What Happened at the First Post-Apartheid Elections?

The end of Apartheid
The election took place between 26-28 April across the country. The landmark event and an official symbol of the end to the Apartheid rule.

The long walk to freedom
On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving 27 years behind bars. Four years later, all South Africans were able to vote.

Working together for jobs, peace, and freedom
Tokyo Sexwalo, Nelson Mandela, and Walter Sisulu campaigned for ANC.

Campaigning across the country
An ANC - African National Congress publicity stand.

South Africa's first free and fair election
Judge Johan Kriegler was the head of the Independent Electoral Commission who conducted the election. He visited President Mangope then premier of the Bophutatswana who was threatening to leave the election process. This was one of the last times he sat in parliament as he was massively outvoted.

Mandela votes
Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in his life at Ohlanga School in Durban. Former President Jacob Zuma stands in queue behind.

Former president FW de Klerk votes
President FW de Klerk and his wife and Marietjie also voted in South Africa's first free and fair election.

The result
The outcome was decisive, the once-banned African National Congress (ANC), under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, won 62.65% of the votes. FW de Klerk's national party took 20.39%.

'The Mandela shuffle' of victory
'The Mandela shuffle' at a party to celebrate the ANC victory.

The turn-out was incredible!
All around the country millions of people queued for hours to cast their vote.

Voting in Johannesburg
Voters queuing in Johannesburg centre.

Queuing in Johannesburg
Voters queued for up to four hours to cast their vote.

Voting in Pretoria
Voters queue at dawn at a polling station north of Pretoria.

Voting in Shoshonguwe
Voters queue at Shoshunguwe Township polling station north of Pretoria. 

Voting in Kwazulu Natal
Voters queue to cast their votes for the first democratic elections.

Polling station in Johannesburg
Voting at the polling station in the first non-racial elections.

Polling station at Shoshonguwe
Voting at the polling station at Shoshungove township, north of Pretoria.

Counting the votes in Tembisa Township
Election officials check the ballot boxes after South Africa's first democrat elections.

Celebrating Freedom Day
To celebrate the landmark event, the 27 April is now known as ‘Freedom Day’ and a public holiday in South Africa.