1988 Event Rocky Malebane-Metsing coup in Bophuthatswana fails 1987 Event Lucas Mangopes Democratic Party wins Bophuthatswana elections 1984 Event Lucas Mangope re-elected president of Bophuthatswana 1977 Event South Africa grants Bophuthatswana independence 1972 Event Tswanaland becomes Bophuthatswana in South Africa 1923 Birthday Lucas M Mangope, 1st president of Bophuthatswana, 1977-94
