First Robben Island Transfer
Is transferred from Pretoria to Robben Island.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1963 in South Africa
Explore 28 historical events and records for South Africa in 1963.
Historical records for South Africa in 1963
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 28 of 28 unique records.
28Unique records
1 of 1Page
21Named events on this page
10Named people on this page
3Places on this page
May
Robben Island Imprisonment Begins
Begins his first period of imprisonment on the island.
Arrest of Robert Sobukwe
Due for release but redetained without charge & sent to Robben Island. Banished to Robben Island where he remains for 6 yrs
Legislation
The only person in Parliament to vote against the General Law Amendment Act
June
Constitution of South Africa
South Africa becomes a dictatorial police state under the General Law Amendment Act
Legislation
Those arrested can be held for 90 days without any rights. The General Law Amendment Act waives the right of habeas corpus. South Africa becomes a dictatorial police state under the General Law Amendment Act
Umkhonto
Enacts legislation to "break the back" of Umkhonto
Return to Pretoria Prison
Is returned from Robben Island to Pretoria Local Prison.
Rivonia Case Preparation
Remains incarcerated as the Rivonia prosecution develops.
July
Trial
Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment
October
Arrest of Albertina Sisulu
Held under the Ninety-Day Detention Act
Arrest of Caroline Motsoaledi
Held under the Ninety-Day Detention Act
Rivonia Trial Court Appearance
Appears with other defendants in the developing Rivonia Trial.
Sabotage Prosecution Begins
Faces sabotage charges carrying the possibility of a death sentence.
Trial
Opening day of the Nelson Mandela trial, the Rivonia Trial. Mandela is indicted with sabotage & conspiracy
December
Pleads Not Guilty
Pleads not guilty to sabotage and conspiracy charges.
Rivonia Sabotage Charges Contested
Rejects the prosecution case during the Rivonia Trial.
Trial
Mandela & Sisulu are accused of 222 acts of sabotage
Trial
Main witness for the state against Mandela
Trial
Mandela & Sisulu are accused of 222 acts of sabotage
Trial
Mandela & Sisulu are accused of 222 acts of sabotage
Other events (month unknown)
Detention Without Trial Expanded
Government security legislation under Vorster permitted prolonged detention and interrogations targeting suspected antiapartheid activists.
Election
The Transkei voters reject the homeland policy by 3 to 1
Legislation
The General Law Amendment Act enables the Min of Justice to prolong prisoner arrest
Organisation of African Unity
The Organisation for African Unity is founded, it immediately condems apartheid
PAC
Makes up the PAC slogan, "Freedom in 1963"
Rule of Namibia
SWAPO initiates an armed struggle for independence in South West Africa
Rule of Transkei
The Transkei becomes a "self-governing" homeland
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.