Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03

1982 in South Africa

Explore 6 historical events and records for South Africa in 1982.

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Historical records for South Africa in 1982

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

2Named people on this page

3Places on this page

February

28 February 1982

National Party Caucus Victory

Botha, Pieter Willem · Pretoria · National Party Leader · Politics / National Party

Wins overwhelming Transvaal party support for his policy direction.

28 February 1982

Treurnicht Challenge Defeated

Botha, Pieter Willem · Pretoria · National Party Leader · Politics / National Party

Defeats Andries Treurnicht's challenge over constitutional reform.

March

31 March 1982

Robben Island Imprisonment Ends

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla · Cape Town · Political Prisoner · Politics / ANC

Leaves Robben Island after eighteen years of imprisonment.

31 March 1982

Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison

Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla · Cape Town · Political Prisoner · Politics / ANC

Is transferred from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison.

March 1982

Conservative Party Split

Botha, Pieter Willem · South Africa · National Party Leader · Politics / National Party

Sees right-wing National Party dissidents form the Conservative Party.

March 1982

Right-Wing Nationalists Leave

Botha, Pieter Willem · South Africa · National Party Leader · Politics / National Party

Consolidates control after opponents reject his reform proposals.

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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.