Sabotage Campaign Begins
Mandela helps direct the organisation initial sabotage strategy.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1961 in South Africa — Page 2
Explore 62 historical events and records for South Africa in 1961.
Historical records for South Africa in 1961
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 22 of 62 unique records.
62Unique records
2 of 2Page
16Named events on this page
10Named people on this page
2Places on this page
December
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Leaflets are circulated nationally announcing the birth of Umkhonto we Sizwe
Umkhonto we Sizwe Launch
Umkhonto we Sizwe publicly announces its existence.
Bombing of Umkhonto
Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe
Other events (month unknown)
ANC
Appointed Member of Umkhonto, military wing of the ANC
ANC
Appointed Member of Umkhonto, military wing of the ANC
ANC
The ANC is banned from South Africa
Black Pimpernel Period Begins
Uses disguises and secret travel to avoid arrest.
Communist Party
The Communist Party secretly reconstitutes itself as an underground organisation
Conference of ANC
Supports the idea of a national convention
Constitution of South Africa
Becomes the 1st South African Head of State which previously was the British monarch
Election
Only 1 of the 12 party members of the House of Assembly retain their seat
Goes Underground
Begins operating clandestinely after the ANC ban.
National Convention
Supports the idea of a national convention
President of South Africa
Appointed President of South Africa
Security Powers Strengthened
As minister of justice Vorster promoted strict internal security measures directed against opponents of apartheid.
South Africa Becomes A Republic
Under Prime Minister Verwoerd the Union of South Africa became the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961.
Swart Becomes First State President
Charles Robberts Swart became the first state president of the Republic of South Africa following its constitutional transition.
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Appointed Member of Umkhonto, military wing of the ANC
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Appointed Member of Umkhonto, military wing of the ANC
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Founds Umkhonto, "The Spear of the Nation", member of the High Command
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Founds Umkhonto, "The Spear of the Nation", member of the High Command
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.