Democratic Elections

Summary

On April 27-28, 1994, South African held its first-ever free and democratic elections. Millions of black South Africans waited patiently in line to cast their votes for the first time. The road to the election was not easy, particularly because of right-wing extremists and Inkatha’s agreement to participate only at the last minute. The African National Congress won a resounding victory, carrying all provinces except the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal, but it did not gain the two-thirds majority required to be able to change the constitution unilaterally.

Web Images

"Ten Commandments for Voters" From: Posters from the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies of Northwestern University
[Go to source directly and leave this site] external link

Political Art: "Women: We fought for the vote, now we must claim our rights!" From: Posters from the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies of Northwestern University
[Go to source directly and leave this site] external link

Web Documents

Report: "1994 - Mandela Becomes President"
[more info]
[Go to source directly and leave this site] external link

AODL African Studies Center MSU NEH Matrix