The Battle at Otjimbingwe claims the life of Christian Afrikaner, the son of Jonker Afrikaner who founded Windhoek, the future capital of Namibia. He is killed by the warriors of Maherero, the leader of the Herero people who are rebelling against Afrikaner’s authority over them. The battle does not alter the status quo, and Christian’s brother Jan Jonker Afrikaner (pic) will assume control over the Oorlams, Damaras and Hereros in what will become central Namibia.
After destroying Khartoum, driving British and Egyptian colonial forces nearly out of Sudan, but also committing atrocities, Islamic jihadist Muhammad Ahmed al-Mahdi dies of typhoid. The succession battle between his deputies ensues. More atrocities will be committed. Millions of Sudanese will die during the 15 years of Mahdist State power.
The French military has defeated the Kingdom of Dahomey (Benin) in the Second Dahomey War, and the French government decrees the country is a French protectorate within French West Africa.
Electric street lights are switched on for the first time in Durban, South Africa, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Britain's Queen Victoria. Durban Town Hall is already electrified by incandescent lamps (in 1888) and in 1893 the Durban Harbour Department installed a lighting plant at The Point.
The Diamond Jubilee to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria is observed by British colonialists throughout Africa. In the white settlement of Bremersdorp, Swazieland (Eswatini), Swazi King Bhunu graces the village Gymkhana of sports and banqueting held to mark the jubilee.
The first tourist train to the Zambezi River waterfalls Mosi-oa-Tunya, departs Cape Town with 30 passengers. It will arrive at the town of Victoria Falls on 28 June – a six-day trip across South Africa and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).
Only four months after West Africa’s worst aviation disaster to date killed 29 people in British Cameroon, all 40 people aboard a Pan American World Airways flight die when the Lockheed Constellation crashes into a hill near Sanoyie, Liberia.
The W. E. B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture opens to the public as a research centre and park, in Accra, Ghana. The building was the home of the American Civil Rights pioneer during the final years of his life.
South Africa liberation leader Nelson Mandela appears before the U.N. Special Commission Against Apartheid and testifies that despite recent reforms pressure must be maintained on the apartheid government, including sanctions.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is awarded an honorary doctorate from George Washington University in the U.S.
Tanzania government finds itself embroiled in controversy when it announces plans to buy a second private jet for President Benjamin Mpaka, costing £15m million, as reported by the Nyasa Times, This comes at a time when Tanzania is simultaneously seeking £270 million in aid from the U.K.
Drought in the Sahel brings widespread famine and disease, as temperatures rise regionally. Chad records its highest temperature ever, 47.6 °C (117.7 °F), at Faya-Laargau (pic).
Ghanaian composer and musical scholar, in Mampong, Gold Coast. His work as an ethnomusicologist has become the standard for teaching and studying, as well as composing, African music.
Oba of the Edo people, in Benin City, British Nigeria. As Erediauwa, he reigned from 1979 until his death in 2016. The media-friendly king raised the profile of traditional Nigerian royalty by activity promoting Benin culture, and negotiating between feuding politicians.
Head of State for Guana under military rule (1979 and 1981-1993) and President of Ghana (1993-2001), in Accra, Gold Coast. The 1992 presidential election was so corrupt that monitoring systems were put in place, and these proved effective in his 1996 re-election, which was considered legitimate.
