PRETORIA, South Africa, April 27 (UPI) -- Ceremonies and celebrations were held throughout South Africa Tuesday to commemorate 10 years of multi-racial democracy, the BBC reported.
In Pretoria, President Thabo Mbeki was sworn in for a second term in office, timed to coincide with the end of apartheid in 1994. April 27 is known as "Freedom Day", symbolizing the end of white minority rule and the start of multi-racial democracy.
The event also drew two key figures in the transition from apartheid -- ex-presidents Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk.
While hailing the political and social advances made in the last decade, Mbeki told cheering crowds the country still has issues needing attention.
"Endemic and widespread poverty continues to disfigure the face of our country," he said. "It will always be impossible for us to say that we have fully restored the dignity of all our people as long as this situation persists."
The ruling African National Congress won a landslide victory in the April 14 elections.
