2021 in South Africa
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Events in the year 2021 in South Africa.
Incumbents
- President: Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC)
- Deputy President: David Mabuza (ANC)
- Chief Justice: Mogoeng Mogoeng
- Deputy Chief Justice: Raymond Zondo
- President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Mandisa Maya
- Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Xola Petse
- Chairperson of the Electoral Court of South Africa: Boissie Henry Mbha[1]
- Speaker of the National Assembly: Thandi Modise (ANC)
- Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly: Lechesa Tsenoli (ANC)
- Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly: John Steenhuisen (DA)
- Leader of Government Business: David Mabuza (ANC)
- Government Chief Whip (of the National Assembly): Pemmy Majodina (ANC)
- Opposition Chief Whip (of the National Assembly): Natasha Mazzone (DA)
- Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: Amos Masondo (ANC)
- Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: Sylvia Lucas (ANC)
- Leader of the Opposition of the National Council of Provinces: Cathlene Labuschagne (DA)
- Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces: Seiso Mohai (ANC)
The Cabinet, together with the President and the Deputy President, forms the Executive.
- Eastern Cape Province: Oscar Mabuyane (ANC)
- Free State Province: Sisi Ntombela (ANC)
- Gauteng Province: David Makhura (ANC)
- KwaZulu-Natal Province: Sihle Zikalala (ANC)
- Limpopo Province: Stanley Mathabatha (ANC)
- Mpumalanga Province: Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane (ANC)
- North West Province: Job Mokgoro (ANC)
- Northern Cape Province: Zamani Saul (ANC)
- Western Cape Province: Alan Winde (DA)
Monthly events
January and February
- 7 January – COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announces that South Africa will receive one million doses of Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine in January and 500,000 in February. 1.25 million health workers will be prioritized. SA has confirmed 1.1 million infections and 31,368 deaths.[2]
- 25 January – A five-year-old boy in Mpumalanga[3] dies and thousands are homeless as Cyclone Eloise causes extensive flooding in southern Africa. Limpopo is particularly hard hit.[4][5]
- 1 February
- Environment Minister Barbara Creecy reports that rhinoceros poaching in South Africa is down for the sixth year in a row, to 394 animals killed in 2020 for their horns. She attributed the decline to both the COVID-19 pandemic and to work by rangers and security personnel and noted that it is still a major problem.[6]
- Former president Jacob Zuma defies the Constitutional Court and refuses to testify to the Zondo Commission.[7]
- 23 February – Port Elizabeth is officially renamed Gqeberha. Other major name changes include Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (formerly Port Elizabeth Airport).[8][9]
March and April
- 1 March – The government announces plans to establish a special Land Court.[10]
- 8 March – Immigrant street vendors from Senegal and Burkina Faso are hospitalised after xenophobic attacks in Durban.[11]
- 10 March – A middle-aged man is killed after police shoot him in the head with a rubber bullet during a demonstration against the high cost of the University of the Witwatersrand.[12]
- 24 March – The South African Human Rights Commission investigates a case of discriminiation involving a Ndebele activitist′s Thando Mahlangu, 35, use of traditional clothing in a Clicks pharmacy in suburban Johannesburg.[13]
- 24 March – Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu is named regent following the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini.[14]
- 25 March – Ethiopians demonstrate in Pretoria to bring attention to human rights violations in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.[15]
- 29 March – President Ramaphosa calls upon members of the African National Congress (ANC) who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes to step aside within 30 days or face suspension.[16]
- 18 April - 2021 Table Mountain fire
May and June
- 9 June – Gosiame Thamara Sithole reportedly gives birth to ten babies — five boys and five girls — in a possible world record.[17] On 15 June 2021 the supposed father of the 10 children admitted via a family statement that the story is false and that Gosiame Thamara Sithole never gave birth to decuplets.[18]
- 29 June – The Constitutional Court of South Africa (ConCourt) issued a statement on former president Jacob Zuma that he would be imprisoned for a 15 month period following his guilt plead of being in contempt of court.[19]
July and August
- 1 July - Violence starts to rapidly increase in the 2021 Cape Town taxi conflict over the B97 taxi route between Bellville and Paarl.
- 2 July – President Cyril Ramaphosa is appointed Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga as the country's acting President for the day upon his leave to attend the State Funeral of the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda and Deputy President David Mabuza's leave.[20]
- 9 July - 2021 South African unrest begins.
Predicted and scheduled events
- May – The trial of former president Jacob Zuma on corruption charges is set to begin.[21]
Elections
Holidays
South Africa has 12 public holidays; if a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated the following Monday.[22]
- 22 March – Human Rights Day
- 27 April – Freedom Day (National day)
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 9 August – National Women′s Day
- 24 September – Heritage Day
Sports
- 25 February – Caster Semenya, 30, announces she will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) so that she can compete as a female in track meets. Her birth certificate identifies her as female and she has always identified as female, but she has high levels of testosterone that keep her out of international competition.[23]
- 15 to 18 April – 2021 Men's Indoor African Cup
- 19 to 25 April 2021 – 2021 IIHF World Championship Division III
- 24 August to 5 September – South Africa at the 2020 Summer Paralympics
Deaths
January
- 5 January – Mluleki George, 72, politician, founder of the United Congress; COVID-19.[24]
- 6 January – King Victor Thulare III, 40, royal, king of the Pedi people (since 2020); COVID-19.[25]
- 9 January – Johnson Mlambo, 80, political activist; complications from COVID-19.[26]
- 11 January – Lindiwe Ndlovu, 44, actress (Winnie Mandela, Little One).[27]
- 13 January – Hannes Viljoen, 77, rugby union player (Natal, national team).[28]
- 14 January
- Mzwandile Nzimande, 44; Covid-19.[29]
- Hannes Viljoen, 77, rugby union player (Natal, national team).[28]
- 15 January - Dr. Welcome Bhodloza Nzimande, 73, radio broadcaster (1978-1997); COVID-19.[30][31]
- 16 January
- Bheki Ntuli, 63, politician, member of the National Assembly (1999–2003); COVID-19.[32]
- Sam Phillips, 72, actor (Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Red Dust, The Forgotten Kingdom).[33]
- 17 January – Abel Gabuza, 65, Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop Coadjutor of Durban (since 2018) and Bishop of Kimberley (2010–2018); COVID-19.[34]
- 18 January – Nombulelo Hermans, politician, member of the National Assembly (since 2019); COVID-19.[35]
- 21 January - Jackson Mthembu, 62, politician (Minister in the Presidency); COVID-19.[36][37]
- 22 January – Marius van Heerden, 46, Olympic middle-distance runner (1996); COVID-19.[38]
- 23 January - Jonas Mosa Gwangwa, 83, jazz musician.[39]
- 24 January – Joseph Sonnabend, 88, physician and HIV/AIDS researcher (How to Have Sex in an Epidemic); complications from a heart attack.[40]
- 28 January
- Sibongile Khumalo, 63, singer.[41]
- Lewis Wolpert, 91, South African-born British developmental biologist, COVID-19.[42]
- January (date unknown) – Dorah Sitole, 65, food writer (40 Years of Iconic Food); COVID-19.[43]
February
- 22 February – Seif Bamporiki, Rwandan opposition politician (Rwanda National Congress, RNC) exiled in Cape Town; shot[44]
March
- 4 March – Karima Brown, 54, journalist; COVID-19[45]
- 9 March – Cliff Simon, 58, South African-born American actor (Stargate SG-1); kiteboarding accident.[46]
- 12 March - Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, 72, Zulu king; problems related to diabetes[47]
- 13 March - Menzi Ngubane, 56, actor; stroke [48]
- ? March - Noxolo Maqashalala, 44, actress; COVID-19[49]
- 26 March – Elizabeth Thabethe, 61, politician, MP (since 1994); complications from a traffic collision.[50]
- 28 March – Christof Heyns, 62, human rights lawyer.[51]
- 29 March – Adrian Nel, 40, commercial diver and construction worker; murdered[52] (death reported on this date)
- 30 March – Patrick O. O'Meara, 83, South African-born American educator and author.[53]
April
- 4 April – Frank Mdlalose, 89, South African political activist, former Priemer of KwaZulu-Natal; COVID19.[54]
- 10 April – Sindisiwe van Zyl, 45, physician and HIV activist; complications from COVID-19.[55]
- 29 April – Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu, 68, Queen regent of the Zulus.[56]
May
- 23 May - Emmanuel Mjokes Matsane, South African musician, 54; car accident.[57]
- 31 May - MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa, South African actor, 72; Covid 19.[58][59]
June
- 7 June - Shaleen Surtie-Richards, 66, actress (Fiela se kind, Egoli: Place of Gold, Supersterre)[60][61]
- 13 June - Khaya Xaba, South African Politician, Illness.[62]
- 17 June - Jabu Mabuza, 63, South African businessman, Covid 19 related illness.[63]
- 22 June - Luzuko Nteleko, 36, South African actor. [64]
July
- 1 July –
- Steve Kekana, 62, South African singer.[65]
- Mutodi Neshehe, 46, South African actor (b. 1975).[66]
- 12 July -
- DR. Ben Ngubane former Priemer of KwaZulu-Natal, Covid 19. [67]
- Nokuzola Mlengana, 59, South African actress.[68]
- 15 July –
- Ebrahim Desai, 58, South African Mufti.[69]
- 27 July - Sindi Buthelezi South African actress, 32.[70][71]
- 30 July – Shona Ferguson, 47, South African actor & film-maker, COVID-19.[72]
August
- 3 August – Allan Stephenson, 71, British-born South African composer, cellist, and conductor.[73]
- 9 August - Killer Kau, 23, South African musician, car accident.[74]
- 9 August - Mpura, 26, South African musician, car accident
September
- 6 September - Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, 59, South African politician, COVID-19.[75]
- 18 September - Jolidee Matongo, 45–46, South African politician, car accident.[76]
November
- 11 November -Fredericks Willem De Klerk, 85, South African former president
See also
Wikinews has related news:
Country overviews
Related timelines for current period
References
- ^ "Heads of Superior Courts". www.judiciary.org.za. 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "South Africa to receive first COVID vaccines in January". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera English. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ^ Allen, John (31 January 2021). "South Africa's Zuma Goes Rogue, Defies Top Court". allAfrica.com. all Africa. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Limpopo province flooded following Cyclone Eloise". news.yahoo.com. Reuters. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ Pillay, Kirthana; Rumney, Emma (January 26, 2021). "Thirteen dead, thousands homeless in southern Africa after storm Eloise". news.yahoo.com. Reuters. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Rhino poaching in South Africa falls during Covid-19 lockdown". news.yahoo.com. BBC News. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ Allen, John (1 February 2021). "South Africa: Former President Zuma Defies Constitutional Court Ruling to Testify on State Capture". allAfrica.com. All Africa. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "BREAKING | It is official, Port Elizabeth has a new name — Gqeberha". DispatchLIVE. February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Princewill, Nimi (February 25, 2021). "South Africans get their tongues round Gqeberha, the new name for Port Elizabeth". CNN. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "South Africa plans special court to help unblock land redistribution". news.yahoo.com. Reuters. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ Majola, Nokulunga (9 March 2021). "South Africa: "It Is a Sin That South Africans Can Do This to Their Fellow Africans" Says Witness to Durban Violence". allAfrica.com. Ground Up. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ "One killed as police clash with students protesting over fees at S.Africa's Wits university". news.yahoo.com. Reuters. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ Princewill, Nimi (March 26, 2021). ""I'm always chased away and victimized," says shopper told his traditional clothing is 'indecent' in South Africa mall". CNN. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Late Zulu king's third wife appointed regent". msn.com. BBC News. March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ MAGOME, MOGOMOTSI (March 25, 2021). "Protest in South Africa over conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray". news.yahoo.com. AP. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "All members of South Africa's ANC charged with corruption must step aside or face suspension - Ramaphosa". news.yahoo.com. Reuters. March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ^ "South African woman gives birth to 10 babies in Pretoria - reports". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "There are no babies, admits father of 'Tembisa 10'". www.news24.com/.
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- ^ "President appoints DBE Minister as Acting President". 2 July 2021.
- ^ "South African ex-president's corruption trial set for May". AP NEWS. 23 February 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Public holidays in South Africa | South African Government". gov.za. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ IMRAY, GERALD (February 25, 2021). "Semenya taking case to European Court of Human Rights". ABC News. AP. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Evans, Jenni. "Covid-19 claims 'sport unifier' Mluleki George". News24.
- ^ "King Victor Thulare III described as a youthful, visionary leader". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. January 17, 2021.
- ^ "PAC stalwart Johnson Mlambo passes away from COVID-19 complications". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. January 10, 2021.
- ^ News, Eyewitness. "Safta award-winning actor Lindiwe Ndlovu dies". ewn.co.za.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "SA Rugby pays tribute to former Springbok wing Hannes Viljoen". www.sarugbymag.co.za.
- ^ "Death of Loxion Kulca co-founder grips the hearts of many South Africans". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ "Veteran Ukhozi FM broadcaster Welcome Nzimande dies". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "Tributes pour in for veteran Ukhozi FM broadcaster Welcome 'Bhodloza' Nzimande".
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- ^ Mokhoali, Veronica. "Actor Sam Phillips dies".
- ^ "South Africa's Archbishop Gabuza is dead. - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. January 17, 2021.
- ^ Hoo, Sandi Kwon (January 19, 2021). "Northern Cape ANC mourns death of MP Nombulelo Hermans".
- ^ "South African cabinet minister dies of COVID-19 amid surge". AP NEWS. 21 January 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ "Minister Jackson Mthembu dies of Covid-related complications". TimesLIVE.
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- ^ "Jazz trombone legend Jonas Gwangwa dies aged 83". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "Pioneering South African AIDS researcher Joseph Sonnabend dies at 88". January 25, 2021.
- ^ Mokhoali, Veronica. "Singing legend Sibongile Khumalo has died at the age of 63". ewn.co.za.
- ^ "Humanists UK mourns Professor Lewis Wolpert CBE FRS (1929-2021)".
- ^ "South Africa's trailblazing Black food writer dies of virus". AP NEWS. 19 January 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
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- ^ "Tributes as leading South African reporter dies of COVID-19". AP NEWS. 4 March 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Stargate Actor Cliff Simon Has Passed Away At Age 58
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- ^ "Family heartbroken at actor Menzi Ngubane's death".
- ^ "ACTRESS NOXOLO MAQASHALALA HAS PASSED ON". DailySun. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- ^ Former deputy minister Elizabeth Thabethe dies from injuries sustained in crash
- ^ Feted human rights lawyer Prof Christof Heyns dies at 62
- ^ "South African Adrian Nel killed in Mozambique jihadist attack". news.yahoo.com. BBC News. March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ IU vice president emeritus Patrick O'Meara dies at 83
- ^ "KZN's first premier Frank Mdlalose passes on from COVID-19". 4 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- ^ Renowned Aids activist dies from Covid-19
- ^ "South Africa's Zulu regent Queen Dlamini Zulu dies at 65". Reuters. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
- ^ "Trompies member Emmanuel 'Mjokes' Matsane dies | eNCA". eNCA. 23 May 2021.
- ^ "#RIP: Legendary MacDonald Mthunjwa has died". News365. 1 June 2021.
- ^ Kekana, Chrizelda (June 1, 2021). "MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa died of Covid-19 related complications". TimesLive.
- ^ Naidoo, Deepika; Thakurdin, Karishma (7 June 2021). "Shaleen Surtie-Richards has died". Sowetan Live.
- ^ "Actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards dies". ENCA. Johannesburb. 7 June 2021.
- ^ Edwin Ntshidi, Masechaba Sefularo (11 June 2021). "NEHAWU NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON KHAYA XABA PASSES AWAY". EWN.
- ^ "Former Eskom board chairman Jabu Mabuza dies". South Africa: eNCA. 16 June 2021.
- ^ Modise, Kedibone. "Mzansi mourns the death of 'Muvhango' actor Luzuko Nteleko". Independent Online.
- ^ Tjiya, Emmanuel (1 July 2021). "Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Zeeman, Kyle (July 1, 2021). "Actor Mutodi Neshehe has died". Times Live.
- ^ McCain, Nicole (July 12, 2021). "Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Dr Ben Ngubane dies of Covid-19 complications | News24". News24. South Africa.
- ^ Bukola (July 12, 2021). "Actress Nokuzola 'Sis Ouma' Mlengana is dead | Fakaza News". Fakaza News.
- ^ "جنوبی افریقہ کے مشہور مفتی ابراھیم ڈیسائی صاحب کا 15 جولائی کو انتقال ہواـ پچھلے کئی روز سے ان کی طبیعت خراب چل رہی تھی" [South Afrian Mufti Ebrahim Desai passes away]. Baseerat Online (in Urdu). 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Former 'Generations' actress Sindi Buthelezi has died".
- ^ Seleme, Rae (July 28, 2021). "RIP: 'Generations' actress Sindi Buthelezi has passed away". The South African.
- ^ "Shona Ferguson confirmed deceased on Instagram profile". instagram @ferguson_films. 30 July 2021.
- ^ "Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died". The Strad. 3 August 2021.
- ^ "Amapiano artists Mpura and Killer Kau have died". Times LIVE. 9 August 2021.
- ^ Gugu Gumede is mourning. Uzalo’s MaMlambo left heartbroken.
- ^ "Joburg mayor killed in car crash". enca.com. 18 September 2021.
