Anatomically modern humans that first migrated out of East Africa in approximately BC 70,000 are now half-way along their trek that will see them populate Asia and, in about BC 50,000, Australia. Some movement east and south occurs daily, and is assisted by climate change during Ice Ages, when ocean levels fall and islands are connected as land masses.
The Republic of Rif, created in Morocco in 1921, defeated in its independence struggle against France and Spain, is officially dissolved by French and Spanish forces of occupation. It took a combined force of a half-million soldiers, with tank and air support, to overcome the rebel army of Abd el-Krim.
France responds to the Malagasy Uprising and nationalist militants seeking independence for Madagascar with a reign of terror. French forces numbering 18,000 and drawn from other French African colonies commence a programme of torture, war rape, mass executions, the burning of villages, collective punishment of families and villagers, and “death flights” where prisoners are thrown out of airplanes while alive. Resistance to France ends by mid-1948, when rebellion leaders are killed or captured and up to 100,000 Malagasy have been killed, versus 550 French nationals.
Electricity comes to Nsawam in southeast Gold Coast (Ghana). Like here at Nsawam, Municipal power plants have been built at individual locations since the 1920s. Only when hydroelectric dams are built in the 1950s will a nationwide power grid exist.
The East African Coronation Rally is held, named after the Coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at a time when much of East Africa was under British colonial rule. On 1 June the race ends with a Volkswagen Beetle as the winning car. The most difficult World Motor Rally competition, because of rough roads and challenging weather as cars race through Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda, the race will change its name to East African Safari Rally in 1960, and to Safari Rally in 1974.
Colonial authorities in British Kenya counter the Mau Mau Rebellion against colonial rule with a “shoot to kill” order against any African seen at Aberdale National Park. Rebels respond by burning down the Treetops Hotel. Although the guest lodge built atop a 300 year-old fig tree has attracted the rich and famous since Queen Elizabeth II’s stay two years ago, lately it has been used as a lookout post for British soldiers of the King’s African Rifles.
South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela arrives for his first stay at the harsh Robben Island prison in Cape Town harbour, six months into a five-year prison sentence he was given for the offense of leaving the country without a passport.
The Prime Minister of Mauritania, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Ould Bouceif, is among 12 people who die when a Mauritania Air Force plane crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Dakar, Senegal.
Seychelles now has a Hindu temple for use by the approximately 2% of Seychellois who practice Hinduism. The Navasakti Vinayagar Temple is consecrated in the capital Victoria by the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, and is dedicated to Ganesh the elephant god. The elaborate, colourful exterior displays hundreds of Hindu gods, and is an instant a “must see” tourist attraction.
Now a democratic country, South Africa announces it will join the regional bloc the Southern Africa Development Community. Today, Pretoria also establishes diplomatic relations with Angola.
Ghanaian poet, in Cape Coast, Gold Coast (Ghana). One of the first graduates, in 1951, of the University of the Gold Coast, he gained attention as a poet when his work was published in important African literary journals and anthologies. His poetry was at the forefront of a movement to replace Eurocentric views of Africa with an Afrocentric reality.
Ghanaian Hip-Hop/Afro-Pop performer, in Kumasi, Ghana. His first viral hits in 2011 established his reputation as one of Ghana’s top rappers. His biggest single to date, Lavender, was released in 2015.
Nigerian comedian, script writer and video producer, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. His Mark Angel Comedy channel is followed by eight million YouTube subscribers and 20 million Facebook followers. He discovered and made a social media star of Nigerian child comedian Emmanuela.
