament, dies at his home in Johannesburg. The former South African legislator helped chart a way out of apartheid by leading fellow whites into talks with exiled black South African leaders. On 6 July 1987, Dr van Zyl Slabbert led a group of fifty-two mainly Afrikaans-speaking intellectuals, to meet with the then-banned African National Congress (ANC) in Dakar, Senegal.

22 May

Julius Malema addresses the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal- Natal (KZN) 7th Provincial Congress in his capacity as the President of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). Malema says that as youth, they carry the responsibility to ensure economic freedom in their lifetime so that South Africans share in the country`s wealth. He went to add that the ANCYL would “never betray President Zuma and will never go around gossiping about our President as some people seek to suggest”.

June 2010

South African Communist Party (SACP) member Dumisani ‘Bomber’ Ntshangase is shot dead outside his house in Bethal, Mpumalanga, after speaking out about an unpopular decision that would have enriched certain government officials. Five people, including two government officials, were arrested for Ntshangase’s murder. Three of those arrested were officials of the Govan Mbeki municipality in Secunda. Police said Ntshangase was championing the protest of Emzinoni hostel dwellers near Bethal who were against the upgrading of their hostel into flats that they would have to rent from the municipality.

11 June - 11 July

South Africa hosts the 2010 FIFA World Cup football tournament. Campaigning for South Africa to be granted host status, former President Nelson Mandela stated that while incarcerated on Robben Island prison playing football "made us feel alive and triumphant despite the situation we found ourselves in". At the closing final he makes a brief appearance on the field, wheeled in by a motor cart.

The South African Government receives international attention over allegations of bribery to international football body, FIFA, to secure the hosting rights of the 2010 World Cup, and allowing Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to visit despite International Criminal Court arrest warrant over genocide and war-crimes charges. In 2015 it was reported that South Africa’s World Cup organising committee had secured the right to host the World Cup by paying US$10 million in bribes to then-FIFA Vice President Jack Warner and other FIFA Executive Committee members. A former FIFA official, Chuck Blazer, admitted that he and other members of the executive committee were bribed in return for voting for South Africa’s bid for the 2010 World Cup. On 4 June 2015, FIFA executive Chuck Blazer, having co-operated with the American federal bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Swiss authorities, confirmed that he and the other members of FIFA's executive committee were bribed in order to promote the South African 1998 and 2010 World Cup bids. Blazer stated, "I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup." On 6 June 2015, The Daily Telegraph reported that Morocco had actually won the vote, but South Africa was awarded the tournament instead.

13 June – 11 July

The public protector, Thuli Madonsela, investigates minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s use of the public purse. The public protector found Joemat- Pettersson racked up a bill of more than R600 000 at two top hotels in Johannesburg. They were the Oxford Guest House, costing R420 000, and the Peermont D’Oreale Grande Hotel at a cost of R289 352. Regarding these expenses, Madonsela said Joemat-Pettersson “displayed a blank cheque attitude towards public funds”. “Therefore, the conclusion that her conduct amounted to reckless use of public funds, was improper and unethical”.

6 July

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announces that pupils will have the option of learning in their mother language in their first three years of schooling. Children were currently being taught either in English or Afrikaans, both languages inherited from the eras of colonialism and apartheid.

11 July

President Jacob Zuma address leaders from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Togo, Mozambique, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe at an Education Summit in Pretoria, before inviting them to join him at the World Cup soccer final. The summit was the culmination of 1GOAL, a campaign supported by football's governing body FIFA to use the attention the World Cup commands to publicize the need to get more children into school.

29 July

On the recommendation of the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims President Jacob Zuma announces that South Africa has only seven legitimate kingships/kings or queenships/queens and another six whose status will come to an end on the death of the current incumbent in the position. This part of the Commission's work dealt only with matters relating to paramountcies, kingships and queenships. Part two of its work will probe and make findings and recommendations on the next layer of traditional leadership, the principal traditional leadership, senior traditional leadership and Headmanship.

August 2010

In August 2010, and again in 2011, the ANC charges Julius Malema, African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy president Ronald Lamola, treasurer general Pule Mabe, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and deputy secretary general Kenetswe Mosenogi for “sowing divisions” in the party and bringing the party “into disrepute”. Subsequently, they were found guilty by the National Disciplinary Committee and Julius Malema was suspended for five years. The League spokesman Floyd Shivambu is suspended for three years.

3 August

Former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi (60) is sentenced to 15 years in prison on corruption related charges after he was found guilty on 3 July 2009 of receiving bribes to turn a blind eye to drug trafficking, making him one of one of the most senior officials to be convicted of corruption in the democratic era.

17 August

Over a million civil servants’ stage a nation-wide strike over a wage dispute with the government.

24 - 26 August

President Jacob Zuma leads a delegation of over 200 South African business leaders and entrepreneurs to the People's Republic of China to promote trade and investment between the two countries.

2 September

South Africa’s Home Affairs department announces the withdrawal of the April 2009 special status granted to illegal Zimbabwean immigrants who fled their country's economic meltdown and political violence. The government intends to begin deportations to Zimbabwe after 31 December 2010.

11-12 September

The ANC holds its Provincial General Conference. To read the conferences report and resolutions click here.

19 September

There is nothing wrong with businesses investing in any political party, President Jacob Zuma said at the ANC's national general council (NGC) gala dinner in Durban. "Funding for political parties is somehow viewed with suspicion by some commentators in this country and there should be no reason for that," he said.

20-24 September

The ANC holds its National General Council (NGC) conference in Durban. Click here to read the discussion documents under the theme, “Building a National Democratic Society, Strategy and Tactics and the Balance of Forces in 2010”.

President Jacob Zuma addresses the ANC's national general council (NGC) gala dinner. The President says, “There is nothing wrong with businesses investing in any political party.” "Funding for political parties is somehow viewed with suspicion by some commentators in this country and there should be no reason for that."

27 September

The Gupta brothers launch their newspaper, The New Age. At the ANC’s national general council, Pallo Jordan, former Minister of Arts and Culture (who stepped down in 2009 after a journalist exposed that Jordan lied that he held a Ph.D. degree) holds up a copy of The New Age specially delivered to the conference.

1 October

Transparency International ranks South Africa 54 out of 178 listed countries in its Corruption Perceptions Index 2010.

7 October

Mpumalanga politician James Nkambule, who had alleged that senior ANC politicians are behind a series of politically motivated murders, is killed. His autopsy report suggested that he might have been poisoned. A confidential autopsy report says that Nkambule, who died suddenly on 7 October 2010, was poisoned. Nkambule, 37, was the whistle-blower who earlier in 2010 claimed that politicians were behind assassinations in the province. He alleged that corruption surrounding the building of the province's multibillion-rand Mbombela stadium for the soccer World Cup led to the deaths. Nkambule collapsed and died at his home in Mjindini, Mpumalanga.

12 October

At the United Nations (UN), South Africa, Colombia, Germany, India and Portugal are elected to join the other powers on the United Nations (UN) Security Council for two years, starting in January 2011.

18 October

A businessman and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) veteran, Mthunzi Nkonki, is gunned down in Duncan Village, Eastern Cape, after he exposed alleged corruption in the Great Kei municipality. At the time of his death, he had lodged a complaint with the Office of the Premier, alleging corruption in a tender award to upgrade roads in the Great Kei Municipality.

27 October

In his medium-term budget framework, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan denounces corruption, stating that the government was investigating procurement and corruption fraud totalling R25 billion, and announces initiatives to fight against corruption.

5 November

Members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), together with Zimbabwe police, under Anwa Dramat ( head of South Africa's elite Hawks unit which investigates organised crime) and Gauteng Commander Shadrack Sibiya conducted three operations in South Africa, on 5 November 2010, 23 November 2010 and 11 January 2011. Three Zimbabwean nationals were arrested and handed over to Zimbabwean police. Two of the arrested nationals were killed in Zimbabwe. The third national, Mr Johnson Nyoni, died in Zimbabwean police custody. An investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), conducted before Robert McBride was appointed IPID head, recommended that the pair be prosecuted criminally on charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. The case was widely seen as a political manoeuvre to have former Hawks boss Anwa Dramat and his Gauteng commander Shadrack Sibiya removed. According to the Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko, McBride, after he assumed office, caused the IPID to change its report and recommendations regarding the criminal charges against Dramat and Sibiya. According to the Minister, he then instituted a disciplinary case against McBride which resulted in his suspension as the Minster claimed he attempted to suppress evidence which implicated Dramat and Sibiya. McBride took the decision to court and won the case. The case was widely seen as a political manoeuvre to have former Hawks boss Anwa Dramat and his Gauteng commander Shadrack Sibiya removed.

19 November

Bertha Gxowa, one of the leaders of the 1956 Women’s March and former ANC MP, passes away in Johannesburg. The ANC releases a statement on her death.

24 November

President Jacob Zuma delivers the Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

1 December

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe delivers the official address to the 25th anniversary celebration of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Johannesburg.

6 December

Launch of the print version of The New Age, with copies being sold across the country. The editor, Henry Jeffreys, promises to ‘support the government of the day, at all levels’, denying that the paper will hold a brief for any political party. Many media pundits predict that it will serve as a propaganda tool for the party and the government. The New Age is owned by TNA Media, whose executive chairperson Atul Gupta shares close ties with the ANC and the President Jacob Zuma. TNA’s director Essop Pahad is an ANC veteran and was a minister in the presidency under Thabo Mbeki. The paper’s owners have made it clear that The New Age will report on the government in a positive manner, but it will remain objective and it will not act as the government’s agent. It will not be biased towards the ANC, The New Age claims. “We hold no political brief for any political party or formation. We are proudly South African and fiercely independent – and owe allegiance only to our readers and South Africa,” the Editor said in a front-page note in the paper.

9 December

President Jacob Zuma delivers closing remarks to the Heads of State and Government dialogue at the UNFCC Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico.

9 December

The Electoral Commission (IEC) announces in Pretoria that the ANC won four of the six municipal ward by-elections which took place on this day. The remaining two seats went to the Democratic Alliance (DA). Voter turnout varied between 6.83% and 29.45% with an average of 15.59%.

10 December

This day marks the 50th anniversary that Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the first African on the continent to be awarded this prestigious prize.

24 December

South Africa is formally invited to become a member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), an association of five major emerging national economies playing a key role in world development platforms.

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