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| Mandela dinner marks 1990 release | Mandela dinner marks 1990 release |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Nelson Mandela has celebrated the 20th anniversary of his release from prison with a special dinner, inviting ex-wife Winnie and one of his former jailers. | Nelson Mandela has celebrated the 20th anniversary of his release from prison with a special dinner, inviting ex-wife Winnie and one of his former jailers. |
| Mr Mandela, who became South Africa's first black president, was freed from Robben Island jail on 11 February 1990 after a prison sentence of 27 years. | Mr Mandela, who became South Africa's first black president, was freed from Robben Island jail on 11 February 1990 after a prison sentence of 27 years. |
| Mr Mandela has said he developed a friendship with warder Christo Brand that cemented his views of humanity. | Mr Mandela has said he developed a friendship with warder Christo Brand that cemented his views of humanity. |
| The Nobel Prize winner, 91, was also joined by children and grandchildren. | The Nobel Prize winner, 91, was also joined by children and grandchildren. |
| 'Inspiration' | 'Inspiration' |
| Mr Mandela's daughter, Zindzi, and a number of anti-apartheid activists who were there when he walked free, also attended the small gathering on Thursday night. | Mr Mandela's daughter, Zindzi, and a number of anti-apartheid activists who were there when he walked free, also attended the small gathering on Thursday night. |
| Time is flying Nelson Mandela 'Rugby unity': Fact and fiction | |
| Zindzi Mandela filmed the dinner for a documentary called Conversations About That Day, which will be shown on the anniversary next week. | Zindzi Mandela filmed the dinner for a documentary called Conversations About That Day, which will be shown on the anniversary next week. |
| Key anti-apartheid politician Cyril Ramaphosa toasted Mr Mandela as "tata" or father. | Key anti-apartheid politician Cyril Ramaphosa toasted Mr Mandela as "tata" or father. |
| He said: "You are still an inspiration. We are forever indebted to you, for the leadership and inspiration you provided. We are happy you are a free man, because as you became free, you made us free." | He said: "You are still an inspiration. We are forever indebted to you, for the leadership and inspiration you provided. We are happy you are a free man, because as you became free, you made us free." |
| Mr Mandela said of his friendship with Mr Brand that it "reinforced my belief in the essential humanity of even those who had kept me behind bars". | Mr Mandela said of his friendship with Mr Brand that it "reinforced my belief in the essential humanity of even those who had kept me behind bars". |
| He said he still did some exercise, but added: "I do feel like I am getting old. Time is flying. I'm not really worried." | He said he still did some exercise, but added: "I do feel like I am getting old. Time is flying. I'm not really worried." |
| South Africa's parliament will open next Thursday on the exact date of the anniversary. | South Africa's parliament will open next Thursday on the exact date of the anniversary. |
| Also coinciding with the anniversary is the release in the UK of the film Invictus, which draws on Mr Mandela's efforts to unite South Africa in the run-up to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. | Also coinciding with the anniversary is the release in the UK of the film Invictus, which draws on Mr Mandela's efforts to unite South Africa in the run-up to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. |