1994 elections: IEC had just 4 months to organise EVERYTHING
The newly formed IEC had only a few months to complete a task that normally takes several years.
Late ANC President Nelson Mandela greets young supporters atop a billboard in a township outside Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 16 April 1994, prior to an election rally. Picture: AFP
Clarence Ford speaks with Barbara Friedman about this and other trending online stories.
Listen to the interview below.
The 1994 elections were pivotal in South Africa's history, marking its transition to democracy.
However, the new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had to organise everything in four months.
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The IEC was formed in January 1994 after an agreement that nothing from the old electoral administration would be used.
The mammoth task of organising this election also happened amid much tension and violence.
Despite a seemingly impossible deadline, which famously included adding the IFP to the ballot paper with stickers at the last minute, and no voters' roll, the IEC pulled it off.
Looking back at this miracle election and the peaceful handover of power reminds us that South Africa is an accomplished democracy.
“We are a very resourceful bunch.”
– Barbara Friedman
“With all the problems we are facing, sometimes reading the history of where this started is humbling.”
– Barbara Friedman
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.