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On This Day Today

Vote To End Apartheid

Last Updated

17th March, 2025

Date Published

16th March, 2025

digital painting depicting the end of apartheid through voting. The scene shows a diverse group of people of different ethnicities standing.

Historical Context: March 17, 1992 - South Africa's Referendum

 • Event: White South Africans voted in a referendum to end apartheid.

 • Outcome: Approximately 68% voted in favor of dismantling apartheid, marking a significant step towards racial equality.

Significance:

 • Transition to Democracy: The referendum was a pivotal moment in South Africa's transition from an apartheid regime to a democratic government.

 • Role of F.W. de Klerk: The then-President F.W. de Klerk played a crucial role in initiating reforms and engaging in negotiations with anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela.

Aftermath:

 • Negotiations: The referendum set the stage for negotiations that led to the first multiracial elections in 1994.

 • Legacy: This event is celebrated as a landmark in the global struggle for human rights and equality, influencing movements worldwide.

Conclusion:

 • The March 17, 1992 referendum is a key historical event that underscores the importance of democratic processes in overcoming systemic oppression and achieving social justice.