Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black president of South Africa

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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first black president of South Africa. On April 27th, 1994, South Africa’s first free election was held and won by Nelson Mandela and his African National Congress (ANC) Party. Also, they formed a coalition as “national unity” with de Klerk’s National Party and the Zulus’ Inkatha Freedom Party. On May 10th, 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as the first black president of South Africa in a ceremony attended by numerous international dignitaries at the Union Buildings, Pretoria. 

Mandela spent 27 years of his life as a political prisoner of the South African government. He said in his inaugural address that “the time for the healing of the wounds has come.” More than 22 million South Africans turned out to cast ballots in South Africa’s first-ever multiracial parliamentary election. It was the first multiracial election with full enfranchisement in South Africa. The majority of South Africans selected Mandela and his African National Congress (ANC) Party to lead the country. The African National Congress obtained a 63% share of the vote at the election.

Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations under apartheid. Also, he introduced many projects to improve the living standards of South Africa’s Black population. In the year 1996, Mandela presided over the enactment of a new South African constitution. In June 1999, he retired from politics as a remarkable leader in the world.