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Events on Wednesday 20 September 1989 1
1989F. W. de Klerk becomes South African presidentNew leader signals the beginning of the end of apartheidF. W. de Klerk was sworn in as State President of South Africa after P. W. Botha's resignation. He would go on to legalize the African National Congress and release Nelson Mandela from prison the following year. His reforms led to the negotiated end of apartheid.