December 25 in South Africa is not only a day of celebration but also a date marked by notable historical events.
Five historical events that happened on 25 December
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These events range from significant political developments to the lives of influential figures and a devastating act of violence, collectively reflecting the multifaceted nature of the nation’s history.
1. The Bondelswarts Surrender to German Forces (1906)
On this day in 1906, the Bondelswarts, a Khoikhoi group who had settled in Warmbad, Namibia, surrendered to the German forces. The Bondelswarts’ surrender was part of the broader historical context involving German colonial rule in South West Africa.
Germany eventually lost this colony after World War I, with South West Africa later becoming a mandate of the League of Nations under the South African administration.
2. The Passing of Helen Joseph (1992)
Helen Beatrice May Joseph, a South African political and human rights activist, died at the age of 87 in Johannesburg on 25 December 1992. Joseph, who came to South Africa in 1931, was a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement.
She played a leading role in the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings and was arrested several times for her political activities, becoming an emblem of resistance and inspiration for many in the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa.
3. Birth of Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1940)
Aziz Goolam Hoosein Pahad, who would become South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was born on 25 December 1940 in Schweizer Reneke, Western Transvaal (now North West Province). Pahad’s political career included membership in the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1985, playing a significant role in shaping South Africa’s foreign policy in the post-apartheid era.
4. Birth of Christmas Tinto, ANC Member and UDF Leader (1925)
Christmas Fihla Tinto, a prominent ANC member and leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), was born on Christmas Day in 1925 in Mqanduli, Transkei.
His political activities began at an early age, contributing significantly to the struggle against apartheid and shaping the political landscape of South Africa during a critical period in its history.
5. The Shobashobane Christmas Day Massacre (1995)
The Shobashobane Christmas Day massacre in 1995 was a brutal event that occurred in the Shobashobane area near Port Shepstone. Early in the morning, around 600 alleged members of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) attacked the area, resulting in the death of 19 people and leaving hundreds injured. This attack, launched during a time of high political tension and violence, led to the destruction of scores of homes and added to the tragic history of conflict in the nation.