"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world." |
Nelson Mandela - President of South Africa
Mandela and De Klerk dismantled apartheid in South Africa,
bringing freedom to all South Africans, regardless of their race. The
presidential election was held on April 27, 1994; all South Africans had the
right to vote. The ANC won 62.65% of the vote, giving them control of
Parliament. They elected Mandela as President with De Klerk as Deputy
President. During his presidency, Mandela led the transition from apartheid and
minority rule to black majority rule. Mandela also attempted to prevent the
collapse of South Africa's economy. He created the Reconstruction and
Development Plan, authorizing the South African government to fund the creation
of jobs, housing, and basic health care. In 1996, President Mandela signed the
new constitution for South Africa, establishing a strong, central government
based on majority rule and guaranteeing the rights of minorities.
"We, the people of South Africa, |