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Mandela's 1990 release remembered | Mandela's 1990 release remembered |
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Celebrations are being held to mark 20 years since the release from prison of Nelson Mandela, a key step towards ending apartheid in South Africa. | Celebrations are being held to mark 20 years since the release from prison of Nelson Mandela, a key step towards ending apartheid in South Africa. |
In Cape Town, prominent figures took part in a commemorative march from the prison where he spent the final months of his 27-year imprisonment. | |
Mr Mandela, now a frail 91-year-old, is expected to make a rare public appearance on Thursday evening. | |
He became the country's first black president in 1994. | He became the country's first black president in 1994. |
He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. | He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. |
He spent most of his sentence in Robben Island prison, off the coast of Cape Town, and later in Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland. | He spent most of his sentence in Robben Island prison, off the coast of Cape Town, and later in Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland. |
If you cast your mind to 20 years ago, could we ever have imagined that we would be where we are today Cyril Ramaphosa Audio slideshow: Freedom walk My feelings as Mandela was freed The moment that changed S Africa Readers' memories Mandela's life and times | If you cast your mind to 20 years ago, could we ever have imagined that we would be where we are today Cyril Ramaphosa Audio slideshow: Freedom walk My feelings as Mandela was freed The moment that changed S Africa Readers' memories Mandela's life and times |
Before his release, he lived in a cottage in the grounds of Victor Verster prison in a rural area some 50km (31 miles) from Cape Town, with his own cook. | Before his release, he lived in a cottage in the grounds of Victor Verster prison in a rural area some 50km (31 miles) from Cape Town, with his own cook. |
Thursday's re-enactment walk was from Victor Verster prison, now known as Drakenstein Prison, where a statue of Mr Mandela stands with its hand upraised. | |
His former wife, Winnnie Mandela, had been due to lead the march, but a spokesman said on Thursday morning that she would not be appearing because it would have been "too painful". | |
Mr Mandela was not taking part, but he is expected to attend a state of the nation address by South African President Jacob Zuma later. | |
International pressure | International pressure |
During his years in prison he became an international symbol of resistance to apartheid. | During his years in prison he became an international symbol of resistance to apartheid. |
In 1990, the South African government responded to internal and international pressure and released Mr Mandela, at the same time lifting the ban against the ANC. | In 1990, the South African government responded to internal and international pressure and released Mr Mandela, at the same time lifting the ban against the ANC. |
Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the committee that had to protect Mr Mandela in the days after his release, said the country had undergone enormous changes in the last two decades. | Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the committee that had to protect Mr Mandela in the days after his release, said the country had undergone enormous changes in the last two decades. |
"If you cast your mind to 20 years ago, could we ever have imagined that we would be where we are today. | "If you cast your mind to 20 years ago, could we ever have imagined that we would be where we are today. |
"Not many of us could have imagined this. | "Not many of us could have imagined this. |
"We possibly do remember where each one of us was when Nelson Mandela walked free, but I don't think many of us could ever have imagined that we would be living in a South Africa that resembles what it is today." | "We possibly do remember where each one of us was when Nelson Mandela walked free, but I don't think many of us could ever have imagined that we would be living in a South Africa that resembles what it is today." |
'Good solution' | 'Good solution' |
Christo Brand, the former prison warden assigned to guard Mr Mandela, said of events 20 years ago: "I hoped there would be no bloodshed. There was no bloodshed. Everything worked out perfectly. | Christo Brand, the former prison warden assigned to guard Mr Mandela, said of events 20 years ago: "I hoped there would be no bloodshed. There was no bloodshed. Everything worked out perfectly. |
"And I know the way Mandela does negotiations, he was really thinking of the other side, too. | "And I know the way Mandela does negotiations, he was really thinking of the other side, too. |
"He not only thinks of the black people of the country, but thinking also of the whites and studying and feeling the fears of the whites in this country. | "He not only thinks of the black people of the country, but thinking also of the whites and studying and feeling the fears of the whites in this country. |
"And I think through that fear, he came up and thought of a good solution for South Africa." | "And I think through that fear, he came up and thought of a good solution for South Africa." |
In 1991 Mr Mandela became the ANC's leader, and was president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. | In 1991 Mr Mandela became the ANC's leader, and was president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. |