The adoption of the South African Constitution on 8 May 1996 was one of the turning points in the history of the struggle for democracy in South Africa. The Constitution is considered by many as one of the most advanced in the world, with a Bill of Rights second to none.

Four years after the unbanning of the liberation movements and release of political prisoners, SA 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. References: Wallis, F. (2000).

Lesotho's Deputy Prime Minister, Selometsi Baholo, is shot dead by dissident soldiers during an apparent kidnapping attempt. They also seize four cabinet ministers, Shakhane Mokhehle, Monyane Moleleki, Pakalitha Mosisili and Kelebone Maope in the mutiny over a planned government probe into the army. Parliament, whose members probably fear for their own safety, adjourns immediately. Lesotho's President Mokhehle appeals for South African intervention, but his request is turned down.

The inter-racial Women's National Coalition (WNC) Conference (25-27 February 1994), started in the World Trade Centre, Kempton Park. The conference focused primarily on the drafting of a Women's Charter and the future of the Women's National Coalition. The Women's Charter was adopted on the last day of the conference.

The Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) president Clarence Makwetu announced the PAC's suspension of its armed struggle, thus opening the way for election participation by its members. With the ANC and the PAC banned and African political activity officially limited to government-appointed bodies in the homelands, young people sought alternative means to express their political aspirations. This led to a period of exile and the turn to armed struggle by the Azanian Peolple's Liberation Army (APLA) and Umkhonto we Sizwe, military wings of the PAC and ANC respectively.

After emerging as an independent country following French colonization, Ivory Coast came under the leadership of Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Known as the father of independence, he had formed the first agricultural trade union for African farmers. He established a strong relationship with the French government, which promoted the increase of the French population on Ivory Coast. Houphouët-Boigny ruled Ivory Coast autocratically, refusing press freedom and the establishment of any other political parties.

Afrikaner Volksfront flag A new coalition made up of twenty-one right wing parties, known as Afrikaner National Front (Afrikaner Volksfront or AVF) was founded by several former leaders of the South African Defence Force (SADF). Gen. Constant Viljoen was elected as the leader of the movement. The AVF was founded as result of mounting right wing resistance to the multi party negotiation process held at Kempton Park.

The South African Defence Force's (SADF) 31st Battalion was disbanded at a public ceremony in the Cape Province. This Battalion was composed primarily of the San (Bushmen) battalion who had been deployed in South African townships and who fought in the war in Namibia. President F. W. de Klerk announced that it would be disbanded as part of the efforts to end violence in South Africa, as they were allegedly involved in vigilante activities across the country. The Battalion allegedly dispersed trained killers.

In a historic move, Wilhelm Verwoerd, grandson of former South African Prime Minister, Hendrik Verwoerd, main architect of apartheid, joins the African National Congress. Wilhelm Verwoerd risked being alienated by his family and friends for his decision. He was not even welcome at Stellenbosch, the town he grew up as he was called a traitor of Afrikanerdom and the belief of his grandfather. His wife Melanie Verwoerd was a card-carrying member of the ANC even before he joined the organisation.

Thirty-one years after being expelled, South Africa had its membership of the Football International Federation Association (Fifa) reinstated on 3 July 1992. In 1956, the South African government introduced its first racist policy on sport. Previous to this, in keeping with pre-apartheid segregation, leagues had been divided according to race. Now Black-owned football clubs were officially not recognised as equal members with White-owned clubs.