He was the first black president of South Africa

One of the most interesting facts about Nelson Mandela is that he was the first black president of South Africa. Nelson Mandela's presidency began on May 10, 1994, when Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist, Umkhonto We Sizwe leader, lawyer, and former political prisoner, was inaugurated as President of South Africa and ended on June 14, 1999. He was the first non-White head of state in South African history, as well as the first to assume office after apartheid was abolished and complete multiracial democracy was established. Mandela was also the oldest head of state in South African history, having assumed office at the age of 75. His decision not to run for re-election in 1999 was influenced in part by his age.

On April 27, 1994, South Africa had its first multi-racial election with complete enfranchisement. The African National Congress received 63 percent of the vote in the election, and Mandela was inaugurated as the country's first Black President on May 10, 1994, with the National Party's F.W. de Klerk as his first deputy and Thabo Mbeki as his second in the Government of National Unity.

The president was limited to two consecutive five-year terms under the 1996 constitution. Mandela did not try to have the document altered to remove the two-term limit; in fact, he only expected to serve one term, with age playing a significant role in this choice. Mandela resigned from the presidency on June 14, 1999. Mbeki, who took over the presidency on June 16, succeeded him. Mandela departed from active politics and spent the next several years involved in a variety of humanitarian endeavors.