Friday, 22 October 1971
Amanda Coetzer began playing tennis at the age of six, and began her professional tennis career in 1988. At only 1,58m in height, her petite stature did not hinder her performance as she has managed to beat bigger players throughout her career, earning her the nick-name of ‘Giant-killer’.
Coetzer made her biggest impact in the tennis world in 1997 when she was ranked third in the world. Between 1990 and 2000, she managed to beat Steffi Graf, participated in the Olympics three times and won 7 singles and 7 doubles titles.
Monday, 22 October 1990
The African National Congress (ANC) announced that a high level meeting had been arranged for an unspecified date with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and its leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The ANC had previously resisted calls for such a meeting, saying it wanted to treat all ‘homeland’ leaders similarly.
The proposed meeting came about after Buthelezi had snubbed the ANC and other homeland leaders who met on 5 October 1990. The ANC held the view that Buthelezi’s participation and co-operation in peace-making was essential.
Tuesday, 22 October 1991
Japan lifted its economic sanctions against South Africa, which included bans on the importation of gold coins and steel, as well as direct investment loans. Japan’s stated position was that it had taken note of reform and stability in South Africa and wished to indicate interest in establishing full democratic and investment relations again.
Significantly, the lifting of sanctions was accompanied by the signing of a five-year contract the previous day by the South African steel group, Iscor, and six leading Japanese steel companies.
Friday, 22 October 1999
This was a red-letter day in South African boxing history as both Zolile Mbityi and Peter Malinga captured world titles. Mbityi, the South African flyweight champion, won the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight title, while Peter Malinga, the South African welterweight champion, won the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight title.
The number of South African world champions peaked in the 1990s. The country had six world champions in 1995, five the following year and six in 1997. In 1998 the number stood at eight, and in 1999 there were five world title holders in the country.
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