Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk Both Got A (Peace) Prize

Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk, key figures in dismantling apartheid and transitioning South Africa towards democracy, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their efforts in bringing peace and reconciliation to their country.

Nelson Mandela, the leader of the African National Congress (ANC), had been imprisoned for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activities. In 1990, then-South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk, a reform-minded leader of the National Party, ordered Mandela’s release from prison, recognizing the need for change in the country. This marked the beginning of negotiations to end the apartheid system and establish multiracial elections in South Africa.

During the negotiations, Mandela and de Klerk faced numerous challenges, including violence between various political factions and the reluctance of some within their own parties to embrace change. Despite these obstacles, both leaders remained committed to a peaceful transition to democracy.

On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections, in which all citizens, regardless of race, were allowed to vote. Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, while Frederik Willem de Klerk served as his deputy president.

In recognition of their efforts to end apartheid and establish a new democratic South Africa, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Mandela and de Klerk the Nobel Peace Prize on October 15, 1993. The award highlighted the importance of their cooperation and mutual trust, which had laid the foundation for a peaceful and democratic future for South Africa.