Mandela released

On 11 February 1990 Nelson Mandela, leader of the ANC, was released after 27 years in prison

Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-12-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela was imprisoned by the apartheid government for 27 years.  When the day of his release came it was barely believable for so many. Like D-Day in World War II, it marked the turning point in the history of the liberation struggle in South Africa. Although there was still much work to be done to see the nation free, the war had been won. V-Day was inevitable.

Release Mandela, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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ANC supporters celebrating Mandela's release from prison, Graeme Williams/South Photographs, Soweto, 1990-02-11, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Those who had struggled were waiting...

ANC supporters outside Victor Verster prison, Paul Grendon, 1990-02-11, Original Source: Paul Grendon / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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The press was waiting...

Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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The police were waiting...

Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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Mandela's release, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Paul Grendon / South Photos
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South Africa was waiting

Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Paul Grendon / South Photos
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Mandela release, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Paul Grendon / South Photos
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Nelson Mandela released from prison, 1990-11-02, Original Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos
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The long awaited moment

Credits: Story

Photographer—Graeme Williams / South Photographs

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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