2015 in South Africa

none 2015 2015 in South Africa saw a number of social and political protests and movements form. At President Jacob Zuma's 2015 State of the Nation Address, the president was interrupted by an opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, who demanded that he pay back the money used on his Nkandla homestead. South Africa also saw new xenophobic uprisings taking place, mainly targeted towards Africans from other countries. Foreigners were beaten, robbed and murdered during the attacks. The social protest Rhodes Must Fall started in 2015 at the University of Cape Town to protest for the removal of statues erected in South Africa during the colonial era depicting some of the well known colonists who settled in South Africa. In education, South Africa recorded a drop in its matric pass rate from 2013 to 2014. The protest #FeesMustFall was started towards the end of the year and achieved its primary goal of stopping an increase in university fees for 2016. South Africa also saw the discovery of Homo naledi in 2015. The South African national rugby union team came third in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and Trevor Noah started hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Incumbents President – Jacob Zuma Deputy President – Cyril Ramaphosa Chief Justice – Mogoeng Mogoeng Cabinet The Cabinet, together with the President and the Deputy President, forms part of the Executive.Second Cabinet of Jacob Zuma Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (South Africa) National Assembly 26th South African Parliament Provincial Premiers Eastern Cape Province: Phumulo Masualle Free State Province: Ace Magashule Gauteng Province: David Makhura KwaZulu-Natal Province: Senzo Mchunu Limpopo Province: Stanley Mathabatha Mpumalanga Province: David Mabuza North West Province: Supra Mahumapelo Northern Cape Province: Sylvia Lucas Western Cape Province: Helen Zille Events January 5 – Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announces that the 2014 matric pass rate has dropped to 75.8% after reaching a record high of 78.2% in 2013.http://ewn.co.za/2015/01/05/2014-matric-results-announced 2014 MATRIC PASS RATE DROPS TO 75.8% Nicolaides Gia 5 January 2015 Eyewitness News 21 January 2015 19 – The Constitutional Court rules that a bulk SMS sent out by the Opposition Democratic Alliance before the 2014 general election, alleging that President Jacob Zuma "stole" R246 million of taxpayers' money to fund controversial upgrades to his private Nkandla homestead, was fair comment.http://ewn.co.za/2015/01/19/ConCourt-sets-aside-DAs-Nkandla-SMS-debacle CONCOURT: DA'S 'NKANDLA SMS' WAS FAIR COMMENT Kubheka Thando 19 January 2015 Eyewitness News 21 January 2015 21 –The shooting of a 14-year-old boy by a foreign national in Soweto spurs widespread unrest and looting of foreign-owned shops in the area, leading to a resurgence of xenophobic violence in the country.http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/xenophobic-attacks-after-teen-s-killing-1.1807219#.VM_N9miUcqI Xenophobic attacks after teen's killing Molosankwe Botho 21 January 2015 iol News 2 February 2015 30 – Eugene de Kock, Commander of the South African Police counterinsurgency headquarters under the apartheid government, who was sentenced in 1996 to life imprisonment for crimes that included kidnapping and murder, is granted parole.https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/31/world/africa/eugene-de-kock-south-african-death-squad-leader-is-granted-parole.html?_r=0 South Africa Grants Parole to a Death-Squad Leader Bilefsky Dan 30 January 2015 The New York Times 4 February 2015 February 12 – President Jacob Zuma delivers his eighth State of the Nation Address amid several controversies, including the forced removal of Economic Freedom Fighters MPs by alleged Public Order Police,http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-02-14-sona2015-confirmed-public-order-police-were-involved-in-forcibly-removing-eff-mps/#.VOmCOvmUcqI SONA2015: Confirmed – Public Order Police were involved in forcibly removing EFF MPs Rademeyer Julian 14 February 2015 Daily Maverick 22 February 2015 the jamming of cellphone signals,http://www.thedailyvox.co.za/journalists-mps-protest-signal-jamming-at-sona-2015/ Journalists, MPs protest signal jamming at Sona 2015 12 February 2015 The Daily Vox 22 February 2015 and the arrest of Democratic Alliance members protesting outside the Houses of Parliament.http://ewn.co.za/2015/02/12/DA-members-arrested-cellphone-signal-cut-1 DA MEMBERS ARRESTED AHEAD OF SONA Davis Gaye 13 February 2015 The Daily Vox 22 February 2015 23 – Leaked documents derived from communications between South Africa's State Security Agency and various agencies are published by Al Jazeera and The Guardian.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/25/spies-lies-fantasies-leaked-cables-lift-lid-intelligence-agencies Spies, lies and fantasies: leaked cables lift lid on work of intelligence agencies Milne Seumas MacAskill Ewen 25 February 2015 The Guardian 3 March 2015 March 1 – Multiple fires break out on the Cape Peninsula, damaging large expanses of vegetation and several houses.http://ewn.co.za/2015/03/02/Cape-fires-cause-mass-devastation-to-hectares-of-vegetation CAPE FIRES CAUSE MASS DEVASTATION TO HECTARES OF VEGETATION Malgas Natalie September Chanel Isaacs Lauren 3 March 2015 Eyewitness News 2 March 2015 thumb|The statue of Cecil John Rhodes in front of the University of Cape Town being removed on 9 April 2015. 17 – A group of University of Cape Town students demand the removal of a statue in honour of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes on campus, claiming that the statue is offensive to black students.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/11478634/Students-pelt-colonialist-Cecil-Rhodes-statue-with-excrement.html Students pelt colonialist Cecil Rhodes' statue with excrement 17 March 2015 The Telegraph 28 March 2015 These protests spur calls for further "transformation" of South African universities, including a proposed name change for Rhodes University in Grahamstown.http://ewn.co.za/2015/03/19/Rhodes-Uni-name-change-based-on-majority-demand RHODES UNI NAME CHANGE WILL BE BASED ON MAJORITY DEMAND 19 March 2015 Eyewitness News 28 March 2015 24 – The country sees another resurgence of xenophobic violence after a statement by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini calling for foreigners residing in South Africa to "pack their belongings and go". Zwelithini later retracts his statements, saying that his comments were misunderstood, and calls for a halt to the violence.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/04/17/how-a-tribal-king-sparked-deadly-violence-in-south-africa/ How a tribal king sparked deadly violence in South Africa 17 April 2015 Eyewitness News 18 April 2015 April Stransham-Ford v Minister of Justice 30 – Robin Stransham-Ford, a terminally-ill cancer sufferer, is granted the right to die by the North Gauteng High Court in the first assisted suicide case in South Africa. Judge rules in favour of the right to die http://www.enca.com/south-africa/judge-rules-favour-right-die 21 May 2015 May 12 – Mmusi Maimane succeeds Helen Zille as the Leader of the Democratic Alliance. Wire staff Mmusi Maimane elected as DA's new leader http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/politics/2015/05/10/mmusi-maimane-elected-as-das-new-leader 21 May 2015 28 – South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan is elected mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Danny Jordaan elected unopposed as Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2015/05/28/Danny-Jordaan-elected-unopposed-as-Nelson-Mandela-Bay-Mayor 28 May 2015 29 May 2015 June 1 – Trinidadian football executive and former Deputy President of FIFA, Jack Warner, is accused of accepting a $10 million bribe given to FIFA by the South African Football Association to secure the right for the country to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.Bribery Inquiry Drawing Closer to FIFA's President, Sepp Blatter https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/sports/soccer/sepp-blatters-top-fifa-deputy-jerome-valcke-is-said-to-have-transferred-money-central-to-bribery-case.html?_r=0 4 June 2015 The New York Times 1 June 2015 15 – While attending an African Union meeting in South Africa, Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir is prohibited from leaving the country while a court decides whether he should be handed over to the International Criminal Court for war crimes.https://mg.co.za/article/2015-06-14-sa-court-to-rule-on-sudan-presidents-fate SA court to rule on Sudan president's fate 14 June 2015 14 June 2015 Mail & Guardian Mmanaledi Mataboge Bashir is, however, allowed to leave South Africa soon afterward.http://m.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/Laughter-as-court-told-al-Bashir-has-left-20150615 Laughter as court told Al-Bashir has left 15 June 2015 15 June 2015 News24 26 – The Commission of Inquiry's report regarding the killing of 41 mineworkers by South African Police at Marikana is released by President Jacob Zuma, exonerating several political figures formerly accused of playing a role in the massacre, including Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, but calling into question Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega's fitness to hold office.http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-06-26-marikana-report-key-findings-and-recommendations/#.VaprjvmqpHw Marikana report: Key findings and recommendations 26 June 2015 18 July 2015 Daily Maverick Greg Nicolson July 6 – It is reported that a fleet of 13 trains purchased by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) at a cost of R600-million could pose a "significant safety hazard" to South African commuters as they are allegedly too high for local rail lines.http://business.iafrica.com/news/998433.html Prasa denies new R600m trains unsafe 6 July 2015 18 July 2015 iafrica.com The ensuing controversy results in an inquiry into the academic qualifications of one of Prasa's senior engineers, as well as the dismissal of the company's chief executive, Lucky Montana.http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/transport/2015/07/18/prasa-derails-senior-engineer Prasa derails senior engineer 18 July 2015 18 July 2015 Business Day 17 – More than 100 people are injured after two trains collide near the Booysens Train Station in Johannesburg.Lindeque Mia Over 100 injured in jhb train collision http://ewn.co.za/2015/07/17/Train-crash 17 July 2015 18 July 2015 South Africa train crash: 300 injured near Johannesburg BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33576989 17 July 2015 18 July 2015 August 25 – Eight former police officers are convicted for the murder of Mozambican immigrant and taxi driver, Mido Macia, in the North Gauteng High Court.Hawker Dianne All 8 Daveyton officers convicted for the murder of Mido Macia https://www.enca.com/south-africa/all-8-daveyton-officers-convicted-murder-mido-macia 27 August 2015 eNCA 25 August 2015 September 10 – An extinct species of hominin dubbed Homo naledi, fossils of which were discovered in 2013 in the Rising Star cave system in Gauteng, is unveiled at Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind.Eyewitness News New species homo naledi unveiled in sa http://ewn.co.za/2015/09/10/New-species-Homo-naledi-revealed-as-historic-discovery-made-in-SA 10 September 2015 18 October 2015 19 – The South African national rugby team suffers a historic 32-34 loss to Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, in what has been called the "greatest upset in World Cup history". Boks lose 32-34 to Japan in historic defeat #RWC2015 https://www.enca.com/sport/soccer/boks-lose-32-34-japan-historic-defeat-rwc2015 19 September 2015 18 October 2015 The Springboks later go on to beat Argentina and achieve an overall third place in the World Cup. South Africa 24 Argentina 13, Springboks claim third place but Bryan Habana fails to break try record - live https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11963656/South-Africa-vs-Argentina-Rugby-World-Cup-2015-third-place-play-off-live.html 30 October 2015 29 November 2015 28 South African comedian Trevor Noah succeeds Jon Stewart as host of the American news satire television program, The Daily Show.https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32114257 Trevor Noah to replace Jon Stewart on The Daily Show BBC News 30 March 2015 11 April 2015 It is revealed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that the African National Congress front company, Chancellor House, was irregularly paid over $5 million in connection with contracts for the construction of the Medupi and Kusile power stations.http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/energy/2015/09/29/hitachi-fined-in-us-for-paying-anc-front Hitachi fined in US for paying ANC 'front' Business Day Live 29 September 2015 18 October 2015 29 – The 2015 crime statistics, presented in Parliament by police commissioner Riah Phiyega and minister Nathi Nhleko, indicate an increase in the rate of murder and violent crime in the country.Hawker Dianne Crime Stats 2015: Murder and robbery up https://www.enca.com/south-africa/crime-sats-2015-violent-crime-remains-problem-murder-46 29 September 2015 18 October 2015 October 14 National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega is suspended after an inquiry into her fitness to hold office. Riah Phiyega suspended https://www.enca.com/south-africa/riah-phiyega-suspended 14 October 2015 18 October 2015 A temporary bridge collapses over the M1 motorway in Johannesburg near Sandton, killing two people and injuring twenty. Johannesburg bridge collapse: Two dead in South Africa BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34532394 14 October 2015 18 October 2015 Student protests erupt at the University of Witwatersrand after it is announced that university fees would be raised by 10.5%. Similar protests later spread to universities across the country, including the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University.http://ewn.co.za/2015/10/17/No-punishment-planned-for-protesting-Wits-students 'NO PUNISHMENT PLANNED' FOR PROTESTING WITS STUDENTS Eye Witness News 17 October 2015 22 October 2015 Masego Rahlaga 21 – The #FeesMustFall protests gain momentum countrywide, culminating in a march of 5000 students to the South African Parliament. Riot police move to forcefully disperse the largely peaceful protests using stun grenades, tasers, coloured gas, riot shields and truncheons.http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/riot-police-vs-student-power-1.1933836#.VikYJ_mqpBc Riot police vs student power IOL News 22 October 2015 23 October 2015 Political Bureau Two days later, President Jacob Zuma announces that university fees will not increase in 2016; despite this, protests regarding the lack of transformation at tertiary institutions continue across the country. #FeesHaveFallen: A big day in Pretoria, with a Zero outcome Daily Maverick http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-10-23-feeshavefallen-a-big-day-in-pretoria-with-a-zero-outcome/#.ViqG8BCrT_Q www.dailymaverick.co.za 23 October 2015 2015-10-23 November 15–ongoing – Severe drought caused by the El Nino climatological phenomenon, hits five of South Africa's nine provinces, placing strain on the country's water supply and affecting around 2.7 million households. Drought grips South Africa http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/drought-grips-south-africa-20151115 15 November 2015 29 November 2015 December 3 – Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, who had already served approximately one-sixth of his prison term for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013,Valeska Abreu http://citizen.co.za/826314/pistorius-already-at-home-lawyer Pistorius already at home - lawyer The Citizen 2015-10-19 2015-12-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20151122123529/http://citizen.co.za/826314/pistorius-already-at-home-lawyer/ 2015-11-22 dead is found guilty of her murder after the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa overturned his prior culpable homicide conviction.https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/dec/03/oscar-pistorius-appeal-court-guilty-murder-reeva-steenkamp-live Oscar Pistorius conviction upgraded to murder – as it happened | World news The Guardian 2015-12-03 Deaths January thumb|150px|Johannes de Villiers Graaff thumb|150px|André Brink thumb|150px|Clive Rice 6 – Johannes de Villiers Graaff (86), neoclassical welfare economist Johannes de Villiers Graaff 7 – Archie Radebe (55), soccer player and coachJuluka passes on 12 – Gabriel Ramushwana (73), general and Head of State of the Republic of Venda.https://archive.today/20150115054127/http://www.jacarandafm.com/post/former-army-general-dies/ Former army general dies 15 – Walter Westbrook (93), artistWalter Westbrook August 3, 1921 – January 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150118225534/http://arttimes.co.za/walter-westbrook-august-3-1921-january-15-2015/ January 18, 2015 23 – Jackie Selebi (64), former National Police Commissioner convicted in August 2010 of corruption, racketeering and fraud.http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2015/01/23/jackie-selebi-dies Jackie Selebi dies 23 January 2015 Eyewitness News 1 February 2015 24 – Sir David Graaff, 3rd Baronet (74), businessman and winemakerSir David Graaff owner of De Grendel: RIP 29 – Cedric Kushner (66), South African-born American boxing promoterCedric Kushner dies at 66 February 1 – Patrick Ngcobo (43) carnatic singer.South African Carnatic music expert dies 6 – André Brink (79), novelist, playwright and member of the Die Sestigers, a movement that utilised Afrikaans literature as a means to speak out against apartheid.https://mg.co.za/article/2015-02-07-andre-p-brink-dies Literary giant André Brink dies 7 February 2015 Mail & Guardian 7 February 2015 March 7 March – Samuel Dickenson Nxumalo (90), the third and last Chief Minister of Gazankulu 8 March – Colonel H.W. "Bees" Marais (71), experienced helicopter pilot, dies during a forced landing while water-bombing fires at Olifantsbos near Cape Point.Brande eis ervare vlieënier - Die Burger, Maandag 9 Maart 2015. 9 – Tjol Lategan (89) rugby union player.Ex-Springbok Tjol Lategan dies – Nkululeko Habedi (38) rapper http://remembered.co.za/obituary/view/29869 Nkululeko "Flabba" Habedi 2015-12-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20150418024055/http://remembered.co.za/obituary/view/29869 2015-04-18 dead 15 – Collins Chabane (54), Minister of Public Service and Administration from 26 May 2014 until his death.http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Collins-Chabane-dies-in-car-crash-20150315 Collins Chabane dies in car crash News24 15 March 2015 9 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191009122600/https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Collins-Chabane-dies-in-car-crash-20150315 dead 19 – Steve Mokone (82) footballer (Heracles Almelo).Steve Mokone 19 – Ken Owen (80), journalist and editor.Ken Owen SA's Last Great White Editor 21 – Sharon Tandy (71) singer.Sharon Tandy April 5 – Louis Miles Muggleton (92) South African-born British physicist.http://www.twrafrica.org/index.php/see/news/478-a-tribute-to-dr-louis-muggleton A Tribute to Dr Louis Muggleton 2015-12-04 2015-12-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071229/http://www.twrafrica.org/index.php/see/news/478-a-tribute-to-dr-louis-muggleton dead 7 – Richard Henyekane (31) soccer playerStars' Henyekane dies in car crash 21 – John Moshoeu (49) soccer player (Kaizer Chiefs, Giant Blackpool, national team), African Cup of Nations champion (1996).'Shoes' loses battle with cancer May 12 – Ruth Mompati (89), politician and leader of the Women’s March on 9 August 1956http://citizen.co.za/382752/ruth-mompatis-death-a-loss-to-sa-rustenburg-mayor/ Ruth Mompati's Death a Loss to SA - Rustenberg Mayor The Citizen 21 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150522074033/http://citizen.co.za/382752/ruth-mompatis-death-a-loss-to-sa-rustenburg-mayor/ 22 May 2015 dead dmy-all June 7 – Sean Pappas (48), golfer and coach 20 – Esther Brand (92), athlete and gold medalist at the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland.Olimpiese atleet Esther Brand (92) ‘blaas stil laaste asem uit’ af July 5 – David Masondo (67) singer and drummerSoul Brothers lead singer David Masondo dies eNCA https://www.enca.com/south-africa/soul-brothers-lead-singer-dies eNCA South Africa July 5, 2015 July 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150708014905/http://www.enca.com/south-africa/soul-brothers-lead-singer-dies dead 28 – Clive Rice (66), international cricketerhttp://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/903871.html Clive Rice dies aged 66 28 July 2015 ESPN Cricinfo September 1 – Thembile Skweyiya (76), South African Constitutional Court judge from 2003 to 2014.http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/judges/justicethembileskweyiya/index1.html Justice Thembile Skweyiya 2008-11-09 Constitutional Court of South Africa https://web.archive.org/web/20081015171620/http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/judges/justicethembileskweyiya/index1.html 2008-10-15 live October 25 – Cecil Lolo (27), professional footballer10 November 2015 Time: 12:05 pm http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/60366/roger-de-sa-defends-ajax-cape-town-over-cecil-lolo-funeral https://web.archive.org/web/20151208121821/http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/60366/roger-de-sa-defends-ajax-cape-town-over-cecil-lolo-funeral dead 2015-12-08 Roger de Sa defends Ajax Cape Town over Cecil Lolo funeral - News Kick Off 2015-11-10 2015-12-24 November 3 – Lauretta Ngcobo (84), novelist and essayistLauretta Ngcobo author, teacher and activist 11 – Nancy Charton (95), first female ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Southern AfricaDeath announced of South Africa's first woman priest 17 – John Gainsford (77), rugby union playerhttps://deadfamous.info/john-gainsford-south-african-rugby-union-player-died-at-77 John Gainsford, South African rugby union player, Died at 77 Obituary 18 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151119093752/https://deadfamous.info/john-gainsford-south-african-rugby-union-player-died-at-77 2015-11-19 dead See also 2015 in South African television References 30em 2015 in collapsed Category:Years of the 21st century in South Africa South Africa South Africa Category:2010s in South Africa