South Africa’s first multiracial elections start

Date: 26 Apr 1994
Updated: 22 Aug 2019

Four years after the unbanning of the liberation movements and release of political prisoners, SA held its first multi-racial elections. The elections resulted in the establishment of the new Government of National Unity (GNU) led by the African National Congress (ANC). Three parties, the ANC (who won the election), the National Party (NP), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) shared the executive power. Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president of South Africa. The GNU system of government lasted until the general elections in 1999. References: Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau. http://www.andibradley.com/whatya/apr26.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm

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South African History Online. (2011, March 16). South Africa’s first multiracial elections start. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013155

South African History Online (2011) 'South Africa’s first multiracial elections start', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013155 (Accessed: 17 September 2026).

South African History Online, South Africa’s first multiracial elections start [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013155, (accessed 17 September 2026).

"South Africa’s first multiracial elections start." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013155. Accessed 17 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "South Africa’s first multiracial elections start." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013155.