The event that marked the end of apartheid in South Africa was the election of Nelson Mandela as president in 1994. Following decades of systemic racial segregation and oppression, Mandela's election represented a monumental victory for the anti-apartheid movement and symbolized hope for a new democratic era. The transition involved complex negotiations, reconciliation efforts, and the dismantling of discriminatory laws. Mandela's leadership and commitment to unity were pivotal in healing a divided nation, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.