President: Nelson Mandela
Deputy President: Thabo Mbeki
February
4 – The Constitution of South Africa came into effect.
March
19 – Denel and Aérospatiale sign a co-operation agreement.
28 – Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa and H. D. Deve Gowda, Prime Minister of India sign the Red Fort Declaration on a Strategic Partnership while Mandela is on a state visit to India.
April
23 – Eugène Terre'Blanche, Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader, is convicted of attempted murder and assault in the Magistrates Court in Potchefstroom.
26 – Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is re-elected as president of the African National Congress’s Women's League by 656 votes to 114.
August
Dirk Coetzee, David Tshikalange and Butana Almond Nofomela, former members of the Vlakplaas counter-insurgency unit, are granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in respect of the murder of Durban attorney Griffiths Mxenge in November 1981.
October
10 – A shortened combined version of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem van Suid-Afrika becomes the official National Anthem
30 – The South African National Defence Force announces that it had completed destroying its stock pile of anti-personnel mines
South Africa and India sign the terms of reference of the India-South Africa Commercial Alliance and agreements in tourism, geology and mineral resources. The science and technology co-operation program is ratified.
December
16–20 – The African National Congress holds its 50th National Conference in Mafikeng.
Unknown Date
Cabinet and parliamentary approval is announced by Thabo Mbeki of the Defence Review which enables the South African National Defence Force to undertake tenders for R12bn worth of arms equipment.
23 February – Thabiso Moqhali from Lesotho wins the South African title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:15:31 in Pinelands.
1997 in South Africa Wikipedia (Text) CC BY-SA
