Friday, 24 July 1964
A time bomb placed in the Johannesburg railway station exploded during the evening rush hours. The explosion resulted in the death of one person and severe injuries to more than twenty others, including Clasina Vogel. She was severely injured with burn wounds to her body, hands, legs, face and head, shrapnel wounds to her legs and burst eardrums. It later emerged that Frederick John Harris, a teacher and member of the African Resistance Movement (ARM), was responsible for this incident. He was charged with murder and two counts of sabotage. Harris was convicted by Justice Ludorf and sentenced to death.
Wednesday, 24 July 1974
Dissatisfaction with the Coloured Persons Representative Council (CPRC), instituted in September 1969, climaxed with a motion of no confidence in separate development. This was followed, on 29 July, by a walkout of the Federal Party after its third defeat in three days by the Labour Party, led by Sonny Leon. The Federal Party was prepared to co-operate with the government within the framework of Apartheid, while the Labour Party was strongly opposed to it. While the Labour party won more seats in the CPRC election, the scale was tipped in favour of the Federal party when the government appointed all twenty nominated members from the ranks of the latter party. This caused great bitterness in the ranks of the Labour Party.
Thursday, 24 July 1980
The biggest strike by the migrant municipal workers took place in Johannesburg, the largest and most industrialised city in South Africa. The strike involved over 10,000 African municipal workers. Apart from a wage crisis, the strike was centered around the migrant labour system under apartheid. In addition to restricting the freedom of mobility of the migrant worker and his family, it further created additional difficulties within the field of trade union organisations. Migrant workers were not allowed to join trade unions, as they were not representing a stable and permanent labour force. These workers demonstrated their advanced class consciousness and willingness to take militant action despite the possible consequences during the strike.
Thursday, 24 July 1986
Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda publicly rebuked Britain’s foreign secretary, Geoffrey Howe, accusing him and President Reagan of supporting South Africa’s apartheid government. The attack by Kaunda on Howe and Reagan came at the height of popular unrest across South Africa. Kaunda’s anger was prompted by Reagan’s rejection of stronger United States (US) economic sanctions. Kaunda said; “As a fellow human being, Sir Geoffrey, I must welcome you. But as a messenger of what you have come to do in South Africa, you are not welcome at all.” Howe denied the accusation, saying he was trying to end apartheid peacefully rather than through violence.
He went on lashing out at Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, accusing them of conspiring to defend white supremacy in South Africa by resisting international pressure for sanctions.
Saturday, 24 July 1999
Benedict Saul (Benni) McCarthy of Bafana Bafana, accepted a contract of R38, 5 million to play for the Spanish club Real Club Celta de Vigo. The amount (over 6m Euro) was at the time the most expensive transfer for a South African player.
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