THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 7 July 1996

It's that time again when we look at an event that took place on this day years gone by. Take a listen to this clip, tell us who is speaking and what event took place on this day, the 7th of July 1996 relating to the speaker

CLIP: HISTORY- MANDELA Retirement

ANSWER: That was the voice of Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. 

On this day, the 7th of July 1996, the la President Nelson Mandela confirmed the rumours that he would not stand for re-election in 1999.

In this in accordance to what he had initially said when he was sworn in as the country's first democratic president in 1994. The South African constitution stipulates that a president can only serve for two terms as the head of state. 

Mandela felt one term was enough as he had already laid the foundation for a better future for all. Mandela did not publicly choose his successor. 

This may have been to the fierce competition between Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa, who were both favourites for the position.

Mbeki was ultimately elected ANC president in 1997, thus putting him in line of the country's presidency ahead of Ramaphosa

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 7 July 1996 It's that time again when we look at an event that took place on this day years gone by. Take a listen to this clip, tell us who is speaking and what event took place on this day, the 7th of July 1996 relating to the speaker CLIP: HISTORY- MANDELA Retirement ANSWER: That was the voice of Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. On this day, the 7th of July 1996, the la President Nelson Mandela confirmed the rumours that he would not stand for re-election in 1999. In this in accordance to what he had initially said when he was sworn in as the country's first democratic president in 1994. The South African constitution stipulates that a president can only serve for two terms as the head of state. Mandela felt one term was enough as he had already laid the foundation for a better future for all. Mandela did not publicly choose his successor. This may have been to the fierce competition between Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa, who were both favourites for the position. Mbeki was ultimately elected ANC president in 1997, thus putting him in line of the country's presidency ahead of Ramaphosa

"This Day in History" is a daily feature on SAfm.

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