In 1978, Balthazar Johannes Vorster, who had served as South Africa’s prime minister from 1966, left office. As he came to be known, John Vorster was a former member of the Ossewabrandwag, a South African group that encouraged pro-Nazi activities during World War II. Image: Wikimedia Commons
On This Day in South Africa: What happened on 29 September?
We look back on this day in world and South African history, remembering the people and events that shaped the world we live in today.
In 1978, Balthazar Johannes Vorster, who had served as South Africa’s prime minister from 1966, left office. As he came to be known, John Vorster was a former member of the Ossewabrandwag, a South African group that encouraged pro-Nazi activities during World War II. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Look at what happened on this day 29 September in history. From various achievements and milestones throughout human history to groundbreaking inventions and events that shaped the world we live in today.
Here is a look at some of the most notable events that happened on this day
ON THIS DAY: 29 SEPTEMBER
1978 | Balthazar Johannes Vorster, who had served as South Africa’s prime minister from 1966, left office. As he came to be known, John Vorster was a former member of the Ossewabrandwag, a South African group that encouraged pro-Nazi activities during World War II.
2008 | The Great Recession was brought on by the stock market meltdown that followed the failure of the Emergency Economic Stabilisation Act’s first House of Representatives vote of the United States.
2009 | The tsunami caused by the 8.1 Mw earthquake in Samoa killed over 189 people and injured hundreds more.
2011 | In the Vachathi case, the special court in India found all 269 accused officials guilty of atrocities against Dalits and 17 of rape.
2013 | At the Nigerian College of Agriculture, Boko Haram militants killed over 42 people.
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BIRTHDAYS
1970 | South African Paralympic swimmer, Ebert Kleynhans.
1981 | South African footballer, Siyabonga Sangweni.
1983 | South Korean actress, Yoon Seung-ah
1988 | American basketball player, Kevin Durant.
1999 | South Korean singer, Choi Ye-na.
DEATHS
2000 | English journalist and politician, John Grant, 68.
2004 | English historian, Patrick Wormald, 57.
2015 | Saudi Arabian prince, Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 83.
2017 | Indian actor, Tom Alter, 67.
2019 | German-American music critic, Martin Bernheimer, 83.
SPORTS
1971 | On this day, Chelsea records the highest score ever by an English club in a European match. At Stamford Bridge, they defeated Luxembourg’s Jeunesse Hautcharage 13-0 to win the European Cup Winners Cup 21-0 overall.
ENTERTAINMENT
2009 | Lynyrd Skynyrd released “Gods & Guns”, their 13th album.
AFRICA FACT
In Africa, Algeria has the lowest rate of malnutrition (2.5%). Accordingly, 97.5% of Algerians eat healthily.
