Umkhonto We Sizwe

History of Umkhonto we Sizwe

1961, December 16:

The formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe by the ANC, SACP and fraternal organisations is announced by a series of bomb blasts against apartheid structures in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

1962, January:

Nelson Mandela leaves South Africa for military training.

1963, October to June:

The Rivonia trail, which results in MK high command members Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Dennis Goldberg, Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni and Elias Motsoaledi's being sentenced to life imprisonment. The charge sheet at the trail lists 193 acts of sabotage.

1964, November 6:

Vuyisile Mini, Wilton Khayingo and Zizakile Mkhaba, three prominent trade unionists from Port Elizabeth, are sent to the gallows for MK activities.

1967, July 30-3:

The "Luthuli Detachment" comprising ANC and ZAPU guerrillas crosses the Zambezi river into the then Rhodesia and engages joint Smith-Vorster troops at the start of the Wankie and Sipolio battles which rage until late 1968.

1970-75:

MK reconsolidates its underground structures. Among others, Chris Hani returns to South Africa.

1971, December 16:

MK celebrates its 10th Anniversary.

1975, June 25:

The People's Republic of Mozambique is created after a protracted 10-year battle by FRELIMO troops against the Portuguese colonialists in which MK troops participated.

1975, November 11:

The People's Republic of Angola is born and within months, after the defeat of the invading South African army by the Angolan people's armed forces, MK is invited to train its cadres on Angolan soil.

1975-76:

Early MK commanders who are active in the early 1961-64 sabotage campaign are released from Robben Island. Among them are Joe Gqabi, Indres Naidoo, Ismael Ebrahim and Andrew Masondo.

1976, June 16:

More than 1,000 children are killed in Soweto by South African Police. Thousand of students leave South Africa to join MK. They are henceforth called "The June 16 Detachment"....