Tiyo Soga, the first black Southern African to study at a university, in Scotland, is ordained as the first black South African minister of the United Presbyterian Church. Because of the racism he encounters from white South Africans, which is compounded by his marriage to a white Scotswoman, and his Xhosa people's rejection of him for being “a black Englishman,” he will minister among South Africa’s Ngqika people. He will have eight sons who will be prominent in South African affairs, including Kirkland Soga, South Africa’s first black lawyer, and Jotello Soga, South Africa’s first black veterinarian.

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The sacred Incwala ceremony of Swazieland (Eswatini), traditionally held three days after the first full moon after the southern hemisphere’s summer solstice, is attended by 40,000 warriors from King Mbandzeni’s traditional regiments. This is the largest recorded Incwala gathering.

At the age of five months, Swazi Prince Mona (pic: left) becomes Paramount Chief of Swazieland (Eswatini). His grandmother Queen Regent Labotsibeni (pic: right) will rule the country with his uncle Prince Malunge until the prince is inducted as King Sobhuza II in 1921. As a crowned head of state, the U.K.’s Queen Elizabeth will rule longer, but some Swazi historians date Sobhuza’s reign from today, making his reign (if not his actual rule, of which Queen Elizabeth’s was longer) the longest in modern history. He will have 70 official wives, who bear him 210 children.

Upper Ubangi, a separate French colony in Central Africa (and part of a future Central African Republic) is incorporated into the French Congo. The area is soon exploited for its ivory, which will decimate elephant herds.

South Africa’s first radio station is established, by the Durban Corporation. The station has no call letters, and is named “Durban and Pietermaritzburg Calling.” A transmitter with a broadcast radius of 160 km is placed atop Durban City Hall. Programmes are in English. A radio station broadcasting in the Afrikaans language will be established in Natal in 1925.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is adopted by the U.N. General Assembly meeting in Paris. For the first time, fundamental human rights are established, including the right to freedom, security, protection of the law, nationality and participation in governance. Prohibited are arbitrary arrest, discrimination, torture and other measures of state oppression. The declaration will play a significant role in Africa’s independence movement against colonialism and against future dictators, war criminals and human rights violators.

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The Old Location Massacre occurs in Old Location, a segregated area where black and other non-white groups must reside in Windhoek, South West Africa (Namibia). The first mass-action called by the South West Africa National Union party is a protest of evictions that are intended to clear the area for white occupancy. The territory is administered by South Africa, which runs it as an apartheid state. Police open fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing 11. When Namibia achieves Independence, this day will be commemorated as Human Rights Day.

South Africa’s Albert Luthuli, president of the African National Congress, becomes the first black African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Luthuli is awarded for his work to establish non-racial, democratic governance in South Africa. He accepts the award wearing traditional ceremonial garments, as one of the Zulu people’s chiefs.

Zanzibar gains its independence, from Britain. The island nation will join mainland Tanganyika to form Tanzania in April 1964. The capital is Zanzibar City. The island’s population is 74,000.

Egyptian President Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat receives the Nobel Peace Prize, shared with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, for their work at normalising relations between the countries after three wars, and for seeking peace in the Middle East.

South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives the Nobel Peace Prize, for his efforts to end apartheid. The ceremony in Oslo is delayed 20 minutes because of a bomb threat.

South Africans Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk jointly receive the Nobel Peace Prize for transitioning apartheid South Africa to a non-racial democratic state.

The “most liberal constitution in the world,” is signed by South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela. Based on the principles laid out in the 1993 Interim Constitution, it contains amendments that resulted from years of negotiations and consultations.

Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Anan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, receives the Nobel Peace Prize for his work at the U.N. and his efforts to contain the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Morocco launches its first satellite, for use in navigational guidance.

Rodrigues Island, the easternmost location of Africa (19.7245° S, 63.4272° E in the Indian Ocean) remains a part of Mauritius, but begins autonomous governance, with Port Mathurin as its capital.

Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai receives the Nobel Peace Prize for her decades of work to end deforestation, while simultaneously empowering women, with the “Green Belt Movement.”

Egypt’s Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, receives the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end the military use of nuclear energy and to promote the peaceful use of atomic power.

Two Liberian women – Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and peace activist Leymah Gbowee – are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly, along with Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman, for their work to improve women’s safety and their participation in peace-building processes.

The memorial service for South Africa’s first democratically-elected president, liberation icon Nelson Mandela, draws a host of African dignitaries and world leaders to FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Mandela died on 5 December 2013. His body will lay in state at Pretoria's Union Buildings from tomorrow until 13 December. His funeral will be held on 15 December.

The Tunisian Dialogue Quartet (consisting of the Tunisian General Labor Union; the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts; the Tunisian Human Rights League; and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers) receives the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to establish a peaceful democratic process following the Tunisia Revolution of 2011.

Congolese Doctor Denis Mukwege accepts the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for his work with wartime rape victims and for his advocacy to end sexual violence as a weapon of war in armed conflicts.

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accepts the Nobel Peace Prize, for his success at normalising relations with Eritrea, a long-time foe of Ethiopia, and for helping stabalise the Horn of Africa. During the past decade, seven of the 10 Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded to Africans.