Democratic Era
1994-Present
The transition to democracy marked political liberation, but the era has been defined by the struggle to translate constitutional rights into economic reality amidst the challenges of inequality, state capture, and unemployment.
Key Themes
Truth & Reconciliation
AIDS Crisis
State Capture
Youth Unemployment
Population
Over 60 million (2024)
Sources & References
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Interactive Timeline
4 major events to explore. Tap to reveal more.
Explore the Timeline
Tap on any event to learn more. Each branch reveals deeper layers of history.
The Negotiated Transition
1994-1999
South Africa becomes a democracy, but the 'Sunset Clauses' leave the economic machinery of apartheid largely intact.
The Mbeki Era & AIDS Crisis
1999-2008
A period of economic growth marred by a catastrophic failure of public health policy.
The State Capture Era
2009-2018
The systemic looting of the state by a private elite.
The Crisis of the 'Born Frees'
2024-Present
The structural exclusion of youth from the economy.