May 10, 1994

Inauguration of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first Black president

The roar of approaching air-force jets made people on the lawns tense — then the aircraft released the colours of the new flag in salute to their new commander-in-chief.

10 May 1994 at the Union Buildings

Nelson Mandela took the presidential oath before Chief Justice Michael Corbett and signed it at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 10 May 1994. The newly constituted National Assembly had elected him unanimously the day before.

In his inaugural address he described himself as the first president of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government, and committed the new government to reconciliation, nation-building and peace.

Two deputy presidents, one of them the man he replaced

Thabo Mbeki and the outgoing president, F. W. de Klerk, were sworn in as deputy presidents in the Government of National Unity. De Klerk handed over the presidency and then took office under Mandela.

The ANC had won 12,237,655 national votes — 62.65% of valid votes — and 252 of the National Assembly's 400 seats. The coalition cabinet was announced on 11 May.

The flypast, and a football match

South African military aircraft flew over the ceremony trailing the colours of the new national flag. Witnesses initially tensed at the sound before recognising the flypast as a salute to the new commander-in-chief.

After the Union Buildings ceremony and the luncheon, Mandela flew by helicopter to Ellis Park for a South Africa–Zambia football match.

Sources

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