South Africa Marks 20th Anniversary Speech
Tuesday marks the 20th anniversary of former President FW de Klerk's historic announcement and unbanning of the African National Congress, and other liberation movements, followed by the freeing of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners.
Mandela was released on 11 February 1990, from Victor Vester Prison. Thousands of ANC supporters gathered around the prison to catch a glimpse of him as he walked out of prison, walking side by side with his former wife Winnie Mandela.
Nelson Mandela's release and the unbanning of liberation movements led to South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, in which Nelson Mandela was elected as the country's first democratic President.
Addressing guests at a commemoration meeting in Cape Town's Civic Centre, former President FW De Klerk says historians regard the beginning of February 1990, as the watershed of South Africa's modern history.
[De Klerk, Former President]:
"There were many events that opened the way to that speech which we delivered on the 2nd of February 1990. However, the nine days between it and the release of Mr Nelson Mandela on 11th February, changed South Africa forever."
Leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said he was very excited and could not believe the announcement at the time.
[Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Inkatha Freedom Party]:
"I had rallies for him, you know, we exchanged letters. If you read the book, "A prisoner in the garden", you would see the letters we exchanged. I'm very close, even socially with him (Nelson Mandela)."
Parliament is expected to commemorate Mandela's release on the 11th Feb 2010, which will be marked by a state of the nation address by President Jacob Zuma.
Mandela was released on 11 February 1990, from Victor Vester Prison. Thousands of ANC supporters gathered around the prison to catch a glimpse of him as he walked out of prison, walking side by side with his former wife Winnie Mandela.
Nelson Mandela's release and the unbanning of liberation movements led to South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, in which Nelson Mandela was elected as the country's first democratic President.
Addressing guests at a commemoration meeting in Cape Town's Civic Centre, former President FW De Klerk says historians regard the beginning of February 1990, as the watershed of South Africa's modern history.
[De Klerk, Former President]:
"There were many events that opened the way to that speech which we delivered on the 2nd of February 1990. However, the nine days between it and the release of Mr Nelson Mandela on 11th February, changed South Africa forever."
Leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said he was very excited and could not believe the announcement at the time.
[Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Inkatha Freedom Party]:
"I had rallies for him, you know, we exchanged letters. If you read the book, "A prisoner in the garden", you would see the letters we exchanged. I'm very close, even socially with him (Nelson Mandela)."
Parliament is expected to commemorate Mandela's release on the 11th Feb 2010, which will be marked by a state of the nation address by President Jacob Zuma.
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