The Federal University 1918 - 1948

<p>With little fanfare, amid sombre news from the First World War, the recently proclaimed University of South Africa (Unisa) begins operations from rented headquarters in Pretoria.</p>

Unisa begins operations

With little fanfare, amid sombre news from the First World War, the recently proclaimed University of South Africa (Unisa) begins operations from rented headquarters in Pretoria.

1918

<p>The <em>Broederbond</em> (’brotherhood’), a Freemason-like society for Afrikaner nationalists, is founded under the name <em>Jong Zuid Afrika</em> (‘young South Africa’). In later decades, the <em>Broederbond</em> will wield much influence over Unisa.</p>

Broederbond founded

The Broederbond (’brotherhood’), a Freemason-like society for Afrikaner nationalists, is founded under the name Jong Zuid Afrika (‘young South Africa’). In later decades, the Broederbond will wield much influence over Unisa.

1918

<p>After the First World War, peace is finally ratified, and the League of Nations (a precursor to the United Nations) is established to counteract future wars across the globe.</p>

Peace and the League of Nations

After the First World War, peace is finally ratified, and the League of Nations (a precursor to the United Nations) is established to counteract future wars across the globe.

1920

<p>Three colleges become constituents of Unisa: Huguenot University College in Wellington, Potchefstroom University College, and Johannesburg’s School of Mines and Technology (later the University of the Witwatersrand).</p>

New constituent colleges for Unisa

Three colleges become constituents of Unisa: Huguenot University College in Wellington, Potchefstroom University College, and Johannesburg’s School of Mines and Technology (later the University of the Witwatersrand).

1920-21

<p>White miners on the Witwatersrand, opposing industry efforts to place “cheaper” black miners in supervisory jobs, launch an armed rebellion that is suppressed with full military force.</p>

The Rand Rebellion

White miners on the Witwatersrand, opposing industry efforts to place “cheaper” black miners in supervisory jobs, launch an armed rebellion that is suppressed with full military force.

1922

<p>Z.K. Matthews becomes the first black person to graduate, with a BA, from the University College of Fort Hare (whose students are registered to, and examined by, Unisa).</p>

First Fort Hare degree

Z.K. Matthews becomes the first black person to graduate, with a BA, from the University College of Fort Hare (whose students are registered to, and examined by, Unisa).

1923

<p>After Jan Smuts’s brutal handling of the Rand Rebellion, his United Party is ousted by Barry Hertzog’s National Party. Hertzog’s administration begins to entrench state welfare for working-class whites.</p>

A welfare state for whites

After Jan Smuts’s brutal handling of the Rand Rebellion, his United Party is ousted by Barry Hertzog’s National Party. Hertzog’s administration begins to entrench state welfare for working-class whites.

1924

<p>To the enthralment of students enrolled in Unisa’s recently implemented astronomy courses, American astronomer Edwin Hubble publishes proof that entire galaxies exist beyond our own.</p>

Proof of other galaxies

To the enthralment of students enrolled in Unisa’s recently implemented astronomy courses, American astronomer Edwin Hubble publishes proof that entire galaxies exist beyond our own.

1925

<p>Gertrude Ntlabati becomes the first woman to obtain a BA from the University College of Fort Hare (whose students are registered to, and examined by, Unisa).</p>

First BA for a black woman

Gertrude Ntlabati becomes the first woman to obtain a BA from the University College of Fort Hare (whose students are registered to, and examined by, Unisa).

1927

<p>A crash in the New York stock market signals a global economic downturn that persists far into the 1930s. In many countries, including South Africa, working-class families are plunged into poverty.</p>

The Great Depression

A crash in the New York stock market signals a global economic downturn that persists far into the 1930s. In many countries, including South Africa, working-class families are plunged into poverty.

1929

<p>Barry Hertzog’s government extends the vote to white women in South Africa, so bolstering the dominance of the white minority.</p>

Suffrage for white women

Barry Hertzog’s government extends the vote to white women in South Africa, so bolstering the dominance of the white minority.

1930

<p>Transvaal University College becomes independent from Unisa and is renamed the ‘University of Pretoria’. Over the next two decades, Unisa’s other constituent colleges will follow suit.</p>

Pretoria separates

Transvaal University College becomes independent from Unisa and is renamed the ‘University of Pretoria’. Over the next two decades, Unisa’s other constituent colleges will follow suit.

1930

<p>The Great Depression sees state subsidies slide, and in 1933, Unisa receives only R500 from the government. Examination fees play an important role in keeping the University afloat.</p>

Depression hits state subsidies

The Great Depression sees state subsidies slide, and in 1933, Unisa receives only R500 from the government. Examination fees play an important role in keeping the University afloat.

1933

<p>Fascist-dominated Italy invades Ethiopia, one of the last African states to remain uncolonised. The League of Nations, of which both Italy and Ethiopia are members, fails to prevent the invasion, highlighting its own weakness.</p>

Ethiopia invaded

Fascist-dominated Italy invades Ethiopia, one of the last African states to remain uncolonised. The League of Nations, of which both Italy and Ethiopia are members, fails to prevent the invasion, highlighting its own weakness.

1935

<p>The Reverend John Langalibalele Dube, a founder of the ANC, becomes the first black person to receive an honorary degree from Unisa.</p>

ANC founder receives honorary degree

The Reverend John Langalibalele Dube, a founder of the ANC, becomes the first black person to receive an honorary degree from Unisa.

1936

<p>British mathematician Alan Turing publishes the principles that will come to underlie digital computers, and indeed the digital revolution of the later 20th century.</p>

Dawn of the computer era

British mathematician Alan Turing publishes the principles that will come to underlie digital computers, and indeed the digital revolution of the later 20th century.

1936

<p>The University College of Fort Hare, whose students are registered as external students of Unisa, gains the right to draft its own syllabi.</p>

Own syllabi for Fort Hare

The University College of Fort Hare, whose students are registered as external students of Unisa, gains the right to draft its own syllabi.

1937

<p>A centenary re-enactment of the Great Trek of 1838, wending its way from Cape Town to Pretoria, arouses mass enthusiasm among Afrikaners and marks the growing power of Afrikaner nationalism.</p>

Trekking for Afrikaner nationalism

A centenary re-enactment of the Great Trek of 1838, wending its way from Cape Town to Pretoria, arouses mass enthusiasm among Afrikaners and marks the growing power of Afrikaner nationalism.

1938

<p>Germany, under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party, draws nations across the world into a six-year conflagration that costs up to 80 million lives. Prime Minister Herzog favours neutrality in the War, but is deposed by supporters of the pro-British statesman and general, Jan Smuts. Smuts declares South Africa officially at war with Germany.</p>

World War II

Germany, under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party, draws nations across the world into a six-year conflagration that costs up to 80 million lives. Prime Minister Herzog favours neutrality in the War, but is deposed by supporters of the pro-British statesman and general, Jan Smuts. Smuts declares South Africa officially at war with Germany.

1939-45

<p>The African Mineworkers’ Union is founded. The Union’s frustration with unliveable wages climaxes in 1946, with some 70,000 workers embarking on an industry-shaking, violently suppressed strike.</p>

Black mineworkers unionise

The African Mineworkers’ Union is founded. The Union’s frustration with unliveable wages climaxes in 1946, with some 70,000 workers embarking on an industry-shaking, violently suppressed strike.

1941-46

<p>Anton Lembede, founding President of the ANC Youth League, receives his master’s degree in philosophy from Unisa. Lembede’s philosophical grounding contributes to his development of an African nationalist ideology.</p>

MPhil for ANC Youth League founder

Anton Lembede, founding President of the ANC Youth League, receives his master’s degree in philosophy from Unisa. Lembede’s philosophical grounding contributes to his development of an African nationalist ideology.

1945

<p>Driven by the horrors of the Second World War and a desire to prevent another such conflict, fifty nations sign the United Nations Charter. On 24 October, the United Nations is officially formed in New York.</p>

United Nations born

Driven by the horrors of the Second World War and a desire to prevent another such conflict, fifty nations sign the United Nations Charter. On 24 October, the United Nations is officially formed in New York.

1945

<p>Unisa’s Division of External Studies is established, and on 1 March 1947, the University’s first postal tuition package is ceremoniously sealed for mailing to one A.P.J. Heiberg in Boksburg.</p>

First correspondence programme

Unisa’s Division of External Studies is established, and on 1 March 1947, the University’s first postal tuition package is ceremoniously sealed for mailing to one A.P.J. Heiberg in Boksburg.

1946-47

<p>India gains independence from the British Empire, inspiring nationalist movements across the globe and foreshadowing the wave of decolonisation which will sweep the African continent in the 1960s.</p>

India becomes independent

India gains independence from the British Empire, inspiring nationalist movements across the globe and foreshadowing the wave of decolonisation which will sweep the African continent in the 1960s.

1947

<p>Unisa hosts its first Pretoria-based graduation ceremony.</p>

First Pretoria graduation

Unisa hosts its first Pretoria-based graduation ceremony.

1919