On this Day in History 3 September
Learn what happened on this day in history
Wednesday, 3 September 1919
General Jan Christian Smuts started his first term as prime minister of the Union of South Africa after the death of General Louis Botha on 27 August 1919. Smuts was a man of exceptional intellect and an internationally esteemed statesman who contributed tirelessly to the formation of the League of Nations, an international body with the aim of preserving world peace by preventing future wars through multinational dialogue and co-operation. Despite his international standing the Smuts government had to face mounting criticism in the early 1920s. His stern measures to quell revolts in 1921 (Bulhoek massacre), 1922 (Rand Revolt) and May 1922 (Bondelswarts/Bondelzwarts rebellion) made him unpopular, while his pro-British approach further alienated him from the Afrikaners. The heaviest blow to his government came in April 1923, when the two opposition parties, the Labour Party (LP) and National Party (NP), agreed to join forces against the South African Party (SAP) in the next election. When his party lost Wakkerstroom in a by-election in April 1924, reducing the majority of the SAP party in the House of Assembly to eight, Smuts announced a general election to be held in June 1924. The NP and LP easily unseated the Smuts government in this election.
Keesing’s Record of World Events states this date as 31 August, while seven other consulted sources do not give the exact date
Friday, 3 September 1976
Since the launch of the world’s first telecommunications satellite, Telstar, in 1962, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) recognised the potential for a satellite communications system that would aid distress situations at sea.
In February 1966, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) began to investigate the requirements for a satellite systems entirely devoted to maritime purposes. In 1973, the IMO held a conference to establish a maritime communications systems based on satellite technology.
The conference first began in 1975, and after three sessions, the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organisation (Inmarsat) was adopted on 3 September 1976, along with an Operating Agreement.
As defined by the convention, the purpose of Inmarsat was to improve maritime communications, thereby improving communications during distress at sea and increasing sea safety. This convention was also created to improve the management of ships, maritime correspondence services and radio-determination capabilities.
Sources state that since its inception, South Africa was party to this convention; however other sources state that this convention was only put into force in South Africa by Telkom in 1994.
Monday, 3 September 1979
On 3 September 1979, Dr. Frederik van Zyl Slabbert was elected as the leader of the opposition party, the Progressive Federal Party (PFP). He took over from Colin Wells Eglin, who was elected the party’s National Chairman. Eglin replaced van Zyl Slabbert when he resigned in 1986.
Born in Pretoria to an Afrikaner family, van Zyl Slabbert grew up in Pietersburg (now known as Polokwane). Van Zyl Slabbert matriculated from the Pietersburg Afrikaans High School in 1958. His political career blossomed during his academic studies at the University of Stellenbosch, leading him to reject Apartheid and to stand for a seat on Stellenbosch University’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC). Unfortunately he lost the election as he was considered to be too liberal. Van Zyl Slabbert served as the leader of the PFP for 12 years. He died on 14 May 2010 at his home in Johannesburg after battling with a liver-related complication.
Monday, 3 September 1984
Boipatong, Bophelong, Evaton, Sebokeng and Sharpeville, five Black townships in the area known as the Vaal Triangle exploded into what some have described as a ‘smouldering human rage’. The catalyst for the violence was rent increases proposed by the Black-run town councils. Three township councillors, including the deputy mayor of the Vaal Triangle, Kuzwayo Jacob Dlamini, were killed in mob violence on this day. In the weeks following the killings five men and one woman who become internationally known as the “Sharpeville Six” , were tried, convicted and sentenced to hang for the killings.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
