South Africa at 20: Celebrating 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy

This year, South Africa is celebrating 20th anniversary of its first general elections when voters sent Nelson Mandela to the presidency ending the scourge of apartheid. This milestone anniversary is an occasion to reflect on the impressive accomplishments of South African democracy and economy since 1994, ponder key challenges facing the country today and in the years ahead, and also think about South Africa's place in Africa and globally. The Africa Program of the Wilson Center, South Africa-Washington International Program (SAWIP) and the Embassy of South Africa in Washington, DC, will host a half-day conference bringing together distinguished experts, business and political leaders and policymakers to discuss South Africa’s long road to freedom and democracy, the social, political and economic accomplishments of the country in the last two decades, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. The event will also showcase a group of emerging young leaders of South Africa and a panel discussion on the views of the “born free” generation on today’s South Africa and their concerns and hopes for the future of South Africa and the continent.