Today in history
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It is exactly 29 years today in South African history since South Africa swore in first ever democratically elected President in the Republic of South Africa.
Just four years of freedom after spending 18 years of 27 years in Robben Island Prison, Nelson Mandela was voted in April 1994 as the President.
He was released from Robben Island on February 11th, 1990 by the then President F.W De Klerk having been arrested in 1962.
Mandela served as the President of African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997 after serving as the Deputy President from 1985.
Quoting from the extracts of his inauguration speech at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, he called for unity and forgiveness for the better future of the country.
“We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the million of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity – a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.”
“As a token of its commitment to the renewal of our country, the new Interim Government of National Unity will, as a matter of urgency, address the issue of amnesty for various categories of our people who are currently serving terms of imprisonment.”
“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.”
“The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!”
“God bless Africa!”
He later on retired from politics six years later giving over the reigns to Thabo Mbeki.
