1994 – Nelson Mandela Prepares for Inauguration as South Africa’s First Black

On May 4, 1994, after South Africa’s historic democratic elections, it was officially confirmed that Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) had won, setting the stage for Mandela’s inauguration as South Africa’s first Black president on May 10. This moment was the culmination of decades of struggle against apartheid and a beacon for global human rights. Mandela’s leadership in promoting reconciliation over revenge inspired movements for racial and social justice around the world. May 4 symbolized hope, renewal, and the possibility of peaceful transformation.