The Fall of Apartheid
A critical step towards a non-racial South Africa, was the formation of the Congress Alliance, including the Indian Congress, Coloured Peoples Congress, a small White Congress Organization (Congress of Democrats) and the South African Congress of Trade Unions.
In 1955, a Freedom Charter was drawn up at the Congress of the People in Soweto. However, in 1963, top leaders still in the country, including members of the newly formed military wing Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation) were arrested. At the Rivonia Trial, Mandela and others, were convicted of sabotage and were sentenced to life imprisonment.
1976 marked the beginning of a sustained anti-apartheid revolt in June, pupils of Soweto rose up against apartheid education. Youth activism became the single most effective arm in the politics of resistance in the 1980's.
In 1989, F.W De Klerk the state president, surprised the parliament and the country by unbanning the liberation movements, and releasing political prisoners, notably Nelson Mandela in February 1990.
A large part of the National Party's core constituency was ready to explore larger national identities, even across the racial divides. Apartheid increasingly seemed like a strait jacket then a safe guard.
South Africa held it's first democratic election in April 1994. The ANC emerged with a 62% majority. The now, ANC led government, embarked on a program to promote development and reconstruction of the country and institutions
During the five year presidency of Mandela, there was a significant mile-stone of democratization.
