Nelson Mandela was released from prison on 11 February 1990 after spending 27 years behind bars under South Africa’s apartheid government. He walked out of Victor Verster Prison, near Paarl in the Western Cape, accompanied by his then wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
His release followed an announcement by State President FW de Klerk on 2 February 1990 that the African National Congress (ANC) and other political organisations would be unbanned. Mandela’s freedom marked an important development in the process that led to negotiations between the apartheid government and the liberation movements.
After leaving the prison, Mandela travelled to Cape Town, where he addressed thousands of supporters from the balcony of the City Hall. His release brought an end to his imprisonment and marked his return to public political activity.
Key facts
- Date: 11 February 1990.
- Place: Victor Verster Prison, near Paarl, Western Cape.
- Main people involved: Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and State President FW de Klerk.
- Organisation involved: The African National Congress (ANC).
- What happened: Mandela was released after 27 years in prison.
- Public address: Mandela spoke to supporters from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall on the same day.
- Outcome: Mandela returned to political activity, and negotiations towards ending apartheid subsequently began.
Why was Nelson Mandela in prison for 27 years?
Mandela’s imprisonment was connected to his involvement in the struggle against apartheid and his leadership role in the ANC.
In 1962, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for offences including leaving the country without permission and encouraging a strike. While serving that sentence, he was prosecuted in the Rivonia Trial alongside other anti-apartheid activists.
On 12 June 1964, Mandela and several other accused were sentenced to life imprisonment. He was sent to Robben Island, where he spent most of his imprisonment.
His time in prison was divided between several institutions:
- 1964–1982: Mandela spent 18 years on Robben Island.
- 1982: He was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.
- 1988: Following treatment for tuberculosis, he was moved to Victor Verster Prison near Paarl.
- 1988–1990: He spent the final 14 months of his imprisonment at Victor Verster.
According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and South African historical records, his transfer to Victor Verster took place in December 1988. He was accommodated in a cottage on the prison grounds rather than in the communal prison cells.
These transfers took place while the apartheid government faced growing pressure to address the country’s political conflict and consider negotiations with anti-apartheid organisations.
How did the government prepare for Mandela’s release?
Negotiations between the apartheid government and the ANC had developed over several years before Mandela’s release.
During the 1980s, South Africa experienced increasing political unrest. The government also faced international pressure, while discussions involving representatives of the National Party and the ANC took place both inside and outside the country.
In January 1985, then State President PW Botha announced that Mandela could be released if he renounced the armed struggle. Mandela rejected the conditions, arguing that his freedom could not be separated from the freedom of the people and the legal recognition of the ANC.
Discussions continued after FW de Klerk became president in August 1989. De Klerk met Mandela in prison in December 1989, and the two continued discussions about his release.
2 February 1990: ANC unbanned
During his opening address to Parliament on 2 February 1990, De Klerk announced that the government would lift the ban on the ANC, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and other political organisations.
The announcement also included measures affecting political prisoners and restrictions on political activity. It opened the way for previously banned organisations to operate legally in South Africa again.
10 February 1990: Release date announced
On 10 February, De Klerk announced at a press conference that Mandela would be released the following afternoon at approximately 3pm.
The announcement followed a meeting between the two men in Cape Town. Mandela had initially been told that he would be released in Johannesburg, but he objected to that arrangement.
According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela wanted to walk out through the gates of Victor Verster Prison, where he had spent the final 14 months of his imprisonment. He also requested seven days to allow ANC supporters to prepare for his release, but the government refused to postpone it.
The government agreed to release him at Victor Verster instead.
What happened when Nelson Mandela walked free?
On Sunday, 11 February 1990, Mandela left Victor Verster Prison near Paarl. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela accompanied him as crowds gathered to witness his release.
Mandela was initially driven towards the main prison entrance before getting out of the vehicle and walking towards the gate.
The images of the couple leaving the prison were broadcast and circulated internationally. Mandela had spent 27 years in prison, and his release brought him back into public life after decades of confinement.
After leaving Victor Verster, Mandela travelled to Cape Town’s city centre, where thousands of supporters had gathered on the Grand Parade.
He addressed the crowd from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall. It was his first major public address following his release.
South African History Online records that Mandela began his address with the words: “I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all.”
Mandela spent his first night of freedom at Bishopscourt, the official residence of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was among those who welcomed him.
What was the significance of Mandela’s release?
Mandela’s release took place during a period of major political changes in South Africa.
The unbanning of the ANC and other organisations on 2 February 1990, followed by Mandela’s release nine days later, created conditions for formal political negotiations.
His return to political activity also allowed him to engage directly with the ANC’s leadership and supporters after years in prison.
The release did not immediately end apartheid. Negotiations between the ANC and the National Party government continued, with political violence and disagreements remaining part of the transition process.
In March 1990, Mandela travelled to Lusaka, Zambia, to meet the ANC’s executive leadership. He was elected ANC Deputy President on 2 March 1990.
What happened next?
- 11 February 1990: Mandela addresses supporters from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall and spends his first night of freedom at Bishopscourt.
- 12 February 1990: He holds a press conference at Bishopscourt before travelling to Johannesburg.
- 13 February 1990: Mandela attends a welcome-home rally at FNB Stadium in Soweto and returns to his family home in Orlando West.
- 2 March 1990: The ANC elects Mandela as its Deputy President.
- May 1990: The ANC and National Party begin formal negotiations towards a new political settlement.
- 10 December 1993: Mandela and FW de Klerk receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
- 27 April 1994: South Africa holds its first democratic general election, in which Mandela votes for the first time.
- 9 May 1994: Parliament elects Mandela as the country’s first democratically elected president.
- 10 May 1994: Mandela is inaugurated as President of South Africa.
Why it matters
Nelson Mandela’s release on 11 February 1990 ended his 27-year imprisonment and allowed him to return to public political activity. Together with the unbanning of the ANC and other political organisations, it helped establish the conditions for negotiations that led to South Africa’s first democratic elections in April 1994.
Frequently asked questions
When was Nelson Mandela released from prison?
Nelson Mandela was released on 11 February 1990. He left Victor Verster Prison near Paarl in the Western Cape.
How long was Nelson Mandela in prison?
Mandela spent 27 years in prison. His imprisonment included periods at Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison.
Where was Nelson Mandela released?
He was released from Victor Verster Prison near Paarl, in the Western Cape. The prison is now known as Drakenstein Correctional Centre.
Who accompanied Nelson Mandela when he was released?
His then wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, accompanied him as he walked out of the prison gates on 11 February 1990.
Who was South Africa’s president when Mandela was released?
FW de Klerk was South Africa’s State President. He announced Mandela’s release at a press conference on 10 February 1990.
What did Nelson Mandela do after his release?
Mandela addressed supporters from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall on 11 February. He subsequently travelled to Johannesburg, attended a welcome-home rally in Soweto and resumed his political work with the ANC.
When did Nelson Mandela become president of South Africa?
Parliament elected Mandela as president on 9 May 1994. He was inaugurated on 10 May 1994, following the country’s first democratic general election on 27 April.
Sources and further reading
- South African History Online – Nelson Mandela Released from Prison, 11 February 1990: https://sahistory.org.za/content/nelson-mandela-released-prison-11-february-1990
- Nelson Mandela Foundation – Trials and Prisons Chronology: https://www.nelsonmandela.org/trials-and-prison-chronology
- Nelson Mandela Foundation – 10 February 1990: The World Held Its Breath in Anticipation as Mandela’s Release Was Announced: https://www.nelsonmandela.org/news/entry/10-february-1990-the-world-held-its-breath-in-anticipation-as-mandela-relea
- SABC News – Today Marks the 25 Year Anniversary of Madiba’s Release: https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/today-marks-the-25-year-anniversary-of-madibas-release/
- South African History Online – Negotiations and the Transition: https://sahistory.org.za/article/negotiations-and-transition
- SAnews – Nelson Mandela Chronology: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/nelson-mandela-chronology
- South African History Online – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: https://sahistory.org.za/people/nelson-rolihlahla-mandela
UNCERTAIN OR UNCONFIRMED
- Exact duration of imprisonment: Sources generally describe Mandela’s imprisonment as 27 years, although the Nelson Mandela Foundation also describes it as more than 27 years.
- Date of transfer to Victor Verster: The Nelson Mandela Foundation records 7 December 1988, while South African History Online gives 9 December 1988. December 1988 is used without specifying a day.
- Number of people at the City Hall address: Estimates differ. The article uses “thousands” rather than presenting an exact attendance figure.
