South African President Nelson Mandela takes the oath 10 May 1994 during his inauguration at the Union Building in Pretoria. Mandela was elected president at the first session of the country’s post-apartheid parliament, 09 May 1994 in Cape Town. South Africans had voted 27 April 1994 in the country’s first democratic and multiracial general elections.
WALTER DHLADHLA / AFP
10 May 1994: Nelson Mandela sworn in as SA’s first democratic president
10 May is an historic day in South Africa – Nelson Mandela took office on this day 25 years ago.
South African President Nelson Mandela takes the oath 10 May 1994 during his inauguration at the Union Building in Pretoria. Mandela was elected president at the first session of the country’s post-apartheid parliament, 09 May 1994 in Cape Town. South Africans had voted 27 April 1994 in the country’s first democratic and multiracial general elections.
WALTER DHLADHLA / AFP
It’s been 25 years since Nelson Mandela took office. He became South Africa’s first democratically elected president on 10 May 1994.
Moreover, Nelson Mandela took office after the ANC came out victorious in the 1994 elections, held on 27 April and he was dubbed as the ‘father of the nation.’
His inauguration speech was the final chapter in South Africa’s political transition, which began with the country’s last white president releasing Mandela from prison in 1990.
A new South African beginning
Furthermore, Mandela said in his inauguration speech that our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce humanity’s belief in justice. He added:
“We, the people of South Africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom, that we, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our soil.”
11 February 1990: The day Nelson Mandela was released from prison [photos]
A South Africa united under Nelson Mandela
He concluded his speech by saying that South Africans understand it was no easy road to freedom. In addition, none of us “acting alone can achieve success.”
“We must, therefore, act together as a united people. For national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all, let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.”
Forgiveness and reconciliation
Mandela spent the first 18 of his 27 years in jail at the Robben Island Prison. In June 1990 he retired from politics at the age of 80. His last major appearance on the global stage came in 2010 at the soccer World Cup final.
Reconciliation was also the dominant theme of his presidency. From donning the green Springbok jersey to taking tea with his former jailers, as well as visiting Betsie Verwoerd in Orania.
“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign.”
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![Nelson Mandela Arrives in Washington DC]()
Nelson Mandela arrive at Washington DC’s National Airport on 24 June 1994. Photo: ZUMA Wire/Mark Reinstein 
At his presidential inauguration with his deputy, Thabo Mbeki. Photo: INLSA RealTime Images
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Newly-elected President Nelson Mandela pledges the oath of allegiance. Mandela was inaugurated as the nation’s first black head of state 10 May in Pretoria. Photo: Philip Littleton 
A member of the huge crowd that came to witness President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration has the crowd reflected in his glasses as he watches the ceremony. Photo: Alexander Joe
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