Apartheid began in South Africa while it was still under colonial rule, and continued as a formal policy of the independent government starting in 1948. Residents were separated into “native”, “white”, “coloured” and “Asian” ethnic groups, with the whites set apart and given de jure control over the nation. The system was perpetuated, against strong international opposition (including a UN-imposed cultural boycott and a proposed banning from Olympic competitions), and resistance by the banned African National Congress, led by Nelson Mandela. Until the pressure became too great and South Africa agreed to multiethnic elections.

On this day, May 7, in 1994, after the first post-apartheid elections gave a landslide victory – 252 seats of 400 –  to the African National Congress led Nelson Mandela, once an outlaw in that country.

During the campaign, the ANC had promoted their vision non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. The ANC focused particularly on workers’ rights and the erasing rural poverty though education, housing and health programs. Another group competing with the ruling National Party, the Inkatha Freedom Party, grabbed 43 seats on its platform of free enterprise as well as the eradication of corruption, exploitation and intimidation.