German geologist Hans Meyer and his local guides are the first known persons to reach the highest peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. He records the height as 5,895 metres (19,341 ft). (pic: Mt. Kilimanjaro in 1889)
In Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), the town of Bulawayo (pic: Bulawayo Government House) is connected by railway to the colonial administrative capital Salisbury (Harare), establishing an important transportation link.
As the army of the Democratic Republic of Congo commits atrocities in the breakaway state of Katanga, rebel forces commit atrocities of their own. In the Kabalo region today, the Balubakat Youth group execute “prisoners” they have captured, after killing the region’s civilian administrators on 13 September.
The Egyptian Air Force launches an air strike on Israel, in coordination with Syria, to begin the Yom Kippur War. Egypt flies 130 sorties during the attack, and shoots down 30 Israeli aircraft over the Sinai Peninsula during the first day of combat.
Chad’s ruler Ngarta Tombalbaye’s policy of forcing all non-Muslim teenage males and adult men to undergo a previously-forgotten initiation rite of the minority Saras ethnic group is causing an economic and social crisis. The harsh and dangerous rites have caused businesses to close due to a lack of workers. The rites are also causing permanent physical and in some reported cases psychological damage. Increasingly despotic, Tombalbaye is nearing the point when Chad’s military will turn against him.
The radio station Sports and Youth Network begins broadcasting, from Cairo, Egypt, transmitting 24 hours a day.
Two months after the death of Kenya’s founding father Jomo Kenyatta, his Vice President, Daniel Arap Moi, is sworn into office. He becomes Kenya’s second president since Independence in 1964.
Anwar el-Sadat, Egypt’s third president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is assassinated at an annual military victory parade in Cairo by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad opposed to his peace deal with Israel
Folding under domestic and international pressure, Mobutu Sese Seko, dictator of Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo), allows political parties to again operate. However, he has agents infiltrate the rival political organisations. His critics joke he is turning “multi-party” into “multi-Mobutu.”
Egypt’s second satellite TV station, Nile TV International, begins broadcasting.
South Africa’s MultiChoice cable TV service launches Direct Satellite Television Service (DStv). The service will expand into 54 countries by 2023.
Sudanese judge Nemat Abdullah Khair is appointed as Sudan's first female Chief Justice. She is also the first woman to head the judiciary of an Arab country.
Pioneering biochemist, in Oran, French Algeria. Her fascination and talent with biological science led her to become the Director of Research at the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique in Paris.
South African actor and playwright, in Port Elizabeth, Union of South Africa. He achieved success in 1973 touring Europe and the U.S. with the anti-apartheid play he co-wrote, Sizwe Banzi is Dead. He appeared in several major international films in addition to his stage work. He was arrested and held in solitary confinement for 15 days by the dictator of the South African “homeland” Transkei, who considered Sizwe Banzi is Dead to be “inflammable (sic), abusive and vulgar.” For that play, he won the U.S.’ most prestigious award, the Tony Award, for Best Actor.
Algerian film director, in Algiers, Algeria. Considered one of the most important filmmakers from Algeria, his work has been screened at top film festivals worldwide, and has been Algeria’s entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars). His film stories and documentaries took a sometimes political view of late 20th century Algerian society.
Nigerian chess master and humanitarian, in Ikorodu, Nigeria. A top-ranked chess player who learned the game as a child in the barber shop of his slum neighbourhood, he established the NGO Chess in Slums Africa as a way to empower impoverished urban children through chess, which expands their mental skills and gives them enjoyment, purpose and in some cases scholarships.
