Nelson Mandela After His Presidential Win

Newly elected President Nelson Mandela stands on the steps of Parliament after winning the first free Democratic election in South Africa after apartheid was abolished. Thabo Mbeki (left) and F W de Klerk, the new Deputy Presidents, stand on either side of Mandela as the new leaders salute at the national anthem. A longtime political prisoner, Nelson Mandela was held by the apartheid based government from 1964-1990 for sabotage. With the coming of a freer political climate, Mandela was released from his life sentence at Victor Vester Prison on February 11, 1990. He went on to lead the African National Congress in negotiations with President F. W. de Klerk, that resulted in the end of apartheid and full citizenship for all South Africans. He and de Klerk received a joint Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their efforts. Mandela was elected president in 1994. (Photo by © Louise Gubb/CORBIS SABA/Corbis via Getty Images)