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South Africa agrees to multi-racial elections

The apartheid system in South Africa was ended through a series of bilateral and multi-party negotiations between 1990 and 1993.

The apartheid system in South Africa was ended through a series of bilateral and multi-party negotiations between 1990 and 1993. The negotiations culminated in the passage of a new interim Constitution in 1993, a precursor to the Constitution of 1996; and in South Africa's first non-racial elections in 1994, won by the African National Congress (ANC) liberation movement.

Although there had been gestures towards negotiations in the 1970s and 1980s, the process accelerated in 1990, when the government of F. W. de Klerk took a number of unilateral steps towards reform, including releasing Nelson Mandela from prison and unbanning the ANC and other political organisations.

Historical Significance

The apartheid system in South Africa was ended through a series of bilateral and multi-party negotiations between 1990 and 1993.

Events Before

  1. Grace Hopper dies

    Grace Hopper, American u.s. naval officer and computer scientist, known for u.s. naval officer and computer scientist, died on 1992-01-01.

  2. MLB baseball right fielder Sammy Sosa (23) weds Sonia Rodriguez

    MLB baseball right fielder Sammy Sosa (23) weds Sonia Rodriguez

  3. The Maastricht Treaty is signed by 12 countries from the European Community (EC) to create the European Union (EU)

    The European Union is a geo-political entity, created in 1993, covering a large portion of the European continent.

  4. American record producer Lou Adler (58) weds American actress Page Hannah (27) (Daryl's sister)

    American record producer Lou Adler (58) weds American actress Page Hannah (27) (Daryl's sister)

  5. NHL players begin first strike in 75-year history; 10 day action earns large playoff bonus increase, more control over l

    NHL players begin first strike in 75-year history; 10 day action earns large playoff bonus increase, more control over licensing of their likenesses and changes to free agency system

Events After

  1. Aleksandr Popov swims a world record 100m freestyle of 47.83 seconds

    Aleksandr Popov swims a world record 100m freestyle of 47.83 seconds

  2. Kathleen Kinmont files for divorce from Lorenzo Lamas

    Lorenzo Fernando Lamas is an American actor and producer. He is widely known for his role of Lance Cumson, the irresponsible grandson of Angela Channing—played by Jane Wyman—in the soap opera Falcon...

  3. Kapil Dev takes 2/41 as India beats Sri Lanka by an innings and 95 runs in 2nd Cricket Test in Bengaluru; equals Sir Ric

    Kapil Dev takes 2/41 as India beats Sri Lanka by an innings and 95 runs in 2nd Cricket Test in Bengaluru; equals Sir Richard Hadlee's world record of 431 Test wickets

  4. The Church of England ordains its first 32 female priests at the Bristol Cathedral in Bristol, England [1]

    On 12 March 1994, 32 women were ordained as Church of England priests for the first time in history.

  5. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. divorces Emily Black

    Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving as the 26th United...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 7, 1993?
The apartheid system in South Africa was ended through a series of bilateral and multi-party negotiations between 1990 and 1993. The negotiations culminated in the passage of a new interim Constitution in 1993, a precursor to the Constitution of 1996; and in South Africa's first non-racial elections in 1994, won by the African National Congress (ANC) liberation movement. Although there had been gestures towards negotiations in the 1970s and 1980s, the process accelerated in 1990, when the government of F.
Why is South Africa agrees to multi-racial elections significant?
The apartheid system in South Africa was ended through a series of bilateral and multi-party negotiations between 1990 and 1993.

Explore More

May 7 in HistoryYear 1993