Nelson Mandela - The Presidency

Moments in South African History

Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically-elected president at the ripe age of 75 in May 1994. Mandela led South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy in an unprecedented one-term in office until early 1999. He won international respect for advocating and practicing reconciliation. But he was criticized for not doing enough about empowerment, redress and HIV/Aids. Sya van der Walt highlights some of the hallmarks of Mandela's presidency.

Credits: Sya van der Walt, Angie Kapelianis, Danny Booysen and the SABC Media Libraries.

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