Nelson Mandela- Presidency

 

As the newly elected South American president, Mandela sought reconciliation among the African American people and the more powerful white minority. Mandela constructed the Government of National Unity (GNU) which consisted of himself, F.W de Klerk and Thabo Mebki from the ANC. In 1995 he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which investigated human rights violations under apartheid, and he introduced housing, education, and economic development initiatives designed to improve the living standards of the country’s black population.

During 1995, South Africa’s unemployment rate skyrocketed because of whites fearful of the future. The powerful white population took their wealth with them to places such as Australia or England. Due to the unemployment, the level of crime increased dramatically with reports of carjacking, rape and murder. Mandela as well as the GNU faced much criticism, but they knew that the reconstruction of South Africa would be a long process. In response, Mandela set up the Reconstruction and Development Plan (RDP) in an attempt for the country to recover economically. The RDP would grant the construction of millions of homes and education for all.

Even with the RDP South Africa became one of the most dangerous places for both blacks and whites. During his reign another problem that troubled South Africa was the HIV (aids) epidemic, which devastated many communities. The Department of Health in 1998 estimated that about ten percent of the population was infected with the virus. The newly formed government did not know how to control this epidemic.

Even though the ANC suffered many tragedies such as the HIV epidemic, optimism struck Mandela once South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup. When South Africa won this championship Mandela happily presented the trophy to their white team captain Francois Piennar. This symbolic event took a major step in the reconciliation of blacks and whites.

Although problems of crime, unemployment, and HIV were not completely fixed during the reign of Nelson Mandela, he laid down a clear path to South Africa’s evolving democracy.