South African Airways is given permission to fly over the bulge of Africa as negotiations to end apartheid gain momentum

The release of political prisoners like Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid in South Africa also signaled the end of sanctions and boycotts on the country by the international community. Since the establishment of apartheid in 1948, various attempts had been made to isolate the country. One area where this was evident was in aviation. For years, South Africa could not fly over the bulge of Africa. Most African countries had denied it over-flying rights. It was forced to fly around the bulge and refuel at Cape Verde to maintain services to European countries. This ban was lifted on 8 June 1991.