Nelson Mandelas Release - 11 February 1990

by PM Wood
(Cape Town)

This collage is the first in a series of photos I took of the Grand Parade outside City Hall (Darling Street, Cape Town, South Africa) on February 11, 1990.

The atmosphere was electric - remember, Madiba was and is the most famous person in South Africa, and at this time he had not appeared in public in more than 27 years!

Look at the crowds thronging the area!
All waiting for Nelson Mandela to arrive and address them after being released from Victor Verster prison in Paarl.

Look at the statue, 'holding' the ANC colours!
I know - it's black and white, but I remember it green and gold :)

Look at the guy perched on the robot!
(that's a traffic light for foreign readers).

What a day in the history of SA.