Kaya 959 News
Today marks 31 years since Nelson Mandela’s request to be released from prison was granted.
On this day 1990 South African President FW de Klerk released Tata Mandela from a 27 year prison sentence amid growing domestic and international pressure.
The apartheid government attempted to negotiate the release of Mandela before, but always with conditions.
One of the conditions was that he publicly tell his followers to end violence in the country .
Arrested in 1962, Mandela was convicted in 1964 for conspiring to overthrow the state.
The decision to release Mandela and later other political activists, paved the way for the birth of a Democratic South Africa.
De Klerk also abolished restrictions on free political activity, freedom of association, and legalised organisations that were banned.