About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

1957

Alexandra Township Bus Boycott as result of increase in bus fares. Thousands of residents walk 20km to work and back.

Pound-a-Day national minimum wage campaign launched as result of Alexandra boycott.

Women's anti-pass demonstrations all year throughout the country. Mass anti-pass demonstration in Johannesburg,

The women in Zeerust are particularly militant and burn their passes as a result of the deposing of their chief Mailoa who supports them. Widespread unrest results. People shot, beaten and their homes burned to the ground by police.

Women protest against beerhall system. Law prevents home brewing but allow municipal beerhalls which provide the major source of revenue for township administration.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.