On May 15, 1991, Nelson Mandela was elected President of the African National Congress (ANC), officially taking over leadership of South Africa’s liberation movement from Oliver Tambo. This election came after Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 and during negotiations to end apartheid. His election marked a critical turning point in South Africa’s transition from white minority rule to democracy. Mandela’s leadership was seen as unifying, with the capacity to broker peace while holding firm to justice. May 15 stands as a foundational moment in post-apartheid history, as the world watched Mandela rise from political prisoner to national leader—symbolizing hope, reconciliation, and the global resonance of Black freedom movements.
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