Mandela announces the ANC's election victory

De Klerk imposed emergency rule to curb escalating violence and protect the forthcoming election.

A last-minute agreement brought Inkatha onto the ballot, reducing the danger that KwaZulu-Natal would be excluded from the democratic vote.

A bomb near ANC offices killed at least nine people during a far-right campaign intended to disrupt the election.

Elderly, disabled, hospitalized and election personnel voted before the main polling day, beginning the formal transfer to majority rule.

For the first time, adult citizens of every racial classification voted together for a national government after centuries of colonialism and apartheid.

The newly elected democratic parliament chose Mandela as president, with Thabo Mbeki and F. W. de Klerk as deputy presidents.

The inauguration at the Union Buildings marked the formal end of white minority government and the creation of a Government of National Unity.