1994 - Mandela Elected President

On April 27 the ANC won the first non-racial democratic election and the former prisoner and fugitive, Nelson Mandela, became President of South Africa. Mandela was sworn in as President of the new South Africa on May 10 before a vast jubilant crowd that included the secretary-general of the U.N., 45 heads of state, and delegations from many other countries. Thabo Mbeki, a top official in the ANC, and de Klerk both became deputy presidents.