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CEREMONIAL POST The Republic of South Africa was proclaimed on May 31st 1961 . Charles Robberts Swart , the last Governor-General , was sworn in as the first State President. Like Paul Kruger , and other presidents of Boer Republics , the State President wore a Sash with the Republic's Coat Of Arms , but performed mainly ceremonial duties. The ruling National Party decided against having an executive presidency, instead adopting a minimalist approach, as a conciliatory gesture to English-speaking whites who were opposed to a republic. Like Governors-General before them, State Presidents were retired National Party ministers, and consequently, white, Afrikaner, and male. EXECUTIVE POST Following constitutional reforms in 1984 , the office of State President became an executive post, as in the United States , and the office of Prime Minister Of South Africa was abolished. P. W. Botha became the new State President, until his resignation in 1989 , when he was replaced by F. W. De Klerk , who oversaw the transition to majority rule in 1994 . END OF WHITE MINORITY RULE Under South Africa's first non-racial Constitution , adopted in 1994 , the head of state (and of government) was known simply as the President . Nelson Mandela , leader of the African National Congress , was sworn in as President on May 11 , 1994 . LIST OF STATE PRESIDENTS Ceremonial:
Executive: Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki have since served in the new position of President Of South Africa . See also:
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