The following lists events that happened during 1937 in South Africa.
Incumbents Monarch: King George VI. Governor-General: The Earl of Clarendon (until 19 March), John Stephen Curlewis (acting, 19 March to 5 April) Sir Patrick Duncan (starting 5 April). Prime Minister: James Barry Munnik Hertzog. Chief Justice: John Stephen Curlewis.
Events January 15 – The Empire Exhibition, South Africa closes in Johannesburg.
February 1 – The Aliens Act No. 1 is promulgated, restricting and regulating the entry of certain aliens into the Union of South Africa and regulating the right of any person to assume a surname.
April 5 – Sir Patrick Duncan is appointed the 6th Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, the first South African to hold the position.
October
1 – The Afrikaner nationalist newspaper Die Transvaler was launched in Johannesburg by Voortrekkerpers, with Hendrik Verwoerd (future prime minister and architect) as its first editor. It was a pro-National Party and played a crucial role in promoting Afrikaner nationalism.
Births Eric Bhamuza Sono, captain of Orlando Pirates F.C. and was the father of soccer player & coach Jomo Sono (d. 1964) 29 March – Marike de Klerk, politician, First Lady of South Africa, wife of F. W. de Klerk (d. 2001) 5 May – Ray Ntlokwana, actor, affectionately known as "Velaphi" following his lead role in the SABC Xhosa play, Velaphi 1 July – Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, political activist (d. 2021) 4 July – Clive Scott (actor), actor 6 July – Bessie Head, writer (d. 1986) 4 August – Koos van der Merwe, politician (d. 2024) 18 September – Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, politician, in Kroonstad. (d. 2009) 19 October – Jonas Gwangwa, jazz musician, songwriter and producer
Deaths
Railways
Locomotives Four new locomotive types, three steam and one electric, enter service on the South African Railways (SAR): The first of 235 Class 19D 4-8-2 Mountain type steam locomotives.South African Railways and Harbours Locomotive Diagram Book, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge Steam Locomotives, 15 August 1941, as amended A single Class 21 Texas type steam locomotive. The first of thirty-four narrow gauge 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type Garratt locomotives. Three German-built 3 kV DC Class 2E electric locomotives.South African Railways Index and Diagrams Electric and Diesel Locomotives, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge, circa 1940, as amended
References