Presidency
May 2nd, 1994 was a glorious day for South Africa, for the results of the election for president between Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Clark came. Mandela won with 62% of the votes against Clark, making him the first African president in history.
“From the moment the results were in and it was apparent that the ANC was to form the government, I saw my mission as one of preaching reconciliation, of binding the wounds of the country, of engendering trust and confidence.” |
"Mandela’s presidency helped to drive a process of national reconciliation in South Africa." |
"President Mandela ... acted more the role of a nation builder, of a ceremonial president, of trying to be a unifying factor." |
Reforms
"As president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights and political violations committed by both supporters and opponents of apartheid between 1960 and 1994. More importantly, he proposed numerous social and economic programs designated to improve the living standards of South Africa's black population. In 1996, Mandela administered over the enactment of a new South African constitution, which established a strong democratically central government based on majority rule and prohibited discrimination against minorities, including whites. "
-from History.com
-from History.com
“And so it proved. Mandela’s wisdom in reaching out to the old enemy, repressing any vengeful impulses he might have accumulated during his twenty-seven years in prison, is the principal reason why South Africa has consolidated its transition from tyranny to democracy, and done so not, in the time-honored style of revolutions, through repression, but by persuasion.”
-John Carlin, from "Nelson Mandela's Legacy"
Retirement and Nobel Peace Prize
Thabo Mbeki took Mandela place as President of the ANC in 1999, after only serving one term.
“He continued traveling the world, meeting leaders, attending conferences and collecting awards after stepping down as president. [...] After his official retirement, his public appearances were mostly connected with the work of the Mandela Foundation, a charitable fund that he founded." -BBC News "Mandela's Life and Times"