The end of apartheid in South Africa can be attributed to a combination of internal and external pressures, diplomatic efforts, and the resilience of anti-apartheid activists. A crucial turning point was the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990 after 27 years of incarceration. Mandela's release symbolized a shift towards reconciliation and negotiations.
The dismantling of apartheid was formalized through negotiations between the apartheid government and the African National Congress (ANC), facilitated by international pressure and the waning support for apartheid globally. The negotiations led to the end of discriminatory laws and the establishment of a multi-racial democratic system.
The critical moment came with the first democratic elections in 1994, in which all South Africans, regardless of race, were allowed to vote. Nelson Mandela became the nation's first black president, marking the official end of apartheid. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, played a vital role in addressing past atrocities and promoting national healing.
International sanctions and the global anti-apartheid movement significantly contributed to the dismantling of apartheid. The end of apartheid in South Africa represents a triumph over institutionalized racial discrimination and stands as a testament to the power of diplomacy, activism, and the pursuit of justice on a global scale.
Read also: Key events in the history of the Hundred Years' War.
