Tuesday, 24 April 1821
After magistrate Andries Stockenstrom had donated a piece of land and six windows, building started on the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in Graaff-Reinet.
The corner stone was laid on this date and the historic four-gabled church building was finished later in the same year.
In 1965 Dr Anton Rupert prevented the breaking down of the church and restored it to its former glory.
The building has since been converted into an art museum and named the Hester Rupert Art Museum in honour of Rupert’s mother.
It is the 6th oldest building in South Africa and houses some of the best paintings and graphic works of South African artists.
Wednesday, 24 April 1901
On 24 April 1901 a comet known simply as ‘The Great Comet of 1901’ or ‘Viscara’ was visible to the naked eye over most of South Africa.
The comet was yellowish in colour and remained visible for the next month until 25 May.
The comet was first spotted by astronomers at the Royal Observatory in Cape of Good Hope,
Friday, 24 April 1987
After protests against Barclays Bank’s involvement in South Africa and its apartheid government, Barclays Bank (SA) announced its new name – First National Bank of Southern Africa (FNB) – a wholly South African owned and controlled entity.
Sir Timothy Bevan, chairman of Barclays, admitted that while the decision to pull out of the South African market was a commercial one, the pressure exerted against the bank by anti-apartheid protesters had a detrimental effect on the bank’s business in other areas.
Student campaigns against Barclays Bank, initiated in the 1960s, was carried on year after year, especially at the beginning of every academic year, to persuade students not to open accounts with the bank.
Saturday, 24 April 1993
In April 1993 former President of the African National Congress (ANC),Oliver “OR”? Tambo died in Johannesburg after a long battle with illness.
His death came 14 days after the assassination of the South African Communist Party (SACP)secretary-general, Chris Hani.
Tambo had served as the ANC President from 1969 until 1991.
He was succeeded by Nelson Mandela at the ANC conference held in Durban.
O.R as he was popularly known by his peers played an essential role in holding the ANC together locally and in exile when the organisation was banned.
Tambo dedicated all his life to the struggle for liberation.
Unfortunately he did not live long enough to be part of a democratic, non-racial South Africa which became reality nearly a year after his death in April 1994.
Tuesday, 24 April 2001
Jacob Zuma, then SA deputy president, launched the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) at a dinner hosted by the National Department of Public Works at the presidential house in Pretoria.
International and local guests from the building and construction industries attended the launch.
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