Question: Which event marked the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa?

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:13:36 +0000

Which Event Marked the Beginning of the End of Apartheid in South Africa? The dismantling of apartheid in South Africa was not the result of a single moment, but a culmination of decades of resistance, international pressure, and pivotal turning points. However, scholars and historians widely agree that the release of Nelson Mandela from prison on February 11, 1990, marked the definitive beginning of the end of apartheid. ### A Symbolic Break from Decades of Oppression For 27 years, Nelson Mandela, the iconic leader of the African National Congress (ANC), was imprisoned on Robben Island under South Africa’s brutal apartheid regime. His incarceration became a global symbol of the injustice and resistance to racial segregation. Yet, his release on February 11, 1990, was far more than a personal victory—it signaled the beginning of formal negotiations to dismantle apartheid laws and transition toward a democratic, inclusive South Africa.