See also: 1996 in South Africa, other events of 1997, 1997 in South African sport 1998 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

March

• 19 March - Denel and Aérospatiale sign a co-operation agreement
• 28 March - Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa and H. D. Deve Gowda, Prime Minister of India sign the Red Fort Declaration on a Strategic Partnership while Mandela was on a state visit to India

April

• 23 April - Eugène Terre'Blanche, the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader, is convicted of attempted murder and assault in the Magistrates Court in Potchefstroom
• 26 April - Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is overwhelmingly re-elected as president of the African National Congress’s Women’s League by 656 votes to 114

August

• Dirk Coetzee, David Tshikalange and Butana Almond Nofomela, former members of the Vlakplaas counter-insurgency unit are granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in respect of the murder of Durban attorney, Griffiths Mxenge, in November 1981

October

• South Africa and India signs the terms of reference of the India-South Africa Commercial Alliance and agreements in tourism and geology & mineral resources. The science and technology co-operation programme is ratified.

December

• 16 - 20 December - The African National Congress hold their 50th National Conference in Mafikeng

Sport

Athletics

• February 23 – Thabiso Moqhali from Lesotho wins th South African title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:15:31 in Pinelands.

Births

Deaths