Every April 27, South Africans celebrate their “Freedom Day.”
Saturday, April 27, was not in any way different. South Africans came out in their millions to remember their first democratic election in 1994. That election officially sent the racial segregation system of apartheid into the annals of history.
The 1994 election was a turning point for South Africa and its citizens.
Before the election, Nelson Mandela, who was the face of the anti-apartheid movement, had been released from prison. He later became South Africa’s first black leader.
But South Africa still needed years to prepare. It was still on a knife-edge in the months and weeks before the election due to the ongoing political violence. However, the election was held between April 26 and April 29. A large number of voters came out to cast their ballots.
The election was successful, and South Africa became a fully-fledged democracy.
Almost 20 million South Africans of all races voted, a clear departure from the general election of 1989, which took place during the apartheid era. Only 3 million white people voted.
