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May
02

Today in African History

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The End of Aperthied

In 1994, South Africa was preparing to hold its first democratic elections, which would mark the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era for the country. Nelson Mandela, who had spent 27 years in prison for his a...

Historical Events

9
  • Nkuwu Nzinga
    🕌 1491 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Monarch Nkuwu Nzinga of Kongo baptized as João I
  • 🤝 1851 Friendship treaty signed between France and King of Dahomey, establishing diplomatic relations. 🇧🇯 Benin
  • Leopold II
    🏰 1885 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
    The Congo Free State is established by King Leopold of Belgium.
  • Menelik II
    🤝 1889 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
    Menelik II, Emperor of Ethiopia, signs the Treaty of Wuchale, giving Italy control over Eritrea.
  • 🎭 1920 The first game of the Negro National League is played in Indianapolis. United States
  • Haile Selassie I
    🏛️ 1936 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
    Haile Selassie I departs for exile following Italian invasion
  • Nelson Mandela
    🗳️ 1994 🇿🇦 South Africa
    Nelson Mandela wins South Africa's first democratic elections as F.W. de Klerk accepts defeat.
  • 🔬 1997 A sandstorm with winds of 60 MPH hit Egypt, damaging buildings and causing 12 deaths. 🇪🇬 Egypt
  • ⚠️ 2004 The Yelwa massacre concludes. It began on 4 February 2004 when armed Muslims killed 78 Christians at Yelwa, Nigeria. In response, about 630 Muslims were killed by Christians on May 2. 🇳🇬 Nigeria

Famous Births

1

Famous Deaths

2
  • Isaiah Shembe
    1867 – 1935 🇿🇦 South Africa
    Death of Nazareth Baptist Church founder Isaiah Shembe in South Africa.
  • Queen Mother Moore
    1898 – 1996 🇬🇭 Ghana
    Death of Pan-Africanist Queen Mother Moore in Ghana.

Discover Africa's Rich Past

The End of Aperthied

The End of Aperthied

In 1994, South Africa was preparing to hold its first democratic elections, which would mark the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era for the country. Nelson Mandela, who had spent 27 years in prison for his activism against apartheid, was running as the leader of the African National Congress (ANC). His opponent was President F.W. de Klerk, who had initiated the process of ending apartheid and had won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

On election day, millions of South Africans turned out to vote, many of them for the first time. The election was peaceful and free, with no incidents of violence or intimidation. When the results were announced, Mandela had won by a landslide, with the ANC taking more than 60% of the vote.

De Klerk accepted the defeat gracefully, congratulating Mandela on his victory and pledging to work with him to build a new South Africa. Mandela, in turn, called for reconciliation and unity, urging all South Africans to put the past behind them and work together for the good of the country.

The election marked a turning point in South Africa's history, and Mandela's victory was a symbol of hope and inspiration for people all over the world who were fighting for freedom and justice.

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