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Mandela's 1990 release remembered Mandela's 1990 release remembered
(about 2 hours later)
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. In Cape Town, prominent figures took part in a commemorative walk 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.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. Mr Mandela 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 VIDEO: Mass rally at stadium
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. 'Gratitude'
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". Thursday's re-enactment walk went through the gates of Victor Verster prison, now known as Drakenstein prison, where a statue of Mr Mandela stands with its hand upraised.
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. AT THE SCENE Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Cape Town
International pressure Hundreds of people wearing yellow T-shirts bearing Nelson Mandela's image retraced his final walk to freedom after 27 years in captivity, singing songs about the former president.
During his years in prison he became an international symbol of resistance to apartheid. Led by several ANC leaders who spent time in Robben Island prison with Mr Mandela, they marched from the cottage in Victor Verster prison, now known as Drakenstein Prison, where he spent his final months.
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. They walked through the jail gates and then around the grounds, where there is now a statue of the prison's most famous former inmate.
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. As they passed the statue, many raised their fists - recreating the image which has come to symbolise the end of white minority rule in South Africa after years of bitter struggle, led by Mr Mandela.
"If you cast your mind to 20 years ago, could we ever have imagined that we would be where we are today. Cyril Ramaphosa, who was among the veterans of the anti-apartheid struggle taking part in the commemorative walk, recalled Mr Mandela's crucial role.
"Not many of us could have imagined this. "We are celebrating a life that has been lived in service of our people," he said.
"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." "He knew he needed to continue living for the people that were outside. Without the struggle of our people, Madiba would have never been released," he added, using Mr Mandela's clan name.
Mr Mandela's former wife, Winnnie Mandela, had been due to lead the walk, but a spokesman said on Thursday morning that she would not be appearing because it would have been "too painful".
Poppy Shabalala, a 65-year-old local resident, said she had turned out to celebrate Mr Mandela's legacy.
"He did the unthinkable," she said. "Mandela united black and white people and ended apartheid. I am here today to show my gratitude for what he did."
'Good solution''Good solution'
Mr Mandela was not taking part in the walk, but he is expected to attend a state of the nation address by South African President Jacob Zuma later.
If we really want to make a difference we must recapture the spirit of that day Archbishop Desmond Tutu Audio slideshow: Freedom walk My feelings as Mandela was freed The moment that changed S Africa Readers' memories Mandela's life and times Video: Mass rally at stadium
"We are trying to ensure that he gets a lot of rest during the day so he could be fresh and energetic in the evening to attend parliament," said his grandson, Mandla Mandela.
Mr Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for plotting to overthrow the government by violence.
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 freed him, at the same time lifting the ban against the anti-apartheid African National Congress (ANC).
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. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, another key player in the fight against apartheid, said the day of Mr Mandela's release was "a day that promised the beginning of the end of indignity".
But he added that while much had been achieved, more remained to be done.
"If we really want to make a difference we must recapture the spirit of that day of Nelson Mandela's release," he said.
In 1991 Mr Mandela became the ANC's leader. He was president of South Africa from 1994 until 1999, when he stood down - one of the few African leaders at the time to voluntarily give up power.
BBC One news bulletin from 11 February 1990