First democratic election

FIRST DEMOCRATIC ELECTION

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PRE AND POST ELECTION CAPTIONS

ELECTION 1994

Nelson Mandela's announcement on receipt of the provisional results, 2nd May 1994.

The Argus, Cape Town, 4th May 1994

My fellow South Africans - the people of South Africa. This is indeed a joyous moment. Although not yet final, we have received the provisional results of the election, and are delighted by the overwhelming support for the African National Congress.

To all those in the African National Congress and the democratic movement who worked so hard these last few days and through these many decades, I thank you and honour you. To the people of South Africa and the world who are watching: this is a joyous night for the human spirit. This is your victory to. You helped end apartheid, you stood with us through the transition.

I watched, along with all of you, as the tens of thousands of our people stood patiently in long queues for many hours. Some sleeping on the open ground overnight waiting to cast this momentous vote.

South Africa's heroes are legend across the generations. But it is you, the people, who are our true heroes.

This is one of the most important moments in the life of our country. I stand here before you filled with deep pride and joy. Pride in the ordinary, humble people of this country; You have shown such a calm, patient determination to reclaim this country as your own. And joy that we can loudly proclaim from the rooftops -free at last!

I stand before you humbled by your courage, with a heart full of love for all of you. I regard it as the highest honour to lead the ANC at this moment in our history, and that we have been chosen to lead our country into the new century.

I pledge to use all my strength and ability to live up to your expectations of me as well as of the ANC.

I am personally indebted and pay tribute to some of South Africa's greatest leaders including John Dube, Josiah Gumede, GM Naicker, Dr Abduraman, Chief Luthuli, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Yusuf Dadoo, Moses Kotane, Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo. They should have- been here to celebrate with us, for this is their achievement, too.

Tomorrow, the entire ANC leadership and I will be back at our desks. We are rolling up our sleeves to begin tackling the problems our country faces. We ask you all to join us - go back to your jobs in the morning. Let's get South Africa working.

For we must, together and without delay, begin to build a better life for all South Africans. This means creating jobs, building houses, providing education and bringing peace and security for all.

The calm and tolerant atmosphere that prevailed during the elections depicts the type of South Africa we can build. It set the tone for the future. We might have our differences, but we are one people with a common destiny in our rich variety of culture, race and tradition.

People have voted for the party of their choice and we respect that. This is democracy.

I hold out a hand of friendship to the leaders of all parties and their members, and ask all of them to join us in working together to tackle the problems we face as a nation. An ANC government will serve all the people of South Africa, not just ANC members.

We also commend the security forces for the sterling work done. This has laid a solid foundation for a truly professional security force, committed to the service of the people and loyalty to the new constitution.

Now is the time for celebration, for South Africans to join together to celebrate the birth of democracy. I raise a glass to you all for working so hard to achieve what can only be called a small miracle. Let our celebrations be in keeping with the mood set in the elections, peaceful, respectful and disciplined, showing we are a people ready to assume the responsibilities of government.

I promise that I will do my best to be worthy of the faith and confidence you have placed in me and my organisation, the African National Congress. Let us build the future together, and toast a better life for all South Africans.

-- By courtesy of The Argus, Cape Town, April/May 1994

The long wait

News Editors Meet Clinton

Agrey Klaaste of the Sowetan with Richard

Steyn of The Star-Johannesburg

IFP Leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi in KwaZulu

begins his campaign with an attack on the ANC

Azapo President Itumeleng Mosala

Frances Kendall Leader of the Federal party

AWB Leader Eugene Terré Blanche addressing supporters.

He has vowed to fight the emerging democracy

An enthusiastic supporter greets Cheif Magosuthu Buthelezi

Greeting Mandela The scene at the Grand Parade in Cape Town

P W Botha the previous president before F W De Klerk

Cape Towns mayor Patricia Kreiner and

the Premier of the Western Cape Hernus Kriel

UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali attended

the inaugaration of Nelson Mandela

SACTWU General Secretary Jabu Gwala -- leader of

the Western Capes largest union

Royal Smile of The Duke of Edinburgh

The First National Party Cabinet -- 1948

Outgoing Government

Outgoing Government -- Kobus Meiring the Administrator of the Cape packs up

Nelson Mandelas Warder and companion for more than 25 years

Nelson Mandela and F W de Klerk discuss top jobs

Outgoing State President applauded as he enters parliment.

The President and the First Deputy President

Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki being sworm in

Victory Jig by an upbeat Nelson Mandela

Constand Viljoen welcomed by Nelson Mandela in Parliment

Praise Singer in parliment

Buthulezi, Modise and Winnie

Daesmond Tutu -- Thanksgiving

Young Supporters -- to young to vote but not to show support

First Time Voters -- Its all smiles

Viva ANC

A Mass for Africa

Nat Supporters

Leader of the CP -- Hartzenberg meets his new president

Presidents Three!

New Era -- New President Nelson Mandela and

his two deputy presidents Thabo Mbeki and F W de Klerk

Harry Scwartz -- Ambassador to the USA

First Deputy President -- Thabo Mbeki

Housing and Foreign Affairs -- Slovo and Nzo

Red Joe -- Joe Slovo hard at work

POST ELECTION SNIPPETS -- By courtesy of The Argus, Cape Town, May 1994

THE FINAL POLL RESULT:

ANC GETS 62,6 PERCENT

JOHANNESBURG.-- THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION HAS DECLARED SOUTH AFRICA,S FIRST DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY FREE AND FAIR.

Mr Justice Johann Kriegler on behalf of the 16 commissioners, said today from the IEC headquarters in Midrand that it was substantially free and fair in spite of objections and complaints from political parties.

"The election was admittedly flawed, but that is peripheral. About 20 million people of this land were granted a say in the government of this country.

"The electorate was offered a reasonable opportunity to vote. When it came to counting once again disaster was averted. Alleged electoral violations occurring during the voting.

I and counting periods will be investigated and where necessary appropriately investigated.

"We were able to establish the will of the people with reasonable accuracy," the judge said.

With regard to claims of electoral fraud in KwaZulu-Natal, the IEC chairman said there were problems there with the counting of ballots.

Therefore, a reliable test of the votes would be to justify it proportionately to the proven support of the parties in that province.

He then proceeded to announce the tally of each party indicating the African National Congress had received 62.65 percent of the total number of counted ballots, with the National Party receiving 20.4 percent of the tally.

The Inkatha Freedom Party was third with 10.5 percent of the vote, while the Freedom Front received 2.2 percent.

Close to 20 million votes were counted, of which the ANC received just over 12 million votes.

In terms of the National Assembly seats for each party the ANC has 252 seats the NP has 82, the IFP 43, the Freedom Front nine, the Democratic Party seven, the Pan Africanist Congress five and the African Christian Democratic Party two seats..

NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT WINDS UP ITS AFFAIRS TODAY

THE Nationalist government is winding up its affairs today with a last cabinet meeting in Pretoria before handing over to a government of national unity led by Nelson Mandela

Ministers arrived early at the Union Buildings to attend winding-up meetings of cabinet committees before President De Klerk presided at the last cabinet meeting at 10am.

The cabinet has a short agenda today and was expected to deal with the general political situation after the National Party defeat and the African National Congress victory.

Mr De Klerk was expected to report on his meeting yesterday with Mr Mandela a which the transition to a new government and cabinet post for the NP were discussed.

The NP will be entitled to six posts in the new cabinet.

ANC'S TOP MEN EYEING CABINET POSTS

Joe Slovo certain to be included

TOP African National Congress members are vying for posts in the new cabinet to be announced by president-elect Nelson Mandela next week.

Among those bound to be in the cabinet are Joe Slovo of the Communist Party, Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa.

If Mr Mbeki is made deputy president, Mr Ramaphosa Will still get a top post in the cabinet, probably to do with labour affairs.

He has considerable experience as a trade union leader and also made a strong impression in the negotiations on the new constitution.

A reconstruction and development department may be created with Cosatu's Jay Naidoo heading it.

ANC economic planning head Trevor Manuel is likely to get a department to do with economic development but Mr Mandela may want to keep Derek Keys as Minister of Finance.

He has performed impressively in this post and has remained a non-political figure.

Sydney Mafumadi is being tipped for the portfolio of trade and industry, Pallo Jordan to science and technology, Steve Tshwete for sport, Marcel Goldding for health, Gertrude Shope for information, Nkosazana Zuma for posts and telecommunications and Mohammed I Valli Moosa for youth affairs I and women's interests.

The National Party will be entitled to six posts in the cabinet. FW de Klerk will be an executive deputy president.

Nationalists in line for inclusion are Pik Botha, Dawie de Villiers, Kobie Coetsee, Roelf Meyer, Leon Wessels and Mr Keys.

Meanwhile, Nationalist and I ANC Western Cape leaders Hernus Kriel and Allan Boesak have met to discuss posts in the provincial cabinet.

In Nationalist circles Administrator Kobus Meiring, Deputy-Minister Lampie Fick and two former MECs, Pieter Marais and Martha Olckers, are being strongly tipped.

Among others being mentioned are former MPs Peter Mackenzie, Arnold de Jager, Willem Doman and Gerald Morkel.

Apart from Dr Boesak, the ANC is considering some of its top candidates, including Lerumo Kalako, Chris Nissen, Vincent Diba, Hilda Ndude and Johnny Issel.

An ANC source said the party would be especially interested in a portfolio involving reconstruction and development.

The First National Party Cabinet -- 1948

Page compiled by Phumzile Mbuthu, Department of Library and Information Studies, M.L. Sultan Technikon September 2001.