Netherlands–South Africa relations South African nationals visiting the Netherlands. In February 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving 27 years. In June 1990, Nelson Mandela paid his first visit to the Netherlands. In October 1990, South African President F. W. de Klerk paid a visit to the Netherlands. Apartheid legislation was abolished in mid-1991 and on 27 April 1994, South Africa held its first fully democratic election and Nelson Mandela was elected as President. In September 1996, Dutch Queen Beatrix paid an official visit to South Africa and met with President Mandela. In 1999, President Mandela paid an official visit to
Women's tennis in South Africa peers. Women's tennis was being played in South Africa by 1928, when a women's tennis team from Australia visited the country. In 1963, South Africa began competing in the Fed Cup (Federation Cup) when the competition was inaugurated. The country was banned from playing in 1971, but this ban was lifted in 1972, and the International Tennis Federation moved South Africa to the Latin American region to avoid regional conflicts over its participation. South Africa won the event in 1972, when it was held in Johannesburg. However, later that year, the country was banned from competing. This ban remained in