Timeline

The National Party comes into power and introduces apartheid laws.

Both the Freedom Charter and the Women's Charter are drafted in the duration of this period.

Blacksash is formed. This was an organisation of white women who protested against changes in the constitution that removed the right of Coloured people to vote. They later became active in providing support to people who were arrested for pass laws and other injustices.

The infamous women's march takes place. More than 20 000 women of all races from across the country marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to hand over a petition against Pass Laws.

The ANCWL is banned.

The MK leadership is arrested at an underground operation base, Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia near Johannesburg.

Ruth First serves 117 days in solitary confinement becoming the first white woman to be detained under the 90-day Detention Law.

The Rivonia Trial begins.

8 of the defendants in the Rivonia trial who were arrested at Liliesleaf Farm are found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. They were Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Dennis Goldberg, Ahmed Kathrada, Elias Motsoaledi, Andrew Mlangeni and Walter Sisulu. This also marked the end of the Rivonia Trial.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela spends 18 months in solitary confinement at Pretoria Central Prison under the 90-day Detention Law.

Ruth First takes up a research post at Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique where she was assassinated four years later.

ANC President, O. R. Tambo speaks about challenges facing the women of South Africa in Luanda, Angola.

The notorious 1983 constitution is introduced. It calls for a Tricameral parliament in which there would be three houses representing Whites, Indians and Coloureds with Blacks excluded.

FEDTRAW Conference of 1984 Begins and ends on the 9th.

The first ANCWL newsletter titled 'The Rock' is published.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is elected President of the ANCWL at its relaunch since its banning in 1960.

Dr. Frene Ginwala becomes the speaker of the first democratic parliament, serves two terms under president Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, leaving the position in 2004.