January 11th has been a day of significant historical happenings in South Africa, spanning across different eras and affecting various aspects of the nation’s life.
These historical events happened on 11 January
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From political mobilisations against apartheid to cultural and social milestones, this day has seen events that have helped shape the course of South African history. In this article, we explore five such events, each highlighting a unique chapter in the nation’s past.
1) Launch of the International Year of Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa (1982)
On 11 January 1982, the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid launched the International Year of Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa.
This significant initiative represented a concerted global effort to apply pressure on the South African government to dismantle the apartheid system, showcasing the international community’s growing opposition to the regime’s policies.
2) The Herero Uprising in South West Africa (Now Namibia) (1904)
The Herero uprising, a critical moment in the history of colonial resistance in Africa, began in January 1904 and lasted until March 1907. The Herero people, possibly having migrated earlier from further north in Africa, rebelled against colonial forces in what is now Namibia. This rebellion was a pivotal struggle against European colonialism and set the stage for further resistance movements in the region.
3) Nelson Mandela Smuggled out of South Africa (1962)
On 11 January 1962, Nelson Mandela, a key figure in the fight against apartheid, was smuggled out of South Africa. With an Ethiopian passport provided by Haile Selassie and under the alias David Motsamayi, Mandela travelled as a journalist, which allowed him to move across the region.
This marked a critical phase in Mandela’s journey as a freedom fighter and a significant event in the anti-apartheid movement.
4) Birth of the First Sextuplets Known to Survive Infancy (1974)
A remarkable event in medical history occurred on 11 January 1974, in Cape Town, when Susan Rosenkowitz and her husband Colin became parents to the first known sextuplets to survive infancy.
The sextuplets were born at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, with a total birth weight of 10.9 kg. This event not only captured the nation’s attention but also marked a significant achievement in medical science.
5) Walter Sisulu’s Secret Meeting (1963)
On this day in 1963, Walter Sisulu, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC), attended a clandestine meeting at the house of George Xarile along with F. Van Rensburg, a shift boss from the Vlakfontein mine.
This meeting was significant as Van Rensburg reportedly made bombs for the ANC’s resistance activities against the apartheid regime, highlighting the covert operations and the risks taken by anti-apartheid activists during this tumultuous period.