On March 17, 1992, white South Africans vote overwhelmingly
in a referendum to end minority rule, by a margin of 68.7
percent to 31.2 percent. Thus ended the turbulent period
called apartheid, a racial segregation policy that separated
the minority white population by designating areas and
activities prohibited to Black people.
“Today we have closed the book on apartheid,” President F.W.
de Klerk said on the day after the vote.
Two years after the vote to end apartheid, in 1994, South Africa
held its first free and nonracial election, and Nelson Mandela
(above) an activist who had spent 27 years in prison for his
opposition to apartheid—became the first Black president of
the county.
Frederik de Klerk (left) with Nelson Mandela, 1992.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013)
