11 FEB 1990 – Nelson Mandela released from Prison

On this day (11 Feb. 1990) the first democratically elected South African president and founder of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Mr. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after being jailed for 27 years by the Apartheid government. His humble nature and selflessness are revealed in the opening of his first speech made hours after being released.

“Friends, comrades and fellow South Africans.
I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all.
I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.
On this day of my release, I extend my sincere and warmest gratitude to the millions of my compatriots and those in every corner of the globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my release.”
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Four years after his release a ‘new’ democratic South Africa we enjoy today was born.