In 1994, Mandela became South Africa's first Afro-descendant president.

Published at: 26/04/2025 10:11 AM

31 years ago, Nelson Mandela's African National Council (ACN), also known as Mandiba, won the first multiracial elections in South Africa with 62.6% on April 26, 1994.

This made A Madela the first Afro-descendant president of that country, after winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

“Never. It will never ever happen again that this beautiful land will once again experience the oppression of one another”, were the words of Mandela when he took office on May 10, 1994.

Mandiba, who defeated the National Party (20%) and the Inkatha (10%) with the ACN, took over the leadership of South Africa at the age of 72, after being imprisoned on Long Island for almost three decades for his fight against Apartheid, a system of racial discrimination.

In his administration, he highlighted achievements in the development of housing, education and the economy with the aim of improving the quality of life of the majority of South Africans.

Mandela remained at the head of the country until 1999. On December 5, 2013, he died, after having been convalescing in recent months from pneumonia, a respiratory disease that he contracted in apartheid prisons, where he fought against racial discrimination in his country and came to be known as the most important Afro-descendant leader in South Africa.

Mazo News Team