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Policy of apartheid (separateness) adopted when National Party (NP) takes power
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Population classified by race. Group Areas Act passed to segregate blacks and whites. Communist Party banned. ANC responds with campaign of civil disobedience, led by Nelson Mandela.
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Seventy black demonstrators killed at Sharpeville. ANC banned.
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South Africa declared a republic, leaves the Commonwealth. Mandela heads ANC's new military wing, which launches sabotage campaign.
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ANC leader Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment.
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Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd assassinated.
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More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands'
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More than 600 killed in clashes between black protesters and security forces during uprising which starts in Soweto.
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Township revolt, state of emergency.
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FW de Klerk replaces PW Botha as president, meets Mandela. Public facilities desegregated. Many ANC activists freed.
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ANC unbanned, Mandela released after 27 years in prison. Namibia becomes independent.
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Start of multi-party talks. De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws, international sanctions lifted. Major fighting between ANC and Zulu Inkatha movement.
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Agreement on interim constitution.
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ANC wins general elections, Thabo Mbeki takes over as president.
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High Court rules that pregnant women must be given Aids drugs to help prevent transmission of the virus to their babies.