36 years since former President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison

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Camray Clarke

11 February 2026 | 12:51

Mandela was released from the then Victor Verster Prison in 1990 after 27 years behind bars.

36 years since former President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison

Anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela (C, L) and his wife anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie raise fists upon Mandela's release from Victor Verster prison on February 11, 1990 in Paarl. AFP PHOTO ALEXANDER JOE (Photo by Alexander JOE / AFP)

Today marks 36 years since former President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.

Mandela was released from the then Victor Verster Prison in 1990 after 27 years behind bars.

His release signalled a pivotal shift in the country’s political and democratic trajectory.

At approximately 4:14pm, Nelson Mandela walked free from what is today the Drakenstein Correctional Centre.

He travelled from the Paarl facility to the Grand Parade in Cape Town, where the world would see his face for the first time in 27 years.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was present, holding a microphone as Madiba raised his fist and chanted: “Amandla!”

“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.”

Madiba exited through the back of City Hall and was whisked away from a crowd estimated at 100,000 people in a motorcade that slowly made its way through a sea of supporters.

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