Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

After South Africa's first national democratic elections held in April 1994, the president of the African National Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela, was sworn in as South Africa's first black president at the Union Buildings, Pretoria after being unanimously elected by parliament. He replaced the outgoing National Party leader F.W. de Klerk.

Click here to read Mandela inaugural speech.

How we know this

01Ndabam D., (1994), 'The world at Mandela's feet', from the Sowetan, 10 May, [online], Available at www.southafrica.info [Accessed: 10 July 2013]
02(2005). 'Pretoria 1855-2005: Chronologie 1798-1935'.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013160

South African History Online (2011) 'Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013160 (Accessed: 6 October 2026).

South African History Online, Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013160, (accessed 6 October 2026).

"Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013160. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013160.