'The People Shall Govern': Remembering Nelson Mandela's Inauguration
'The People Shall Govern': Remembering Nelson Mandela's Inauguration
Sputnik Africa
Today is the 29th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration, which took place on May 10, 1994. At the time, Nelson Mandela became the first... 10.05.2023, Sputnik Africa
Nelson Mandela's presidency began on May 10, 1994, when the anti-apartheid activist, lawyer, political prisoner for 27 years, and leader of the Umkhonto We Sizwe (the armed wing of the African National Congress or ANC, created in 1961 for the armed struggle against the apartheid regime), was solemnly inaugurated President of South Africa. Mandela's political agenda was based upon the Freedom Charter – a program document adopted by the ANC and its allies in 1952. At the heart of the charter was the principle of equality of South Africans regardless of their descent and a demand for democracy and representation – "The People Shall Govern!"The 75-year-old Nelson Mandela became the leader of the country after he won the first non-racial general elections, held on April 27, 1994. White minority rule officially ended the day when the first black president of South Africa was sworn in.
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former president, nelson mandela, 29th anniversary, anniversary day, presidential inauguration, southern africa, south africa, african continent, on 10 may, 10 may, at the time, first non-white president, first black president, head of state, south african history, umkhonto we sizwe, african national congress
'The People Shall Govern': Remembering Nelson Mandela's Inauguration
Today is the 29th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration, which took place on May 10, 1994. At the time, Nelson Mandela became the first non-white head of state in South African history.
Nelson Mandela's presidency began on May 10, 1994, when the anti-apartheid activist, lawyer, political prisoner for 27 years, and leader of the Umkhonto We Sizwe (the armed wing of the African National Congress or ANC, created in 1961 for the armed struggle against the apartheid regime), was solemnly inaugurated President of South Africa.
Mandela's political agenda was based upon the Freedom Charter – a program document adopted by the ANC and its allies in 1952. At the heart of the charter was the principle of equality of South Africans regardless of their descent and a demand for democracy and representation – "The People Shall Govern!"
The 75-year-old Nelson Mandela became the leader of the country after he won the first non-racial general elections, held on April 27, 1994. White minority rule officially ended the day when the first black president of South Africa was sworn in.
A Praise singer, dressed in native costume and wielding a ceremonial cane, sings praises as Nelson Mandela stands behind him at the starts of the Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Pretoria, May 10, 1994.
President Nelson Mandela dances at a celebration concert following his inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, May 10, 1994, along with former President F.W. de Klerk. "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," Mandela vowed.
![President Nelson Mandela dances at a celebration concert following his inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, May 10, 1994, along with former President F.W. de Klerk. "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," Mandela vowed. - Sputnik Africa](https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/05/0a/1059153089_0:0:3000:2016_600x0_80_0_1_a0a055fe8df3452024be5288ee30af38.jpg "President Nelson Mandela dances at a celebration concert following his inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, May 10, 1994, along with former President F.W. de Klerk. "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," Mandela vowed.")
