Relive Nelson Mandela's first steps as a free man in a new South Africa, followed by his speech to thousands of supporters at Orlando Stadium two days later.
A Release Nelson Mandela poster issued by the Anti-Apartheid Movement. (Wits University library, Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
A crowd makes its way towards the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on February 12 1990, where people are waiting for Nelson Mandela to arrive following his release from prison the previous day. (John Parkin, AP)
Crowds pack Soweto's Orlando Stadium on February 12 1990, with people holding a placard announcing the arrival of released ANC leader Nelson Mandela. (John Parkin, AP)
Mandela and his wife, Winnie, salute well-wishers on February 11 1990 as he leaves Victor Verster prison after 27 years incarcerated under the apartheid Nationlist government. (Reuters)
Nelson Mandela is led by his wife, Winnie, who gives a black power salute, after his release from Victor Verster prison in Cape Town on February 11 1990. (Greg English, AP)
Nelson Mandela is led by his wife, Winnie, who gives a black power salute, after his release from Victor Verster prison on February 11 1990. (Greg English, AP)
Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela salute the crowd as they enter Soweto's Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. About 120 000 people packed the venue to hear Mandela speak following his release. (Udo Weitz, AP)
A balloon bearing a welcome sign for Nelson Mandela is seen above Soweto's Soccer City stadium, where the recently released ANC leader addressed a crowd of about 120 000 people on February 13 1990. (Sean Woods, AP)
Jubilant supporters celebrate on February 11 1990 in Bonteheuwel, Cape Town, following the release of ANC leader Nelson Mandela. (Adil Bradlow, AP)
ANC supporters in Alexandra, Johannesburg, cheer during an address by Winnie Mandela on February 3 1990, following former South African president FW de Klerk's unbanning of the ANC. (Juda Ngwenya, Reuters)
Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie, give the clenched-fist victory sign as they walk hand in hand into Soccer City on February 13 1990 to attend a welcome rally for Mandela. (Herbert Knosowski, Reuters)
A jovial Nelson Mandela takes his seat in Soccer City on February 13 1990 before addressing a crowd of 120 000 people who packed the venue to hear him speak. (AP)
(AP)
Nelson Mandela, flanked by his wife, Winnie, and Walter Sisulu, sing Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at Soccer City on February 13 1990. About 120 000 ANC supporters packed the stadium to hear their leader's first public speech in 27 years. (Udo Weitz, AP)
Nelson Mandela salutes the crowd at Soccer City stadium in Soweto. (AP)
(AP)
Nelson Mandela waves to acknowledge cheers from thousands of people during a rally at Osaka's Ogishima Park in Western Japan on October 28 1990. (Itsuo Inouye, AP)
A smiling Nelson Mandela gives a black power salute at Archbishop Desmond Tutu's residence in Cape Townon February 12 1990. (Adil Bradlow, AP)
(Adil Bradlow, AP)
Nelson Mandela raises his fist as he addresses the crowd in Port Elizabeth on April 1 1990. (Juda Ngwenya, Reuters)
Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie, salute a crowd of 100 000 supporters on February 25 1990 at Durban's King Park Stadium. (AP)
Nelson Mandela and former Kenyan president Daniel Arap Moi wave to the crowd at a public rally for the African National Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 13 1990. (AP)
ANC president Oliver Tambo (front waving), accompanied by ANC deputy president Nelson Mandela (front left), greet the crowds in Johannesburg on December 16 1990 to welcome Tambo back to South Africa after his return from 30 years in exile. (John Parkin, AP)
Nelson Mandela is hugged by an unidentified supporter as he arrives at Washington's national airport on June 241990 as part of his world tour following his release. (Doug Mills, AP)
