South Africa: The presidency of Nelson Mandela (1994-1999)
Updated February 2011 In the wake of successful democratic
elections and the installation of a government of national unity
(GNU) under the leadership of the African National Congress
(ANC), South Africa was able to re-enter the family of nations.
Before the end of 1994 it had joined or rejoined the United
Nations and the agencies associated with it, the World Bank ,
the Organisation of African Unity, the Commonwealth, the Non-
Aligned Movement and the Southern African Development Community
and established diplomatic relations with countries across the
world (Simon 2001, 385, 386; South African history Online 2006).
Internally, social militarisation gave way to a culture of
social, cultural and political freedom (Freund & Padayachee
1998, 1180). The dismantling of embargos and sanctions opened up
the world for South Africa to resume normal business and trade
relations and South African business expanded aggressively into
Africa (Simon 2001, 389-395). S