In Pictures

In Pictures: 30 years since Nelson Mandela became a free man

Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison for fighting against the South Africa’s discriminatory apartheid system.

Mandela is accompanied by his then-wife Winnie, moments after his release from prison. [Reuters]

11 Feb 2020

On Sunday afternoon, February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Verster Prison, now known as the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, flanked by his wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his right hand raised and fist clenched.

Excited supporters were held back by police while trying to get a glimpse of their just-freed leader who had spent 27 years in prison for fighting against the country’s discriminatory apartheid system of racial segregation.

Having guided the country through a dramatic transition that marked the end of apartheid, Mandela in 1994 became South Africa‘s first black president.

The inspirational and globally revered leader stepped down after serving one term as head of state and officially retired from public life in 2004. He died aged 95 on December 5, 2013.

From left, anti-apartheid leaders Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Albertina Sisulu. [Susan Winters Cook/Getty Images]

Nelson Mandela in Soweto two days after his release from prison. He addressed more than 100,000 people inside a football stadium. 'During the past 27 years I have looked forward to this day when I would come back to the area I regard as home, to meet my brothers and sisters and grandchildren.' [Joanne Rathe/The Boston Globe via Getty Images]

Winnie Mandela, African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela and General Secretary Walter Sisulu attend a rally in Soweto. [Georges De Keerle/Getty Images]

Nelson Mandela at home in Soweto, five days after his release from Victor Verster Prison. [Georges De Keerle/Getty Images]

Nelson Mandela meets with members of the Kennedy family in Boston during a 1990 tour of the United States. [David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images]

Nelson Mandela meets with the Reverend Jesse Jackson during a reception for Mandela on Sunday, April 15, 1990 in London. Mandela was in London to attend a concert in his honour at Wembley Stadium. The last visit to the United Kingdom by Mandela was in 1962. [Gill Allen/AP Photo]

Nelson Mandela arrives at a Sonke Festival campaign rally for the April 1994 presidential elections. Having guided the country through a dramatic transition that marked the end of apartheid, Mandela in 1994 became South Africa's first black president. [Juda Ngwenya/Reuters]