Friday, 15 May 1970
South Africa suffered heavily in the international sports arena as result of its apartheid policy.
Prior to the Tokyo Olympic games in 1964, South Africa was banned from taking part in the games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after serious threats by African nations and the Soviet countries.
On 15 May 1970, the IOC extended South Africa’s ban, resulting in the country’s exclusion from the 1972 games in Munich, Germany until the 1996 Atlanta games.
Thursday, 15 May 1902
After the Second Anglo-Boer War (South African War), which had started on 11 October 1899, there were attempts to reach peace.
On 15 May 1902, thirty delegates from each republic, Transvaal and Orange Free State attended the Peace Conference, which was held in Vereeniging.
The delegates were elected by the commandos after two republic leaders Gen. L. Botha and M.T Steyn held meetings with them in their respective territories.
The 60 Boer representatives converged at Vereeniging Conference to discuss their independent status.
They elected General C.F Beyers as chairman.
The discussions were recorded under the supervision of two secretaries for the republics Rev. J. D. Kestell and D. E. van Velden.
During the Conference, President M.T Steyn of Orange Free State got ill and was moved to the Krugersdorp Hospital for medical attention. General C.R. de Wet represented him until the peace was signed in Pretoria on 31 May 1902.
The delegates at conference appointed five members commission consisting of Gens, Louis Botha, C.R de Wet, J.H. de la Rey, J.B. Hertzog and J.C Smuts to negotiate with British representatives Lord Kitchner and Alfred Milner in Pretoria from 19 May onwards.
After long discussions the delegates conceded to the British proposal to relinquish their independence and become British colonies with 54 votes to 6.
The peace was then signed on 31 May 1902 in Melrose House, Pretoria.
Friday, 15 May 1992
The second plenary session of the Congress for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA II) was convened in Johannesburg.
Unlike the first session CODESA II ended in a deadlock as parties involved could not agree on an interim government and a constitution.
The first sitting, CODESA I in March 1992 laid an important foundation for future multi party talks in South Africa, including the setting of a date to finalise outstanding issues, but was delayed for two months.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) refused to attend the CODESA II in protest against what it perceived as undermining Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini’s traditional role as political leader.
Less than a month later ANC President, Nelson Mandela announced that he was suspending all talks with the Government in the wake of a massacre in Boipatong on 17 June when more than 40 were killed, and scores injured.
It is believed that most of them were supporters of the ANC.
Saturday, 15 May 1993
On 15 May 1993, Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala, won the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) world champion title.
Matlala had been introduced to boxing at a young age by his father, and turned professional in 1979. Under the guidance of Theo Mthembu, Matlala won his first professional victory against Fraser Plaatjie in Port Elizabeth in 1980.
Matlala then went on to become the South African Flyweight Champion, and later won the International Boxing Association (IBA) Flyweight title in 1997.
Matlala was preceded by Pat Clinton in the Flyweight WBO world champion title, and later succeeded by Alberto Jimenez, who later defeated him in the 10th round at Hammanskraal.
Thursday, 15 May 1997
Judge Pieter Combrinck finds Dirk Coetzee, Apartheid policeman and Vlakplaas assassination squad Commander together with Almond Nofomela and David Tshikakalanga guilty of murdering human rights lawyer and UDF activist Griffiths Mxenge.
Mxenge was murdered in 1981 and his mutilated body was found near Umlazi Stadium outside Durban. His wife, Victoria Mxenge, was assassinated in 1985 outside her home in Umlazi.
In 1990, Dirk Coetzee and his Security Police ‘hit squad’ was investigated by a Commission of Inquiry ordered by President F.W. de Klerk.
The Commission led by Judge Louis Harms heard testimonies from Coetzee and others.
Coetzee related how he watched a colleague murder Mxenge.
In 1996, Coetzee had to appear again, this time before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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