Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03

1972 in South Africa

Explore 6 historical events and records for South Africa in 1972.

Historical records for South Africa in 1972

Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 6 of 6 unique records.

6Unique records
1 of 1Page
6Named events on this page
3Named people on this page
1Places on this page

Other events (month unknown)

Commission

Vorster, Balthazar Johannes · Prime Minister of South Africa · Government / Government of South Africa

The Schlebusch Commision is set up to investigate liberal student bodies

Election

Klerk, Frederik Willem de · Pretoria · Politics / SANP

First elected to the South African Parliament

Homeland Policy Continues

Vorster, Balthazar Johannes · Pretoria · Government / Government of South Africa

The government continued enforcing apartheid's homeland system and restrictions on the political rights of black South Africans.

Party Leader

Schwarz, Harry · Politics / United Party

Divisions come to a head in 1972 when Harry Schwarz, leader of the liberal "Young Turks" within the party, wrestled the leadership of the party in the Transvaal from Marais Steyn

Rule of Namibia

Vorster, Balthazar Johannes · Prime Minister of South Africa · Government / Government of South Africa

An attempt by Kurt Waldheim to negotiate with South Africa fails

United Party

Schwarz, Harry · Politics / United Party

Divisions come to a head in 1972 when Harry Schwarz, leader of the liberal "Young Turks" within the party, wrestled the leadership of the party in the Transvaal from Marais Steyn

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.