Today in History: Mandela inauguration
It's been 22 years since the inauguration of the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Today marks exactly 22 years since the inauguration of the first democratically elected president of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
Madiba as he was known, was inaugurated on May 10 1994 following the first ever democratic elections which were held on April 27. The sworn in ceremony was held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Upon becoming president, Madiba appointed Thabo Mbheki and F.W. de Klerk. To be his deputies. Delivering his speech after being sworn in, Madiba thanked the people of this country and the world for the role they played in making democracy a reality for South Africa.
He preached reconciliation and unity while emphasising that the time for healing had come.
“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.”
“We succeeded to take our last steps to freedom in conditions of relative peace. We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just and lasting peace,” Madiba said.
Madiba’s inauguration was turning point in the history of this country as it marked the birth of a new South Africa. A South Africa where everyone is equal regardless of their gender, ethnicity or skin colour.
The day brought hope for many that this country will never again experience any form of oppression like Madiba said, “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.”
