Nelson Mandela's "Irreversible" March to Freedom
This year is the 20th anniversary of Madiba's inauguration.
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20th Anniversary of Madiba's Inauguration - Considered “the father of the nation,” Nelson Mandela was inaugurated 20 years ago today in Pretoria, South Africa, bringing forth landmark policies during his presidency to counteract the sweeping socioeconomic disparities caused by apartheid. As the country's first Black president, he undertook the enormous task of rehabilitating a divided nation and undoing decades of institutionalized poverty and racism. Continue reading to learn more about the major changes ushered in during Mandela’s administration. – Patrice Peck(Photo: WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images)
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Creating a Diverse Government - Once elected president, Mandela established the Government of National Unity to reflect the divergent political parties represented in the National Assembly. The governing party African National Congress, the former governing National Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party all secured cabinet-level positions for their leaders and select parliamentary members. (Photo: REUTERS/Patrick de Noirmont)
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Drafting a Brand New South Africa - A new South African constitution, which Mandela helped to oversee and implement, was enacted in 1996. Included in the noteworthy changes were the prohibition of discrimination against minorities and the realization of a democratic government centered on majority rule. (Photo: STR New/Reuters)
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Dressing Apartheid Wounds With Truth and Reconciliation - Mandela tapped Desmond Tutu to serve as chair over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a court-like reparative justice body established in Cape Town, South Africa. The hearings lasted from 1996 to 1998, during which witnesses and perpetrators of apartheid’s gross human rights and political violations testified about their experiences. (Photo: WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images)
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Restoring Land Confiscated During Apartheid - To recompense Black South Africans whose land was taken from them through the racially-discriminatory Natives Land Act of 1913, Mandela’s administration enacted the Land Restitution Act of 1994. Tens of thousands of claims have been settled since then, yet the issue of land reform has been brought to the forefront of South African politics in recent years. (Photo: REUTTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
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Protecting the Rights of Farm Workers - The rights of labor tenants and farm workers were also protected under the Land Reform Act of 1996, which prevents them for being evicted from their farms without a court order or if they are over 65 years old. An Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 and the Prevention of Illegal Occupation of Land Act of 1998 were also enforced to give these workers security of tenure. (Photo: REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi)
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Uniting the Nation at the Rugby World Cup - At the 1995 Rugby World Cup South Africa, Mandela seized a landmark opportunity to assuage post-apartheid race relations by rallying behind the national rugby team, the Springboks. The former president walked onto the field — donning a Springbok jersey — and presented the winning trophy to the team captain, uniting a historically divided nation around one event. “Sport,” Mandela once said, “has the power to change the world.” (Photo: Dave Rogers/Allsport/Getty Images)
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Improving the Skills of Workers - As a result of apartheid and poverty, South Africa suffered high levels of unemployment, glaring disparities in income distribution and imbalanced job prospects. The Skills Development Act of 1998 was passed to develop and improve the skills of people in the workplace and increase productivity. (Photo: REUTERS/Jon Herskovitz)
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Regulating the Rights of Trade Unions - Trade unions in South Africa played a large role in enforcing racial disparity during apartheid and fostering reconciliation during Mandela’s administration. To better establish orderly collective bargaining and promote workplace democracy, the government passed The Labour Relations Act of 1995. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997 and Employment Equity Act of 1998 also addressed this gap.(Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
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Enforcing Children’s Right to Health Care - During his first 100 days in office, Mandela made it a priority to provide free health care to children less than six years of age and pregnant women. In 1996, this provision was extended to anyone using primary level public sector services. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)