📅 26 May 1948
The National Party won the most seats in the general election on a platform of racial segregation, and D.F. Malan became prime minister. The electoral system excluded most Black South Africans from...
📅 16 April 1958
The National Party won the 16 April general election, held under an electoral system that excluded the Black majority. The ANC addressed white voters in a public message, pointing out that they...
📅 14 September 1991
Representatives of political organisations, trade unions, business, churches and other bodies signed the National Peace Accord in Johannesburg. It established structures intended to prevent and...
📅 21 December 1991
The first plenary session of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa opened at the World Trade Centre near Johannesburg. Delegates from political parties signed a Declaration of Intent,...
📅 1 April 1993
Twenty-six parties and organisations met at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park to begin the Multi-Party Negotiating Forum. The forum followed the breakdown of CODESA and aimed to chart a renewed...
📅 18 November 1993
After prolonged multi-party negotiations, representatives agreed on the text of an interim constitution in the early hours of 18 November. The agreement established the framework for...
📅 9 May 1994
The newly elected National Assembly chose Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s president. This parliamentary step converted the election result into executive authority under the interim constitution....
📅 11 May 1994
The new government included ministers from the ANC, National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party under the interim constitution. The ANC held the largest share of cabinet portfolios, while the arrangement...
📅 30 June 1996
The National Party announced its withdrawal from the Government of National Unity, ending its formal participation in the post-1994 cabinet. The ANC-led government continued without the former...
