- After prison:
Mandela became the president of the ANC in 1991. Following the fall of apartheid, free elections were held for the first time in 1994. When the ANC won these elections, Mandela became president of South Africa. At the time, the country was still heavily divided as it moved from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. Rather than seeking revenge, Mandela encouraged forgiveness and reconciliation. One famous example was at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, held in South Africa for the first time that year. Although South Africa's national team the Springboks had reached the final, many black South Africans did not support the Springboks. They saw rugby as a white man's sport. Mandela appeared on the field wearing a Springboks' jersey and cap. The Springboks became the World Cup champion. This day became the symbol of the coming together of the Rainbow Nation. After completing one five-year term in office, Mandela stepped down as the President of South Africa in 1999.