1997 in South Africa

Incumbents

• President: Nelson Mandela.
• Deputy President: Thabo Mbeki.
• Chief Justice: vacant.

  Events

• 4 - The Constitution of South Africa comes into effect.

• 19 - Denel and Aérospatiale sign a co-operation agreement.
• 28 - President Nelson Mandela and Prime Minister of India H. D. Deve Gowda sign the Red Fort Declaration on a Strategic Partnership during Mandela's state visit to India.

• 7 - South African soap opera Muvhango debuts on SABC 2.
• 23 - Eugène Terre'Blanche, Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader, is convicted of attempted murder and assault in the Magistrates Court in Potchefstroom.
• 26 - Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is re-elected as president of the African National Congress's Women's League by 656 votes to 114.

• 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.

• 10 - A combined version of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem van Suid-Afrika becomes the National Anthem.
• 30 - The South African National Defence Force announces that it had completed destroying its stock pile of anti-personnel mines.
• South Africa and India sign the terms of reference of the India-South Africa Commercial Alliance and agreements in tourism, geology and mineral resources. The science and technology co-operation program is ratified.

• 16–20 - The African National Congress holds its 50th National Conference in Mafikeng.

• Cabinet and parliamentary approval is announced by Thabo Mbeki of the Defence Review which enables the South African National Defence Force to undertake tenders for R12bn worth of arms equipment.

  Births

• 11 February - Nasty C, rapper, songwriter and record producer
• 3 October - Jo-Ane van Dyk, javelin thrower
• 25 June - Curwin Bosch, rugby player
• 23 July; Bianca Tredoux, world leader in Occupational Therapy Practices
• 5 September; Lesego Kone, Public Figure.

  Deaths

• 25 November - Hastings Banda, the first president of Malawi, dies in Johannesburg

  Sports

Athletics

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