12 years ago today:

Mandela is Named President, Closing the Era of Apartheid

CAPE TOWN, May 9 -- The power that had belonged to whites since they first settled on this cape 342 years ago passed today to a Parliament as diverse as any in the world, a cast of proud survivors who began their work by electing Nelson Mandela to be the first black president of South Africa.

'We place our vision of a new constitutional order for South Africa on the table not as conquerors, prescribing to the conquered. We speak as fellow citizens to heal the wounds of the past with the intent of constructing a new order based on justice for all,' he said.

Mr. Mandela, we salute you!