This Day in History: br Nelson Mandela Is br Inaugurated in South Africa May 10, 1994 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela had br been a political prisoner in br South Africa for 27 years. In 1964, under the racist regime br of apartheid instituted by the National Party, Mandela had been convicted br and sentenced to life in prison br on charges of sabotage, br treason and conspiracy. While in prison, Mandela's resolve br was steadfast and he continued to br be the symbolic leader of the br anti-apartheid movement. Released by South African president br F.W. de Klerk on February 11, 1990, br Mandela led negotiations for the end of apartheid. Four years later, 22 million br South Africans would turn out br to vote for Mandela, electing him br the first black president of South Africa.