Demonstrations
Addresses a meeting of 500 activists opposed to forced removals from Sophiatown
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1952 in South Africa
Explore 26 historical events and records for South Africa in 1952.
Historical records for South Africa in 1952
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 26 of 26 unique records.
26Unique records
1 of 1Page
23Named events on this page
5Named people on this page
4Places on this page
February
Evacuation
The forced evacuation of Sophiatown to Meadowlands takes place
Evacuation
The forced evacuation confirms Mandelas belief in armed & violent resistance
April
Apartheid
Passes legislation making Parliament a high court ensuring Apartheids legality
Legislation
Passes legislation making Parliament a high court ensuring Apartheids legality
June
Curfew
Nelson Mandela and 51 others infringe South Africa curfew
Defiance Campaign Leadership
Serves as Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign.
Volunteer-in-Chief Appointment
Coordinates nonviolent civil disobedience against apartheid laws.
December
Defiance Campaign Conviction
Receives nine months imprisonment suspended for two years.
President of South Africa
Appointed President General of the ANC, 1st term
Suspended Prison Sentence
Is convicted with other Defiance Campaign leaders.
Other events (month unknown)
Apartheid
The Supreme Court judges Apartheid as unconstitutional
Arrest of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Given a 9 month suspended sentence & forbidden to leave Johannesburg for 6 months
Black Legal Practice
The firm serves Black clients facing discriminatory laws.
Constitution of South Africa
The Supreme Court judges Apartheid as unconstitutional. Parliament is transormed into a High Court & validates the Coloured Voters Bill
Defiance Campaign Prosecution
Faces charges under the Suppression of Communism Act.
Deputy President
Appointed Deputy National President of the ANC
First ANC Deputy Presidency
Is elected one of the ANC first deputy presidents.
Law Firm
Jointly sets up the 1st black law practice in Johannesburg, Mandela & Tambo
Legislation
The Pass Laws, forces black people to carry identification with them at all times. Natives Laws Amendment Act, narrows the definition of the category of blacks who had the right of permanent residence in towns. Natives Act, pass laws compelling blacks to carry identification. Natives Abolition of Passes & Co-ordination of Documents Act, apartheid legislation
Mandela and Tambo Law Firm
Opens a law practice with Oliver Tambo.
National ANC Leadership
Moves into senior national leadership during the Defiance Campaign.
Natives Laws Amendment Act
Natives Laws Amendment Act, narrows the definition of the category of blacks who had the right of permanent residence in towns
Provincial ANC Leadership
Combines provincial leadership with national resistance activity.
Suppression of Communism Act Arrest
Is arrested during the Defiance Campaign.
Transvaal ANC Presidency
Is elected president of the Transvaal ANC.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.