Taking a look at some important dates in South Africa’s political history in the 1990’s.

1990 – African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation movements are unbanned. Mandela is released after 27 years in prison.
1991 – Start of Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa). FW de Klerk appeals remaining apartheid laws and international sanctions are lifted.
1992 – People are massacred at Boipatong Township, allegedly by KwaMadala Hostel dwellers in the so-called ‘black-on-black violence’ orchestrated by the National Party (NP) regime. However, third force elements are suspected because there were even whites spotted who were disguised in balaclavas in that shooting.
1993 – Agreement on an interim constitution. Chris Hani is assassinated.
1994 – ANC wins the first democratic elections. Mandela heads government of national unity. SA’s Commonwealth membership is restored. SA takes seat in the General Assembly.
1996 – The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings on human rights crimes committed during apartheid. New constitution is adopted.
1998 – The TRC final report brands apartheid a crime against humanity.
1999 – Thabo Mbeki becomes President. Next week a look at political history in the millennium.

Philani Hadebe is a freelance journalist who majored in Political Science