TODAY IN HISTORY

1913: The Natives Land Act is passed, allocating only about 7% of arable land to Africans and leaving the more fertile land for whites. 1932: Writer, linguist, translator and political leader Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, pictured, dies of pneumonia while on a trip to Johannesburg. He was the first secretary-general of the South African Native National Congress which in 1923 became the ANC. 1959: Police open fire to disperse a riot in Cato Manor, Durban. Authorities later evict residents under the Group Areas Act. 1976: Three days after the Soweto uprising the government bans 123 people for their involvement.