February 11, 1990: Nelson Mandela released after 27 years in prison

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years in prison. With his fist raised and his wife's hand in front of the crowd, the leader pledged to establish in his country a government of majority and rights for all.

The release of Mandela by the government of President Frederik de Klerk was one of the most important events of the time. His release marked the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa.

Since 1948, the country's white minority built a series of laws to stay in power, imposing strong racial segregation and discrimination on the population. Therefore, Mandela's freedom represented a great step in ending this injustice.

Mandela became a symbol of the struggles for the rights of the black population. A little more than four years after his release, in 1994 he was elected president in the first multiracial elections in South Africa, where his party won more than 60% of the votes.

However, Mandela's mandate was one of national unity that promoted the new constitution of South Africa and combated the inequalities affecting the country.

Mazo News Team