January 21 marks a day of diverse and significant events in South African history.
These historical events happened on 21 January
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This date has witnessed moments of political activism, tragic accidents, and episodes of violence that have left indelible marks on the nation’s memory.
Today, we reflect on five such events, each representing a different aspect of the country’s complex past.
Nelson Mandela Condemns the Lockerbie Bombing (1990)
On 21 January 1990, Nelson Mandela, a figure synonymous with the anti-apartheid struggle, took a stand against international terrorism by condemning the Lockerbie bombing.
This tragic event, which occurred on 21 December 1988, saw the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 and resulted in the death of 270 individuals, marking it as the first mass killing of Americans by terrorists.
Mandela’s condemnation came when he was negotiating South Africa’s future and signalled his commitment to global peace and justice.
His proposal to handle the issue through peaceful and legal means, such as trials in neutral countries, highlighted his advocacy for non-violent solutions in international conflicts.
2. Henry Okah’s Conviction (2013)
In a landmark case on 21 January 2013, Nigerian national Henry Okah was convicted by a South African court for orchestrating two car bombings in Abuja.
Okah, a leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), was accused of masterminding the 2010 attacks, which killed 13 people and injured many more.
His arrest and subsequent 24-year prison sentence in South Africa were notable for reflecting the country’s commitment to combating international terrorism.
3. Prime Minister Smuts’ Attempt to Replace the Pegging Act (1946)
On 21 January 1946, Prime Minister Jan Christiaan Smuts was set to replace the Pegging Act with the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representation Act.
This legislative shift was significant in the history of South African apartheid, as it aimed to restrict the land ownership rights of Indian South Africans and marginalise them further by confining them to certain areas.
Despite offering a limited form of parliamentary representation, the act was widely criticised and led to a resurgence of anti-segregationist movements, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s struggle against racial discrimination.
4. Coalbrook Mining Disaster (1960):
The Coalbrook mining disaster on 21 January 1960 stands as the most severe mining accident in South African history.
At the Clydesdale Colliery near Sasolburg, a massive underground collapse trapped about 1 000 miners, resulting in the deaths of 435 workers.
This catastrophe highlighted the dire safety conditions in South African mines and led to significant changes in mining safety regulations and rescue capabilities.
5. Kwamakhutha Massacre (1987):
The Kwamakhutha Massacre on 21 January 1987 was a brutal episode in the history of South Africa’s internal conflicts.
Gunmen armed with AK47s attacked the home of UDF activist Bheki Ntuli in Kwamakhutha, KwaZulu Natal, killing 13 people, including seven children.
This attack was part of the broader political violence in KwaZulu Natal from 1976 to 1996, which resulted in numerous deaths and displacements.
The massacre was later linked to covert operations by the apartheid government, further entrenching the deep political and social divisions of the time.