Today in History: Nelson Mandela is freed from prison
Mandela’s release has often been seen as the beginning of the new South Africa.
On this day in 1990, Nelson Mandela was unconditionally released from prison after spending a collective 27 years behind bars.
Accompanied by his then wife, Winnie, he left the Victor Verster prison (later renamed Drakenstein Correctional Centre) on the outskirts of Paarl and was driven the 60km to Cape Town by the African National Congress’ (ANC) Rose Sonto, along a route lined by thousands of supporters. On the balcony of the City Hall, he spoke to a crowd of approximately 50 000 people, who had waited for hours to see him.
He started by expressing his sincere and warmest gratitude to the “millions of my compatriots and those in every corner of the globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my release”. Mandela’s release followed the relaxation of apartheid laws – including the unbanning of a number of leading liberation organisations (eg the ANC, SACP, and PAC) by then South African President, FW de Klerk.
In commemoration of his release, people across the country danced joyously in the streets. Unfortunately the revelry also caused some problems, as doctors had to treat over a hundred people as police clashed with youths looting shops in various cities and townships.
In Mdantsane, Ciskei, 10 people were killed when Ciskeian soldiers used force against a group of revellers celebrating the struggle fighter’s release.
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