1961 in South Africa

See also: 1960 in South Africa, other events of 1961, 1962 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

March

• 12 March – The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions submits a memorandum to the United Nations General Assembly calling for economic sanctions against South Africa
• 15 March – South Africa withdraws from the Commonwealth

May

• 30 May – Charles Robberts Swart resigns as Governor-General of South Africa
• 31 May – South Africa becomes a republic
  • Charles Robberts Swart becomes the first State President of South Africa

December

• 16 December – The African National Congress launches its armed struggle with the formation of the Umkhonto we Sizwe

Unknown date

• Mimi Coertse is awarded the Medal of Honour of Die Suidafrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns

Births

Deaths