1928 in South Africa

Events

May

• 31 – South Africa adopts a new national flag based upon the Van Riebeeck flag or Prinsevlag (originally the Dutch flag), to replace the Red Ensign.

Unknown date

• Escom's first thermal power station, Salt River No. 1, begins operation.
• The Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa is formed with the aim of promoting the Methods of Enrico Cecchetti and introducing the Principles of the Cecchetti method to young ballet dancers in Southern Africa.

Births

• 27 August – Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, is born in Mahlabathini.

Deaths

• 5 June – James Hulett, politician and sugar magnate, dies in Berea, Durban at the age of 90.

Railways

Railway lines opened

• 31 January – Cape – Winter's Rush to Koopmansfontein, 27 miles 41 chains (44.3 kilometres).^[1]
• 24 February – Transvaal – Klerksdorp to Ottosdal, 47 miles 49 chains (76.6 kilometres).^[1]
• 14 April – Transvaal – Potchefstroom to Fochville, 31 miles 29 chains (50.5 kilometres).^[1]
• 1 May – Cape – George to Knysna, 42 miles 7 chains (67.7 kilometres).^[1]
• 11 June – Transvaal – Brits to Beestekraal, 26 miles 41 chains (42.7 kilometres).^[1]
• 2 July – Transvaal – Singlewood to Zebediela, 31 miles 25 chains (50.4 kilometres).^[1]
• 9 July – South West Africa – Ondekaremba to Seeis, 42 miles 2 chains (67.6 kilometres).^[1]
• 18 July – Free State – Bothaville to Wesselsbron, 42 miles 71 chains (69.0 kilometres).^[1]

Locomotives

Three new Cape gauge steam locomotive types enter service on the South African Railways (SAR):

• The first six Class 16DA 4-6-2 Pacific type passenger locomotives.^{[2]:57, 67[3]:10–11, 67}
• Four Class 19 4-8-2 Mountain type branchline steam locomotives.^[4]
• Two Class GH 4-6-2+2-6-4 Double Pacific type passenger locomotive versions of the Class U Union Garratt articulated steam locomotive.^{[2]:56–57[3]:93}

References