2021 in South Africa explained

See also: 2021 in Southern Africa.

Events in the year 2021 in South Africa.

Incumbents

• President: Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC)
• Deputy President: David Mabuza (ANC)
• Chief Justice: Mogoeng Mogoeng
• Deputy Chief Justice: Raymond Zondo
• President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Mandisa Maya
• Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal: Xola Petse
• Chairperson of the Electoral Court of South Africa: Boissie Henry Mbha^[1]
• Speaker of the National Assembly: Thandi Modise (ANC)
• Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly: Lechesa Tsenoli (ANC)
• Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly: John Steenhuisen (DA)
• Leader of Government Business: David Mabuza (ANC)
• Government Chief Whip (of the National Assembly): Pemmy Majodina (ANC)
• Opposition Chief Whip (of the National Assembly): Natasha Mazzone (DA)
• Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: Amos Masondo (ANC)
• Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: Sylvia Lucas (ANC)
• Leader of the Opposition of the National Council of Provinces: Cathlene Labuschagne (DA)
• Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces: Seiso Mohai (ANC)

The Cabinet, together with the President and the Deputy President, forms the Executive.

See main article: article and Second Cabinet of Cyril Ramaphosa.

See main article: article and Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (South Africa).

See main article: article and 27th South African Parliament.

See also: Premier (South Africa).

• Eastern Cape Province: Oscar Mabuyane (ANC)
• Free State Province: Sisi Ntombela (ANC)
• Gauteng Province: David Makhura (ANC)
• KwaZulu-Natal Province: Sihle Zikalala (ANC)
• Limpopo Province: Stanley Mathabatha (ANC)
• Mpumalanga Province: Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane (ANC)
• North West Province: Job Mokgoro (ANC)
• Northern Cape Province: Zamani Saul (ANC)
• Western Cape Province: Alan Winde (DA)

Monthly events

See also: COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

January and February

• 7 January – COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announces that South Africa will receive one million doses of Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine in January and 500,000 in February. 1.25 million health workers will be prioritized. SA has confirmed 1.1 million infections and 31,368 deaths.^[2]
• 25 January – A five-year-old boy in Mpumalanga^[3] dies and thousands are homeless as Cyclone Eloise causes extensive flooding in southern Africa. Limpopo is particularly hard hit.^{[4] [5]}
• 1 February
  • Environment Minister Barbara Creecy reports that rhinoceros poaching in South Africa is down for the sixth year in a row, to 394 animals killed in 2020 for their horns. She attributed the decline to both the COVID-19 pandemic and to work by rangers and security personnel and noted that it is still a major problem.^[6]
  • Former president Jacob Zuma defies the Constitutional Court and refuses to testify to the Zondo Commission.^[7]
• 23 February – Port Elizabeth is officially renamed Gqeberha. Other major name changes include Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (formerly Port Elizabeth Airport).^{[8] [9]}

March and April

• 1 March – The government announces plans to establish a special Land Court.^[10]
• 8 March – Immigrant street vendors from Senegal and Burkina Faso are hospitalised after xenophobic attacks in Durban.^[11]
• 10 March – A middle-aged man is killed after police shoot him in the head with a rubber bullet during a demonstration against the high cost of the University of the Witwatersrand.^[12]
• 24 March – The South African Human Rights Commission investigates a case of discrimination involving a Ndebele activist's Thando Mahlangu, 35, use of traditional clothing in a Clicks pharmacy in suburban Johannesburg.^[13]
• 24 March – Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu is named regent following the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini.^[14]
• 25 March – Ethiopians demonstrate in Pretoria to bring attention to human rights violations in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.^[15]
• 29 March – President Ramaphosa calls upon members of the African National Congress (ANC) who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes to step aside within 30 days or face suspension.^[16]
• 18 April - 2021 Table Mountain fire

May and June

• May – The trial of former president Jacob Zuma on corruption charges is set to begin.^[17] It was postponed.
• 9 June – Gosiame Thamara Sithole reportedly gives birth to ten babies—five boys and five girls—in a possible world record.^[18] On 15 June 2021 the supposed father of the 10 children admitted via a family statement that the story is false and that Gosiame Thamara Sithole never gave birth to decuplets.^[19]
• 29 June – The Constitutional Court of South Africa hands down judgment in State Capture Inquiry v Zuma, finding former president Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court and sentencing him to 15 months' imprisonment.^[20]

July and August

• 1 July - Violence starts to rapidly increase in the 2021 Cape Town taxi conflict over the B97 taxi route between Bellville and Paarl.
• 2 July – President Cyril Ramaphosa appoints Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga as the country's acting president for the day upon his leave to attend the State Funeral of the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, while Deputy President David Mabuza is on sick leave.^[21]
• 9 July - 2021 South African unrest begins.

October

• 5 October- The 2021 South African metalworkers strike begins
• 21 October- The 2021 South African metalworkers strike ends, with workers represented by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa winning a 5-6% annual pay increase
• 22 October - Following a high-profile trial ex-police officer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu is convicted of murdering five relatives and her boyfriend over several years. In most cases the victims were killed by hitmen hired by her, although Ndlovu murdered her sister herself in 2013. The victims were killed for life-insurance payouts, and Ndlovu is also convicted of insurance fraud.^[22]

Scheduled events

Elections

• 1 November - 2021 South African municipal elections

Holidays

See main article: Public holidays in South Africa. South Africa has 12 public holidays; if a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated the following Monday.^[23]

• 22 March – Human Rights Day
• 27 April – Freedom Day (National day)
• 16 June – Youth Day
• 9 August – National Women's Day
• 24 September – Heritage Day

Sports

• 25 February – Caster Semenya, 30, announces she will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) so that she can compete as a female in track meets. Her birth certificate identifies her as female and she has always identified as female, but she has high levels of testosterone that keep her out of international competition.^[24]
• 15 to 18 April – 2021 Men's Indoor African Cup
• 19 to 25 April 2021 – 2021 IIHF World Championship Division III
• 24 August to 5 September – South Africa at the 2020 Summer Paralympics

Deaths

January

• 3 January – Dorah Sitole, 65, food writer (40 Years of Iconic Food); COVID-19.^[25]
• 5 January – Mluleki George, 72, politician, founder of the United Congress; COVID-19.^[26]
• 6 January – King Victor Thulare III, 40, royal, king of the Pedi people (since 2020); COVID-19.^[27]
• 9 January – Johnson Mlambo, 80, political activist; complications from COVID-19.^[28]
• 11 January
  • Mmule Maluleka, politician.^[29]
  • Lindiwe Ndlovu, 44, actress (Winnie Mandela, Little One).^[30]
• 13 January – Hannes Viljoen, 77, rugby union player (Natal, national team).^[31]
• 14 January – Mzwandile Nzimande, 44; COVID-19.^[32]
• 15 January – Dr. Welcome Bhodloza Nzimande, 73, radio broadcaster (1978-1997); COVID-19.^{[33] [34]}
• 16 January
  • Bheki Ntuli, 63, politician, member of the National Assembly (1999–2003); COVID-19.^[35]
  • Sam Phillips, 72, actor (, Red Dust, The Forgotten Kingdom).^[36]
• 17 January – Abel Gabuza, 65, Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop Coadjutor of Durban (since 2018) and Bishop of Kimberley (2010–2018); COVID-19.^[37]
• 18 January – Nombulelo Hermans, politician, member of the National Assembly (since 2019); COVID-19.^[38]
• 21 January – Jackson Mthembu, 62, politician (Minister in the Presidency); COVID-19.^{[39] [40]}
• 22 January – Marius van Heerden, 46, Olympic middle-distance runner (1996); COVID-19.^[41]
• 23 January – Jonas Mosa Gwangwa, 83, jazz musician.^[42]
• 24 January – Joseph Sonnabend, 88, physician and HIV/AIDS researcher (How to Have Sex in an Epidemic); complications from a heart attack.^[43]
• 28 January
  • Sibongile Khumalo, 63, singer.^[44]
  • Lewis Wolpert, 91, South African-born British developmental biologist, COVID-19.^[45]

February

• 22 February – Seif Bamporiki, Rwandan opposition politician (Rwanda National Congress, RNC) exiled in Cape Town; shot^[46]

March

• 4 March – Karima Brown, 54, journalist; COVID-19^[47]
• 9 March – Cliff Simon, 58, South African-born American actor (Stargate SG-1); kiteboarding accident.^[48]
• 12 March – Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, 72, Zulu king; problems related to diabetes^[49]
• 12 March – Noxolo Maqashalala, 44, actress; COVID-19^{[50] [51] [52]}
• 13 March – Menzi Ngubane, 56, actor; stroke ^[53]
• 26 March – Elizabeth Thabethe, 61, politician, MP (since 1994); complications from a traffic collision.^[54]
• 28 March – Christof Heyns, 62, human rights lawyer.^[55]
• 29 March – Adrian Nel, 40, commercial diver and construction worker; murdered^[56] (death reported on this date)
• 30 March – Patrick O. O'Meara, 83, South African-born American educator and author.^[57]

April

• 4 April – Frank Mdlalose, 89, South African political activist, 1st former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal; COVID-19.^[58]
• 10 April – Sindisiwe van Zyl, 45, physician and HIV activist; complications from COVID-19.^[59]
• 29 April – Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu, 68, Queen regent of the Zulus.^[60]

May

• 23 May – Emmanuel Mjokes Matsane, South African musician, 54; car accident.^[61]
• 31 May – MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa, South African actor, 72; COVID-19.^{[62] [63]}

June

• 7 June – Shaleen Surtie-Richards, 66, actress (Fiela se kind,, Supersterre)^{[64] [65]}
• 13 June – Khaya Xaba, South African politician, illness.^[66]
• 17 June – Jabu Mabuza, 63, South African businessman, COVID-19 related illness.^[67]
• 22 June – Luzuko Nteleko, 36, South African actor.^[68]

July

• 1 July –
  • Steve Kekana, 62, South African singer.^[69]
  • Mutodi Neshehe, 46, South African actor (b. 1975).^[70]
• 9 July -
  • Mayor Geoff Makhubo, Former Mayor of the city of Johannesburg, COVID-19.^[71]
• 12 July –
  • Dr. Ben Ngubane, former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, COVID-19.^[72]
  • Nokuzola Mlengana, 59, South African actress.^[73]
• 15 July –
  • Ebrahim Desai, 58, South African Mufti.^[74]
• 27 July – Sindi Buthelezi, South African actress, 32.^{[75] [76]}
• 30 July – Shona Ferguson, 47, South African actor & film-maker, COVID-19.^[77]

August

• 3 August – Allan Stephenson, 71, British-born South African composer, cellist, and conductor.^[78]
• 9 August – Killer Kau, 23, South African musician, car accident.^[79]
• 9 August – Mpura, 26, South African musician, car accident
• 31 August – Kebby Maphatsoe, 58, South African politician

September

• 6 September – Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, 59, South African politician, COVID-19.^[80]
• 16 September – Hlengiwe Mkhize, 59, South African politician
• 18 September – Jolidee Matongo, 45–46, South African politician, car accident.^[81]

November

• 11 November – Frederik Willem de Klerk, 85, former State President of South Africa (lung cancer).
• 17 November – Theuns Jordaan, 50, South African singer-songwriter (leukemia).

December

• 2 December – Sir Antony Sher, 72, South African-born British actor (The History Man, Murphy's Law), cancer.^[82]
• 6 December
  • Lindiwe Mabuza, 83, South African politician, diplomat, poet, academic, journalist, and cultural activist
  • Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, 84, South African anti-apartheid activist
• 8 December – Naledi Welliers, Former House wife of Johannesburg
• 22 December – Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, 95, 1st Chief Minister of Ciskei in 1972–1973
• 23 December – Lilian Diedericks, 96, South African anti-apartheid activist
• 26 December - Desmond Tutu, 90, South African Anglican Bishop, anti-apartheid activist

See also

Country overviews

• History of South Africa
• History of modern South Africa
• Outline of South Africa
• Government of South Africa
• Politics of South Africa
• National Council of Provinces (NCOP)
• National Assembly of South Africa
• Timeline of South Africa history

Related timelines for current period

• 2020s
• 2020s in political history
• COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
• COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
• COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa
• 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021. Heads of Superior Courts. live. 2021-03-04. www.judiciary.org.za. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306072458/http://www.judiciary.org.za:80/index.php/judiciary/superior-courts/heads-of-superior-courts . 2018-03-06 .
2. News: South Africa to receive first COVID vaccines in January . January 9, 2021 . aljazeera.com . Al Jazeera English . January 7, 2021 . en.
3. News: Allen . John . South Africa's Zuma Goes Rogue, Defies Top Court . February 2, 2021 . allAfrica.com . all Africa . 31 January 2021 . en.
4. News: Limpopo province flooded following Cyclone Eloise . January 25, 2021 . . . January 25, 2021.
5. News: Pillay . Kirthana . Rumney . Emma . Thirteen dead, thousands homeless in southern Africa after storm Eloise . January 26, 2021 . Reuters . January 26, 2021.
6. News: Rhino poaching in South Africa falls during Covid-19 lockdown . February 2, 2021 . . February 1, 2021 .
7. News: Allen . John . South Africa: Former President Zuma Defies Constitutional Court Ruling to Testify on State Capture . February 2, 2021 . . 1 February 2021 . en.
8. News: BREAKING It is official, Port Elizabeth has a new name—Gqeberha . February 25, 2021 . DispatchLIVE . February 25, 2021 . en-ZA.
9. News: Princewill . Nimi . South Africans get their tongues round Gqeberha, the new name for Port Elizabeth . February 25, 2021 . CNN . February 25, 2021.
10. News: South Africa plans special court to help unblock land redistribution . March 1, 2021 . . March 1, 2021.
11. News: Majola . Nokulunga . South Africa: "It Is a Sin That South Africans Can Do This to Their Fellow Africans" Says Witness to Durban Violence . March 9, 2021 . allAfrica.com . Ground Up . 9 March 2021 . en.
12. News: One killed as police clash with students protesting over fees at S.Africa's Wits university . March 10, 2021 . . March 10, 2021.
13. News: Princewill . Nimi . "I'm always chased away and victimized," says shopper told his traditional clothing is 'indecent' in South Africa mall . March 26, 2021 . CNN . March 26, 2021.
14. News: Late Zulu king's third wife appointed regent . March 26, 2021 . . March 24, 2021.
15. News: Magome . Mogomotsi . Protest in South Africa over conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray . March 25, 2021 . . March 25, 2021.
16. News: All members of South Africa's ANC charged with corruption must step aside or face suspension - Ramaphosa . March 30, 2021 . . March 30, 2021.
17. News: South African ex-president's corruption trial set for May . February 23, 2021 . . 23 February 2021 . Magome . Mogomotsi.
18. News: South African woman gives birth to 10 babies in Pretoria - reports . 9 June 2021 . . June 10, 2021 .
19. Web site: There are no babies, admits father of 'Tembisa 10'. www.news24.com/.
20. Web site: ConCourt vs Zuma. 29 June 2021.
21. Web site: President appoints DBE Minister as Acting President. 2 July 2021.
22. Web site: South African ex-policewoman killed relatives and boyfriend for insurance cash . BBC News . 10 September 2023 . 22 October 2021.
23. Web site: Public holidays in South Africa South African Government . gov.za . January 26, 2021.
24. News: Imray . Gerald . Semenya taking case to European Court of Human Rights . February 25, 2021 . Associated Press News . February 25, 2021 . en.
25. News: South Africa's trailblazing Black food writer dies of virus . January 24, 2021 . . 19 January 2021.
26. Web site: Covid-19 claims 'sport unifier' Mluleki George. Jenni. Evans. News24.
27. Web site: King Victor Thulare III described as a youthful, visionary leader. January 17, 2021. SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader..
28. Web site: PAC stalwart Johnson Mlambo passes away from COVID-19 complications. January 10, 2021. SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader..
29. Web site: Former MEC Maluleka dies. 11 January 2021. 7 July 2022.
30. Web site: Safta award-winning actor Lindiwe Ndlovu dies. ewn.co.za.
31. Web site: SA Rugby pays tribute to former Springbok wing Hannes Viljoen. www.sarugbymag.co.za. 13 January 2021.
32. Web site: Death of Loxion Kulca co-founder grips the hearts of many South Africans. www.iol.co.za.
33. Web site: Veteran Ukhozi FM broadcaster Welcome Nzimande dies. TimesLIVE.
34. Web site: Tributes pour in for veteran Ukhozi FM broadcaster Welcome 'Bhodloza' Nzimande.
35. Web site: KZN MEC Bheki Ntuli dies after 'short illness'. TimesLIVE.
36. Web site: Actor Sam Phillips dies. Veronica. Mokhoali.
37. Web site: South Africa's Archbishop Gabuza is dead. - Vatican News. January 17, 2021. www.vaticannews.va.
38. Web site: Northern Cape ANC mourns death of MP Nombulelo Hermans. Sandi Kwon. Hoo. January 19, 2021.
39. News: South African cabinet minister dies of COVID-19 amid surge . January 21, 2021 . . 21 January 2021 . Magome . Mogomotsi.
40. Web site: Minister Jackson Mthembu dies of Covid-related complications. TimesLIVE.
41. Web site: Former SA 800m record holder dies of Covid-19. Sport.
42. Web site: Jazz trombone legend Jonas Gwangwa dies aged 83. TimesLIVE.
43. Web site: Pioneering South African AIDS researcher Joseph Sonnabend dies at 88. January 25, 2021.
44. Web site: Singing legend Sibongile Khumalo has died at the age of 63. Veronica. Mokhoali. ewn.co.za.
45. Web site: Humanists UK mourns Professor Lewis Wolpert CBE FRS (1929-2021).
46. News: Exiled Rwandan opposition figure shot dead in South Africa . March 4, 2021 . . 22 February 2021 . Magome . Mogomotsi.
47. News: Tributes as leading South African reporter dies of COVID-19 . March 4, 2021 . . 4 March 2021 . Magome . Mogomotsi.
48. https://www.gateworld.net/news/2021/03/stargate-actor-cliff-simon-passed-away-age-58/ Stargate Actor Cliff Simon Has Passed Away At Age 58
49. News: South Africa's Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini dies, aged 72 . March 12, 2021 . . 12 March 2021 . Magome . Mogotmotsi.
50. News: 13 March 2021 . Double blow for SA after actress Noxolo Maqashalala dies . 15 March 2021 . The Citizen.
51. News: Majangaza . Sino . 13 March 2021 . BREAKING Eastern Cape actress Noxolo Maqashalala dies . 7 June 2021 . Daily Dispatch.
52. Web site: ACTRESS NOXOLO MAQASHALALA HAS PASSED ON . 2021-06-02 . DailySun.
53. Web site: Family heartbroken at actor Menzi Ngubane's death.
54. https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/former-deputy-minister-elizabeth-thabethe-dies-from-injuries-sustained-in-crash-5b4a97c8-1503-43bf-a14a-33962d7778e7 Former deputy minister Elizabeth Thabethe dies from injuries sustained in crash
55. https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/feted-human-rights-lawyer-prof-christof-heyns-dies-at-62-20210329 Feted human rights lawyer Prof Christof Heyns dies at 62
56. News: South African Adrian Nel killed in Mozambique jihadist attack . March 29, 2021 . . March 29, 2021 .
57. https://www.idsnews.com/article/2021/03/iu-vice-president-emeritus-patrick-omeara-dies-at-83 IU vice president emeritus Patrick O'Meara dies at 83
58. Web site: KZN's first premier Frank Mdlalose passes on from COVID-19. 4 April 2021. 4 April 2021.
59. https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/kwazulu-natal/renowned-aids-activist-dies-from-covid-19-955f3adb-694e-465e-962e-b6563d39f343 Renowned Aids activist dies from Covid-19
60. Web site: 2021-04-30. South Africa's Zulu regent Queen Dlamini Zulu dies at 65. 2021-04-30. Reuters.
61. Web site: Trompies member Emmanuel 'Mjokes' Matsane dies eNCA. eNCA. 23 May 2021.
62. Web site:
    1. RIP: Legendary MacDonald Mthunjwa has died
    . News365. 1 June 2021.
63. Web site: MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa died of Covid-19 related complications. June 1, 2021. Chrizelda . Kekana. TimesLive.
64. Web site: Shaleen Surtie-Richards has died . Naidoo . Deepika . Karishma . Thakurdin . 7 June 2021 . Sowetan Live . en.
65. Web site: Actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards dies . 7 June 2021 . . en . Johannesburb.
66. Web site: NEHAWU NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON KHAYA XABA PASSES AWAY. 11 June 2021. Masechaba Sefularo. Edwin Ntshidi . EWN.
67. News: Former Eskom board chairman Jabu Mabuza dies. South Africa . 16 June 2021. eNCA.
68. Web site: Mzansi mourns the death of 'Muvhango' actor Luzuko Nteleko. Kedibone . Modise. Independent Online .
69. Web site: Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died. 1 July 2021. Emmanuel . Tjiya. Sowetan Live. 1 July 2021.
70. Web site: Actor Mutodi Neshehe has died . Times Live. Kyle . Zeeman. July 1, 2021.
71. Web site: UNAIDS saddened by the death of Geoff Makhubo, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg.
72. News: Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Dr Ben Ngubane dies of Covid-19 complications News24. News24. South Africa. July 12, 2021. Nicole. McCain.
73. Web site: Actress Nokuzola 'Sis Ouma' Mlengana is dead Fakaza News . Fakaza News. Bukola. July 12, 2021.
74. News: جنوبی افریقہ کے مشہور مفتی ابراھیم ڈیسائی صاحب کا 15 جولائی کو انتقال ہواـ پچھلے کئی روز سے ان کی طبیعت خراب چل رہی تھی. . South African Mufti Ebrahim Desai passes away . 16 July 2021 . Baseerat Online . 16 July 2021 . ur.
75. Web site: Former 'Generations' actress Sindi Buthelezi has died.
76. Web site: RIP: 'Generations' actress Sindi Buthelezi has passed away. Rae . Seleme. July 28, 2021. The South African.
77. Web site: Shona Ferguson confirmed deceased on Instagram profile. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CR9Io3yqMKG . 2021-12-24 . limited. instagram @ferguson_films. 30 July 2021.
78. Web site: Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died . The Strad. 3 August 2021.
79. Web site: Amapiano artists Mpura and Killer Kau have died. Times LIVE. 9 August 2021.
80. https://iharare.com/gugu-gumede-is-mourning-uzalos-mamlambo-left-heartbroken/ Gugu Gumede is mourning. Uzalo's MaMlambo left heartbroken.
81. Web site: Joburg mayor killed in car crash . enca.com . 18 September 2021.
82. News: Wiegand. Chris. Antony Sher, celebrated actor on stage and screen, dies aged 72 . The Guardian. 3 December 2021.