Nelson Mandela used to be the South African President.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ( [ mænˈdɛlə ] 18 July 1918 -- 5 December 2013 ) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary , politician , and philanthropist , who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 . General elections were held in South Africa on 27 April 1994 . Thabo Mbeki . ( [ tʰaɓɔ mbɛːkʼi ] ; born 18 June 1942 ) is a South African politician who served as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008 .