April 26–29, 1994 CE / Sub-Saharan Africa
South Africa Holds Its First Non-Racial National Election
A long struggle against apartheid and negotiations led to an election open to all, after which Mandela became president and South Africa entered a new democratic phase.
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The story
From April 26 to 29, 1994, South Africa held its first democratic national election in which adult citizens of all races could participate together, and Mandela subsequently became president. This transition grew out of prolonged domestic struggle, international pressure, and difficult negotiations, and occurred amid severe political violence. The election ended the political system of apartheid, but deep disparities in land, wealth, education, and employment would not automatically disappear with a single vote.
Elsewhere in the world
The global anti-apartheid movement connected civil society groups and governments in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia, demonstrating the influence of international action.
Dates and precision
April 26–29, 1994 CE Ongoing process
The dates describe a process over time; the interactive timeline uses its starting point.
Representative map location
Representative coordinates · -25.747°, 28.188°
Coordinates locate a representative point for the story. They do not mean the event happened only here and do not represent historical borders.
Bibliography
- Government of South Africa | Milestones of 20 Years of Freedom
- Department of Justice of South Africa | Elections in the Republic of South Africa: Voting on April 26–29, 1994
Sources are listed as bibliography titles, without external links. A reference does not mean every sentence or interpretation has been independently verified.