TODAY IN HISTORY South Africa begins first multiracial elections

26 April 1994

Four years after the lifting ban on the liberation movements and release of political prisoners, South Africa held its first multi-racial elections. The elections resulted in the establishment of the new Government of National Unity (GNU) led by the African National Congress (ANC). Three parties, the ANC (who won the election), the National Party (NP), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) shared the executive power. Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president of South Africa. The GNU system of government lasted until the general elections in 1999.