THE ULTIMATE
On this day, May 10th 1994, Nelson Mandela became Presdent of South Africa, following the first democratic elections, ending the 'apartheid' era.
Apartheid had been the systematic segregation of South African society on the basis of colour, whereby the Black majority population were denied their rights. Nelson Mandela became key to struggle against apartheid, at times pursuing nnon-violence, at others sabotage. He was imprisoned for 27 years, most famously on Robben Island. he was released by President F.W. de Klerk in 1990, and Mandela leading the African National Congress (ANC) party, steadily entered negotiations with the ruling National Party over the ending of Apartheid and a trsnsition to majority rule. For this work Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with F.W. de Klerk in 1993. Upon becoming President, Mandela, formed a government of National Unity, including members of de Klerk's National Party, and Inkatha party. He also strove for a peaceful future for South Africa, establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where all sides could explain the hurt they had suffered, and all sides could be be reconciled and come to understand each other, and their past experiences. Mandela redefined South Africa as a 'Rainbow Nation' where all peoples had a voice, rights and a share in power.
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