In short
On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison near Cape Town after spending 27 years in detention for his resistance to South Africa's apartheid regime. His release, ordered by President F.W. de Klerk, marked the beginning of the end for institutionalized racial segregation and set South Africa on a path toward democratic transformation.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist, statesman, and revolutionary who was the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first Black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His administration focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by fostering racial reconciliation, a national peace accord and eventual multiracial democracy. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
As it was happening
20 voices, 11649 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Mandela Arrested
Nelson Mandela was arrested in Rivonia, Johannesburg, after leading the armed wing of the ANC.
Voices from this moment (1)
Mandela Arrested
Jun 5
“Nelson Mandela was arrested in Rivonia, Johannesburg, after…”
As it was happening
20 voices, 11649 days.
Day 0 · June 5, 1962
Mandela Arrested
Nelson Mandela was arrested in Rivonia, Johannesburg, after leading the armed wing of the ANC.
“Nelson Mandela was arrested in Rivonia, Johannesburg, after…”
- Mandela Arrested, Jun 5
Day 738 · June 12, 1964
Rivonia Trial Sentence
Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.
“Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of…”
- Rivonia Trial Sentence, Jun 12
Day 1468 · June 12, 1966
Transfer to Robben Island
Mandela was moved to the notorious Robben Island prison off the coast of Cape Town, where he spent 18 years in harsh conditions.
“Mandela was moved to the notorious Robben Island prison off…”
- Transfer to Robben Island, Jun 12
Day 7239 · March 31, 1982
Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison
Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town after nearly two decades on Robben Island.
“Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town…”
- Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison, Mar 31
Day 9688 · December 13, 1988
Transfer to Victor Verster Prison
Mandela was moved to Victor Verster Prison near Cape Town, a facility with significantly improved conditions compared to previous detentions.
“Mandela was moved to Victor Verster Prison near Cape Town,…”
- Transfer to Victor Verster Prison, Dec 13
Day 10053 · December 13, 1989
De Klerk Elected President
F.W. de Klerk was elected State President of South Africa and began negotiations toward dismantling apartheid.
“F.”
- De Klerk Elected President, Dec 13
Day 10104 · February 2, 1990
De Klerk Announces Release
President F.W. de Klerk announced in Parliament that Mandela would be unconditionally released, along with other political prisoners.
“The time for negotiation has arrived.”
- Address to Parliament, Cape Town, Feb 2
“President F.”
- De Klerk Announces Release, Feb 2
Day 10113 · February 11, 1990
Mandela Released from Prison
Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison after 27 years. He later addressed a crowd of 100,000 supporters at a rally in Cape Town's Grand Parade.
“I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom…”
- Speech at Cape Town City Hall, February 11, 1990, Feb 11
“Nelson's release is a victory not just for him but for all…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - ANC press statements, February 1990, Feb 11
“Mandela Released: South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Icon Freed”
- BBC News, Feb 11
“Mandela libere apres 27 ans de prison / Mandela Released…”
- Agence France-Presse, Feb 11
“Mandela Walks to Freedom After 27 Years in Prison”
- The New York Times, Feb 12
“Free at Last - Mandela Walks Out Into a New South Africa”
- The Guardian, Feb 12
“The Long Walk to Freedom: Mandela Released”
- Time Magazine, Feb 19
“Mr.…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - UK Government statement, February 1990, Feb 12
“This day is a great day for South Africa.”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Church statements, February 1990, Feb 12
“Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison after…”
- Mandela Released from Prison, Feb 11
Day 10791 · December 21, 1991
Convention for a Democratic South Africa Begins
Negotiations on a new constitution began, with Mandela as ANC leader, laying groundwork for democratic transition.
“Negotiations on a new constitution began, with Mandela as…”
- Convention for a Democratic South Africa Begins, Dec 21
Day 11649 · April 27, 1994
Mandela Elected President
Mandela was elected president in South Africa's first democratic election with universal suffrage, becoming the country's first Black head of state.
“Mandela was elected president in South Africa's first…”
- Mandela Elected President, Apr 27
The numbers.
3 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Years imprisoned
0 years (1962–1990)
Age at release
0 years old
Days until election as president
0 days (April 27, 1994)
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The New York Times, BBC News, The Guardian.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
5 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The New York Times
Newspaper · United States · Feb 12, 1990
"Mandela Walks to Freedom After 27 Years in Prison"
Nelson Mandela, the imprisoned leader of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, was released today after spending nearly three decades behind bars. The 71-year-old walked out of Victor Verster Prison near Cape Town to a roaring crowd of supporters and international media.
- Feb 11, 1990
BBC News
TV · United Kingdom
"Mandela Released: South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Icon Freed"
Nelson Mandela has been released from prison in South Africa after 27 years of imprisonment. The veteran anti-apartheid campaigner emerged to embrace supporters outside Victor Verster Prison, marking a historic turning point in the nation's political struggle.
- Feb 12, 1990
The Guardian
Newspaper · United Kingdom
"Free at Last - Mandela Walks Out Into a New South Africa"
After 27 years of confinement, Nelson Mandela stepped into freedom today with the poise and dignity that have defined his resistance to apartheid. His release signals a seismic shift in South African politics and raises hopes for genuine democratic transition.
- Feb 11, 1990
Agence France-Presse
Newspaper · France
"Mandela libere apres 27 ans de prison / Mandela Released After 27 Years in Prison"
FR: 'Nelson Mandela, l'emblematique chef de la lutte contre l'apartheid, a ete libere dimanche apres 27 ans d'emprisonnement.' / EN: Nelson Mandela, the emblematic leader of the fight against apartheid, was released Sunday after 27 years of imprisonment. His emergence marks a watershed moment for South Africa's future.
- Feb 19, 1990
Time Magazine
Magazine · United States
"The Long Walk to Freedom: Mandela Released"
Synthesized from period reporting - Nelson Mandela's release from Victor Verster Prison electrified the world and South Africa itself, ending one of history's most celebrated cases of political imprisonment. The question now is whether his freedom can bridge the chasm of racial division in his nation.
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Nelson Mandela
en.wikipedia.org