The following lists events that happened during 1960 in South Africa.
Incumbents Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General: Charles Robberts Swart (from 12 January).Archontology.org: A Guide for Study of Historical Offices: South Africa: Governors-General: 1910-1961 (Accessed on 14 April 2017) Prime Minister: Hendrik Verwoerd. Chief Justice: Lucas Cornelius Steyn.
Events January 21 – 435 miners die in the Coalbrook mining disaster, the worst mine disaster in South Africa.
February 3 – Harold Macmillan delivers his Wind of Change speech to the Parliament of South Africa in Cape Town.
March 21 – Police kill an estimated 69 people during the Sharpeville massacre. 22 – Hendrik Verwoerd tells Parliament that the Anti-Pass Resistance in Sharpeville, Gauteng was not targeted against the government. 23 – Robert Sobukwe, leader of the Pan Africanist Congress, Albert Lutuli and 11 others are arrested for incitement of riots. 24 – All public meetings of more than 12 people are banned. 30 – The government declares a State of Emergency.
April 8 – The government bans the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress with the coming into effect of the Unlawful Organisations Act. 9 – David Pratt shoots and wounds Hendrik Verwoerd, the Prime Minister of South Africa, (in revenge for the Sharpeville massacre) while he opens the Rand Easter Show at Milner Park, Johannesburg. 19 – The South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) is founded in Windhoek, South West Africa.
May 4 – Robert Sobukwe, President of the Pan Africanist Congress, is sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for incitement of black Africans to urge the repeal of pass laws. 6 – Umhlobo Wenene FM is founded.
July 15 – The first Boeing 707 arrives in South Africa.South African History Online - The first Boeing 707 jet aircraft arrives in South Africa (Accessed on 13 April 2017)
October 5 – The white population votes in a referendum to sever South Africa's last links with the British monarchy and become a republic.South Africa, 5 October 1960: Proclamation of the Republic Direct Democracy
November 14 – Serial Killer "Pangaman" Elias Xitavhudzi is hanged for the murders of 16 white men and women in Atteridgeville in the 1950s. Births 12 March – Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, actor 14 April – Pat Symcox, cricketer 8 June – Frank Opperman, actor 24 June – Carel du Plessis, rugby player 16 July – PJ Powers, musician 24 August – Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, politician 25 August – David Mabuza, Deputy President of South Africa (d. 2025) 13 September – Kevin Carter, photojournalist (d. 1994) 18 October – Mark Mathabane, author, lecturer and college professor Deaths 13 June – Ken McArthur, athlete. (b. 1881) References