After the death of Roman Emperor Constantine, who banished him from Alexandria in Roman Egypt, Christian Church leader and theologian Athanasius I is allowed to return to Egypt. Rome's new Emperor Julian revokes the ban on bishops of the Galileans (Christians). Athanasius convenes a meeting of all Christian sects, and urges unity despite their theological differences.
The worst railway accident in Mauritius’ history occurs when a storm contributes to the derailment of a passenger train. Six passenger cars fall into the Saint-Louis River. 40 people are killed and hundreds are injured.
The modernist Africa Hall is completed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Built as the permanent headquarters for the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, the building’s many conference halls will be used in 1963 by delegations meeting to form the Organisation of African Unity.
South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambaso wins its first Grammy Award: Best Traditional Folk Album for Shaka Zulu.
As South Africa adjusts to normalcy following the apartheid era, racial segregation and the entitlement of white supremacy remain dangers. Sixteen black children arrive to register at the previously all-white Potgietersrus Primary School. The authorities find it wise to have them escorted by police officers.
Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi is killed by Angolan government soldiers. His death effectively brings to an end the Angola Civil War that began 27 years earlier, in 1975.
A major earthquake of 7.4 magnitude strikes northwest Mozambique near Zimbabwe. Four deaths are reported.
South Sudan model Anok Yai is the first black women to open a Prada fashion house show in 21 years. She is only the second black woman to be awarded this honour, which climaxes her meteoric rise in the past year from an anonymous young woman who had her picture go viral on Instagram (pic) to one of the world’s Top 10 models.
Under a new Namibian law that seeks greater local benefits from the country’s natural resources, Namibia’s 83 wildlife conservancies, which have the capacity to handle 200,000 guests, must now return 50% of their profits to surrounding communities.
Namibia becomes the first African country to export beef to the U.S. After 18 years of negotiations with U.S. authorities, Namibia's high-quality beef won approval. The shipment paves the way for other African meats to be sold in the lucrative American market.
South African writer, publisher, educationalist and politician, in Inhanda, Natal Colony. As an educator, he founded the Ohlange High School in Natal in 1901, based on the Tuskegee Institute in the U.S. At Ohlange, he popularised as the school song what would become the South African National Anthem, Nkhosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. As a publisher, he founded Ilanga, a newspaper in isiZulu, in 1903. He wrote extensively on historic Zulu royalty. He was the founding president of the South African Native National Congress, which would become the anti-apartheid liberation party the African National Congress.
Egyptian dancer and actress, in Ismaïlia, Egypt. She became Egypt’s most famous belly dancer in starring roles in movie musicals. As a dramatic actress, she featured in some of Egypt’s biggest hit films of the 1960s and early 1970s.
Dictator of the Central African Republic from his seizure of power in a military coup d’état in 1965 to his overthrow in another coup d’état in 1979, in Bobangui, French Equatorial Africa. Eccentric and dangerous, he crowned himself emperor and changed the country’s name to Central African Empire. At his 1987 trial, he was found guilty of crimes including the murder of schoolchildren.
Tanzanian-born musician based in Kenya, in Mara Region, Tanganyika Territory. Known as “the grandfather of benga,” a music he pioneered, he led the popular group the Shirati Jazz Collective.
Fashion editor, in Accra, Ghana. A fashion industry prodigy as a teen, at 18 he became editor of the British magazine i-D. For two decades, he influenced fashion with the magazine, until he assumed one of the world fashion industry’s top media roles as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017, and as Editorial Director of Condé Nast for Europe.
South African rapper, in Durbanville, Western Cape, South Africa. Rapping in the Afrikaans language, he collaborated with the top Afrikaner rappers like Die Antwoord in addition to his own work, which began with the 2010 CD Jack Parow.
