📅 6 September 1989
While white, Coloured and Indian chambers were elected, the Black majority remained excluded and democratic organizations mobilized defiance.
📅 20 September 1989
De Klerk took office amid deep internal resistance, economic pressure and international isolation that made political change unavoidable.
📅 28 November 1989
The decision began dismantling a central structure through which the security state had coordinated military influence over civilian government.
📅 2 February 1990
De Klerk announced the unbanning of the ANC, PAC and SACP, the release of political prisoners and the opening of a negotiated transition.
📅 10 February 1990
The president confirmed that Mandela would leave prison the following day without renouncing the liberation struggle.
📅 2 May 1990
Their first formal talks committed both sides to address political prisoners, exiles and security laws obstructing negotiations.
📅 7 June 1990
The government ended emergency rule in most of South Africa, removing a major repressive obstacle while violence and restrictions persisted elsewhere.
📅 6 August 1990
The government agreed to address remaining obstacles to negotiation, while the ANC announced suspension of armed actions to advance a political settlement.
📅 16 August 1990
The leaders met as attacks spread to Soweto after armed hostel residents assaulted train passengers, threatening the negotiation process.
📅 11 September 1990
ANC, UDF and COSATU representatives demanded government action as township killings threatened peaceful change.
📅 8 October 1990
After a Mandela-De Klerk meeting, the government announced that about 20,000 exiles could come home, reversing a major consequence of repression.
📅 28 January 1991
The movement gave De Klerk a list of officers it believed had participated in township attacks, making state accountability central to negotiations.
📅 12 February 1991
The accord affirmed peaceful protest and specified steps for suspending armed action while negotiations advanced.
📅 2 May 1991
Facing an ANC ultimatum, the president proposed including Black opposition figures in government and amending repressive laws.
📅 17 June 1991
A central pillar of apartheid racial classification was removed, though the structures and inequalities built upon it remained.
📅 14 September 1991
Parties, unions, religious bodies and civic organizations agreed to codes of conduct and monitoring mechanisms intended to reduce political violence.
📅 20 December 1991
Political organizations and international observers gathered for the first broad multiparty constitutional convention.
📅 21 December 1991
Most participating parties committed themselves to democracy, constitutional government and a peaceful transition.
📅 17 March 1992
In a whites-only referendum, a large majority supported De Klerk's negotiation policy, weakening the white right's claim to block the transition.
📅 21 June 1992
Mandela withdrew from formal talks, demanding action against violence and evidence of state involvement.
📅 26 August 1992
The meeting sought a way out of the post-Boipatong deadlock and prepared the ground for renewed constitutional negotiations.
📅 21 September 1992
At a peace summit, the leaders reopened the path to constitutional talks after Boipatong and Bisho.
📅 26 September 1992
The agreement addressed political prisoners, hostels, dangerous weapons, an elected constituent assembly and mechanisms to overcome deadlock.
📅 15 October 1993
The joint award recognized their roles in negotiating an end to apartheid, while many South Africans continued debating responsibility and compromise.
📅 31 March 1994
De Klerk imposed emergency rule to curb escalating violence and protect the forthcoming election.
📅 19 April 1994
A last-minute agreement brought Inkatha onto the ballot, reducing the danger that KwaZulu-Natal would be excluded from the democratic vote.
📅 27 April 1994
For the first time, adult citizens of every racial classification voted together for a national government after centuries of colonialism and apartheid.
📅 9 May 1994
The newly elected democratic parliament chose Mandela as president, with Thabo Mbeki and F. W. de Klerk as deputy presidents.
📅 10 May 1994
The inauguration at the Union Buildings marked the formal end of white minority government and the creation of a Government of National Unity.
