1488 – Bartolomeu Dias Reaches Present-day Mossel Bay

On 3 February 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias landed at what is now Mossel Bay, becoming the first recorded European to reach South Africa's southern coastline after successfully rounding the southern tip of Africa.

Ironically, Dias had not realised he had already sailed around the continent's southernmost point. Strong winds had blown his ships far out into the Atlantic, causing him to miss the coastline entirely. Only when he turned east and then north again did land finally come into view.

At Mossel Bay, then known as the Bay of St Blaize, Dias and his crew replenished their fresh water supplies and traded livestock with local Khoikhoi communities. Sadly, a misunderstanding between the two groups ended in tragedy when one of the Portuguese fired a crossbow, killing a Khoikhoi man.

Dias' voyage proved that a sea route connected Europe and the Indian Ocean, paving the way for Vasco da Gama's voyage to India a decade later and permanently changing world trade. Today, Mossel Bay's famous Post Office Tree, where sailors once left letters in the hollow of an ancient milkwood tree for passing ships, remains one of South Africa's most unusual historic landmarks.

Did You Know?

Bartolomeu Dias never named the Cape of Good Hope. He called it the "Cape of Storms". King John II of Portugal later renamed it the "Cape of Good Hope" because it offered the promise of a sea route to India.

1900 – A Daring Escape to the Boer Lines

111 days since the beginning of the Siege of Kimberley

Winifred Heberden recorded an unusual incident involving twelve convicts working near Kenilworth. As Boer guns fired towards the area, the prisoners seized the opportunity to escape. Their guards immediately opened fire, hitting one of the escapees. Rather than abandoning him, his companions lifted the wounded man and carried him towards Dronfield Ridge, where Boer forces were positioned. The incident illustrates how the confusion of bombardment sometimes created unexpected opportunities for escape, while also highlighting the complex loyalties and difficult choices faced by many people caught up in the siege.

Did You Know?

Dronfield Ridge formed part of the Boer siege lines surrounding Kimberley and overlooked important approaches to the town from the west.

1992 – Mandela and De Klerk Receive UNESCO Peace Prize

On 3 February 1992, President F.W. de Klerk and African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela jointly received UNESCO's inaugural Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize in Paris.

The award recognised their leadership in steering South Africa away from conflict and towards a negotiated democratic settlement. Although political violence continued in parts of the country, the international community regarded the willingness of former opponents to negotiate as an example of peaceful conflict resolution. Named after the first President of Côte d'Ivoire, the prize was awarded by an international jury chaired by former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Less than three years later, South Africans of every race would vote together in the country's first democratic elections.

Did You Know?

Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize the following year, in 1993, for their efforts to peacefully end apartheid.