The South African International Exhibition is held in Cape Town, Cape Colony. In addition to South Africa's two British colonies (Cape and Natal) and two Boer Republics (Orange Free State and Transvaal), 14 countries exhibited at the World’s Fair, displaying their cultures, industries and tourist attractions: Austria, Belgium, Bohermia, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, Prussia, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S.
The first electric streetlights in South Africa are illuminated, in Kimberely. Market Street is turned from night to day, but only for today’s first test after bulbs prove to have been damaged in shipping. The system is repaired, and the streetlights begin regular nighttime use on 1 September.
The Siege of Kimberley ends after 124 days and 42 deaths. British reinforcements overcome the Boer Army that has surrounded the South African town during the Second Anglo-Boer War. The town was shelled daily but for Sundays, and with water, medicine and food supplies cut, the civilian population suffered greatly.
The first Ford automobile to be sold outside of North America has arrived by ship to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and is being sent by train to Johannesburg. While on business in the U.S. in September last year, its owner, Arthur Youldon, met Henry Ford shortly after Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company. He was impressed when Ford demonstrated a “Model T” with a top speed of 45 km per hour, and he placed an order. In 2023, the car can be seen at the Heidelberg Transport Museum near Johannesburg
The tallest building ever constructed in Africa, the 18-floor Mutual Building opens in Cape Town, Union of South Africa. One of the world’s best and last art deco office towers, the headquarters of the South African Mutual Life Assurance Company features air conditioning and elaborate art deco styling.
A monument in Windhoek, South West Africa (Namibia) displaying the 31 pieces of the Gibeon meteorite, is declared a national monument. In centuries past, the meteorite’s pieces were used by the Nama people as tools. Of the 33 pieces originally collected, two have been stolen. In 2016, the Cabot Company in the U.S. will use the stolen meteorites to make a set of the world’s only guns ever made of meteorite material, and put their worth at US$4.5 million. Neither Namibia nor the Nama people will profit from the sale.
The Global Day of Action against the Iraq War is observed. The largest demonstration in history, involving 25 million people in 150 countries, is called by the International Campaign Against Aggression Against Iraq, chaired by former Algerian President Ben Bella.
The first Sauti za Busara Swahili Music Festival takes place in Zanzibar. Drawing an international audience, the mix of music, dance and other performing arts will become an annual celebration of Swahili culture.
The popular uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s ruler since 1969, begins with a protest by 500 people in front of the Benghazi police headquarters. They are angry at the arrest of human rights lawyer Fathi Terbil. Police violently break up the demonstration. After 247 days of such activism, Gaddafi will be overthrown.
Oscar Pistorius, a paralympian hero from South Africa, is arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. The world is transfixed by the “Valentine’s Day Killing” and a global audience will view live television coverage of Pistorius’ murder trial.
Nigerian singer and songwriter, in Lagos, Nigeria. A musician skilled on keyboards, guitar and traditional Nigerian instruments, he specialises in Fuji, sometimes described as Islamic gospel music.
South African singer and record producer, in Kwa Nobuhle Township, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Despite apartheid segregation of the races in education, in 1988 he became the first black student allowed into the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School, where his younger brothers Loyiso and Phelo would later study. The trio established the popular group The Bala Brothers, touring internationally and recording a Top 10 gospel album in the U.S. Zwai was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2011 for an album he produced for the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Kenyan long-distance runner who solidified Kenya’s reputation for world-class long distance running, in Eldoret, Kenya. She won the Boston Marathon three times (setting the then course record in 2014) and marathons in Chicago, Stockholm, and Milan. At the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan she ran the marathon as a member of Kenya's team.
