Hope reigns 10 years after apartheid

PRETORIA, South Africa - South Africa inaugurated a president Tuesday and celebrated 10 years as a multiracial democracy with cheers and songs of tribute to Nelson Mandela, the patriarch who peacefully led the nation out of apartheid.

Thabo Mbeki, Mandela's successor as president, began his second term with a pledge never to betray those who suffered and died to end white minority rule.

"Despite the fact that we are a mere 10 years removed from the period of racist dictatorship, it is today impossible to imagine a South Africa that is not a democratic South Africa," Mbeki said in his inaugural address.

"We are proud that every day now, black and white South Africans discover that they are, after all, one another's keeper."

Mbeki's inauguration kicked off nationwide celebrations on Freedom Day, a holiday that commemorates the day in 1994 when South Africans of all races voted together for the first time, bringing a remarkably peaceful end to nearly half a century of often violent white minority rule.

Mandela, 85, who emerged from 27 years in prison to lead negotiations that ended apartheid and then became the country's first black president, joined in the celebrations. Also present was F.W. De Klerk, South Africa's last white president who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for negotiating himself out of power.

Mbeki acknowledged that despite a growing economy and new opportunities, the country still had to confront huge problems - widespread poverty, high unemployment, violent crime and a devastating AIDS epidemic. Still, he offered the country hope.

"Today we begin our second decade of democracy. We are convinced that what has been achieved during the first demonstrates that as Africans we can and will solve our problems," Mbeki said. "Having served as the prime example of human despair, Africa is certain to emerge as a place of human hope."

APRIL 27-29, 1994: First all-race democratic elections, won by the African National Congress.

MAY 10, 1994: ANC leader Nelson Mandela inaugurated first black president.

DEC. 5, 1995: Truth and Reconciliation Commission formed to investigate crimes committed under apartheid.

MAY 8, 1996: New constitution ratified guaranteeing equal rights and majority rule.

DEC. 20, 1997: Thabo Mbeki chosen to succeed Mandela as ANC leader.

JUNE 2, 1999: ANC wins sweeping parliamentary majority in second democratic national and provincial elections.

JUNE 14, 1999: Mbeki inaugurated president.

MARCH 21, 2003: Truth Commission presents final report, recommends government pay $348-million to more than 21,000 victims of apartheid-era abuses.

APRIL 14: Third democratic national and provincial elections.

APRIL 27: Mbeki sworn in for a second term as South Africa celebrates decade of multiracial democracy.

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