Nelson Mandela timeline of achievements

11 February 1990 – Nelson Mandela is released from Victor Verster Prison after 27 years of imprisonment.

1991 – He is elected president of the African National Congress (ANC).

21 December 1991 – The first plenary session of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codessa) is held at the World Trade Centre in Johannesburg.

10 December 1993 - Mandela and de Klerk jointly win the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end apartheid peacefully.

27 April 1994 – The first democratic elections are held in South Africa.

10 May 1994 –  Mandela is inaugurated as the first black democratically elected president of South Africa.

24 May 1994 –Mandela introduces the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to address socio-economic issues such as jobs, land, housing, water, electricity, telecommunications and transport and resolve and alleviate poverty.

8 May 1995 - Mandela launches the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, a charitable organization which aims to help young people, particularly orphans of the AIDS crisis.

19 July 1995 - Mandela signs a bill into law creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to uncover human rights abuses during the apartheid era.

10 December 1996 - Mandela signs into law the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. It established a strong central government based on majority rule, and guaranteeing both the rights of minorities and the freedom of expression.

June 1996 - the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) macroeconomic policy was introduced to replace RDP. The policy proposed a set of medium-term policies aimed at the rapid liberalisation of the South African economy.

June 1999 - Mandela steps down after one term as President and retires from active politics.

September 1999– The Nelson Mandela Foundation is founded to promote Mandela's vision of freedom and equality for all. Post presidency, Mandela raised money to build schools and clinics in South Africa’s rural areas; advocated for peace and equality; and remained committed in his fight against AIDS.