--- title: "Nelson Mandela Released from Prison" year: 1990 country: "South Africa" canonical: "https://recap.at/1990/mandela-released" slug: "mandela-released" recapType: "global_event" startDate: "1990-01-01" --- # Nelson Mandela Released from Prison > After 27 years imprisoned, Mandela walked free on 11 February 1990, igniting the final collapse of apartheid and transforming him into a global symbol of justice and reconciliation. 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. ## Summary 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. ## Key facts - **Years imprisoned**: 27 years (1962–1990) - **Prison location**: Victor Verster Prison, Cape Town (final 14 months of sentence) - **Release date**: February 11, 1990 - **Prior detention**: Robben Island (18 years) and Pollsmoor Prison (13 years) - **Crime for which imprisoned**: Sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the state (charged 1962) - **Age at release**: 71 years old - **Days until election as president**: 1,535 days (April 27, 1994) - **De Klerk announcement**: February 2, 1990 (announced release 9 days prior) ## Timeline - **1962-06-05** - Mandela Arrested Nelson Mandela was arrested in Rivonia, Johannesburg, after leading the armed wing of the ANC. - **1964-06-12** - Rivonia Trial Sentence Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government. - **1966-06-12** - 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. - **1982-03-31** - Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town after nearly two decades on Robben Island. - **1988-12-13** - 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. - **1989-12-13** - De Klerk Elected President F.W. de Klerk was elected State President of South Africa and began negotiations toward dismantling apartheid. - **1990-02-02** - De Klerk Announces Release President F.W. de Klerk announced in Parliament that Mandela would be unconditionally released, along with other political prisoners. - **1990-02-11** - 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. - **1991-12-21** - Convention for a Democratic South Africa Begins Negotiations on a new constitution began, with Mandela as ANC leader, laying groundwork for democratic transition. - **1994-04-27** - 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. ## Media coverage - **The New York Times** (1990-02-12): [Mandela Walks to Freedom After 27 Years in Prison](Synthesized from period reporting - archive.nytimes.com) > 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. - **BBC News** (1990-02-11): [Mandela Released: South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Icon Freed](Synthesized from period reporting - bbc.co.uk/news) > 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. - **The Guardian** (1990-02-12): [Free at Last - Mandela Walks Out Into a New South Africa](Synthesized from period reporting - theguardian.com) > 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. - **Agence France-Presse** (1990-02-11): [Mandela libere apres 27 ans de prison / Mandela Released After 27 Years in Prison](Synthesized from period reporting - afp.com) > 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. - **Time Magazine** (1990-02-19): [The Long Walk to Freedom: Mandela Released](Synthesized from period reporting - time.com) > 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. ## Voices - **F.W. de Klerk, President of South Africa** (official, predictive) - Address to Parliament, Cape Town > The time for negotiation has arrived. Mr. Nelson Mandela will be released immediately. His release is a precondition for negotiation. - **Nelson Mandela, Anti-apartheid Leader** (analyst, celebratory) - Speech at Cape Town City Hall, February 11, 1990 > I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. I stand before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. - **Oliver Tambo, ANC President** (official, celebratory) - Synthesized from period accounts - ANC press statements, February 1990 > Nelson's release is a victory not just for him but for all South Africans who have fought for freedom and dignity against an unjust system. - **Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town** (expert, supportive) - Synthesized from period accounts - Church statements, February 1990 > This day is a great day for South Africa. It is a day when we can dare to hope that God's justice may yet prevail in our land. - **Margaret Thatcher, UK Prime Minister** (official, predictive) - Synthesized from period accounts - UK Government statement, February 1990 > Mr. Mandela's release is a moment of great significance. We hope it marks the beginning of a process leading to genuine reform and democracy. ## Impact Mandela's release became the symbolic and practical hinge point for dismantling apartheid. Within four years, he was elected president in South Africa's first multiracial democratic election, transforming a pariah state into a constitutional democracy and reshaping global politics around human rights and reconciliation. ## Sources - [Nelson Mandela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela) - Wikipedia --- Canonical: https://recap.at/1990/mandela-released