On 2 February 1990, State President F.W. de Klerk reversed the ban on the ANC and other anti-apartheid organisations, and announced that Mandela would shortly be released from prison. Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl on 11 February 1990. The event was broadcast live all over the world.
On the day of his release, Mandela made a speech to the nation. He declared his commitment to peace and reconciliation with the country's white minority, but made it clear that the ANC's armed struggle was not yet over:
"Our resort to the armed struggle in 1960 with the formation of the military wing of the ANC (Umkhontowe Sizwe) was a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today. We have no option but to continue. We express the hope that a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement would be created soon, so that there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle."He also said his main focus was to bring peace to the black majority and give them the right to vote in both national and local elections. The Specials - Free Nelson Mandela Uploaded by Lartmement. - Watch more music videos, in HD!  Related links Morgan Freeman as Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela dinner celebrates 20 years of freedomTwenty years of freedomNelson Mandela in rare appearance |
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