Nelson+Mandela+elected+President+of+South+Africa

 =**//Nelson Mandela// elected President of South Africa ** =

= =  **1994 ** 

Overview
“We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free. Their dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. We are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government." This was an excerpt from the inauguration speech of South African President Nelson Mandela on May 10, 1994. But the inauguration of this man was not easy, especially in a country such as South Africa. People had been living under the apartheid system, which separated life for black and white people, since 1948. For Mandela, abolishing apartheid, establishing universal suffrage, and holding free democratic elections were all things that he considered a human right. These expectations awarded Mandela with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the year before he was inaugurated as president.

Central Issue
But not only did Mandela win the first ever fully democratic election in South Africa, he had just been released from prison four years before. He had been serving a life sentence for stirring up an armed revolution against white dominated rule in 1964. Mandela was released from prison, and made his comeback by winning the 1994 election by a whopping 62% of the national vote. The voter turnout was estimated at 86% of the 23 million eligible voters. What a big day in history it was for these people. Not only did they have a new president, but a new flag- a new representative of their country. The flag had six colors- horizontal bands of black, gold, green, white, blue, and red- and it was unfurled for the first time the UN Headquarters on April 27, 1994. 

Conclusion
Nelson Mandela made a significant impact on the country of South Africa- it is now considered the wealthiest country in Africa. In 1999, Mandela stepped down after one term as president. Although, he keeps doing good deeds for his country. Three foundations bear his name: The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and The Mandele-Rhodes Foundation. His is currently an AIDS campaigner, and lives with his wife Graca Machel in South Africa. 

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