1940 in South Africa

Events

January

• 27 – A peace resolution introduced in the Parliament of South Africa is defeated 81–59.
• 29 – The Herenigde Nasionale Party is established.

June

• 11 – The Union of South Africa declares war on Italy.

December

• 3 – The Royal Navy battle cruiser HMS Renown and aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal arrive at Cape Town.

Births

Flag of South Africa

• 31 January – Kitch Christie, Springbok rugby coach. (d. 1998)
• 9 February 9 – J. M. Coetzee, writer amd 2003 Nobel Prize laureate.
• 22 February – Johnson Mlambo, Pan Africanist Congress politician.
• 8 March – Fred Brownell, heraldrist, designer of the Flag of South Africa.^[1][2]
• 6 June – Tiger Lance, cricketer. (d. 2010)
• 9 October – Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, politician. (d. 2009)
• 21 October – Manfred Mann, South African-British rock musician.

Deaths

• 1 June – Jan F. E. Celliers, poet, writer and dramatist. (b. 1865)

Railways

Railway lines opened

• 12 January – Transvaal: Crown to Langlaagte, 3 miles 18 chains (5.2 kilometres).^[3]
• 2 December – Transvaal: Germiston to Jupiter, 2 miles 68 chains (4.6 kilometres).^[3]

References