NCERT · Class 10 · English · First Flight: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to FreedomWhy did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration ceremony on 10th May 1994?

On 10th May 1994, a historic inauguration ceremony took place in Pretoria, South Africa, marking the end of the brutal apartheid regime and the establishment of the country's first democratic, non-racial government. A large number of international leaders and dignitaries from over 140 countries attended this ceremony to show their solidarity and support. For decades, South Africa had been isolated from the international community due to its discriminatory policies of racial segregation. The presence of these global leaders symbolized the end of this isolation and represented a common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity. It was a gesture of international recognition for the newly born free nation, celebrating the triumph of humanity over racial oppression.