Release, presidency and beyond
MANDELA RELEASE 11 FEBRUARY 1990

On Sunday 11 February 1990, Mandela walked free at last. He and Winnie walked together through the prison gates while millions of people all around the world watched them on television. Nelson was now seventy-one years old, thin and grayed, but looked much younger. He had spent twenty-seven years in prison, but that had not weakened his spirit one bit. Later that day, Nelson spoke to a huge crowd in Cape Town. He told them that the fight for equal rights would continue. And so it did. When he spoke, Nelson showed that he had not changed his ideas about his people’s fight for freedom 

MANDELA ADDRESSING CROWD IN CAPE TOWN
Immediately after his release, Nelson Mandela later that day, Nelson spoke to a huge crowd in Cape Town. He told them that the fight for equal rights would continue. And so it did. When he spoke, Nelson showed that he had not changed his ideas about his people’s fight for freedom. I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.
MANDELA AND DE KLERK ON NEGOTIATIONS
Nelson began to talk to President de Klerk and his ministers about the new system of government for South Africa, one which would be fair to everybody. Meanwhile, Nelson had become one of the famous people in the world, now that he was free, every one wanted to meet him.
MANDELA VISITED OUTSIDE COUNTRIES
Since Nelson Mandela’s release, he become one of the very famous people in the world. Now that he was free, everyone wanted to meet him. He visited the USA, Britain, France and many other countries asking them to help convince the South African government to change its laws. When he visited England, a pop music concert was held in his honor. More than 70,000 people attended. Nelson gave a speech there that was broadcast to millions of people around the world. 		                            

                                                                        

MANDELA AND F.W. DE KLERK WON NOBEL PRIZE 1993
Two years later after his release, Nelson Mandela tried by all means to negotiate with other political leaders. Eventually Mandela and De Klerk were both praised round the world for averting catastrophe and making peace. So it was not surprising when at the end of 1993, they were proclaimed joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize put Mandela in the tradition of Luthuli and Tutu. The Nobel ceremony took place in Oslo in December 1993. When the two prizewinners appeared on the hotel balcony a crowd of Norwegians gathered below, holding candles according to the tradition. Mandela described the occasion as ‘a milestone for two enemies building a new South Africa.

1994 ELECTION
On 27 April 1994, Nelson Mandela casted his vote for the first time in his life like all black Africans in the first free democratic elections in South African history. He chose to vote in Natal at Ohlange High School nearDurban l, for it was there that John Dube, the first president of African National Congress was buried.

INAUGURATION speeches: JHB, Pretoria(1994).  After the success of ANC.

AFGANISTAN MATTER IN DURBAN

Mandela was proceeded by Motsoko Pheko, the deputy president of Pan African Congress who said ‘ No country in the world has the authority to bypass the UN and fight terrorism with terrorism as the USA and Britain are doing in Afghanistan . The USA government must stop behaving as if the world begins with America and ends with America,"

Mandela provoked the ire of the Muslim community last November, when he vocalised his support for the war against Afghanistan at a Washington press conference held after his meeting with US President George W Bush. In December, he reiterated his support for the war during a speech delivered at Durban's Grey Street mosque, saying Bin Laden should be captured and tried for the attacks. At the time, the former president told the audience that Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network should be smashed and terrorist strongholds destroyed.

Mandela said he would be arranging meetings with Muslim leadership in South Africa soon to personally convey this message to them.

In response to the speech, angry Muslims said no one have a right to label Bin Laden a terrorist when he had not been convicted in a court of law.

The Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa yesterday also welcomed Mandela's statement. Mandela said it had been pointed out to him that unreserved support for the war in Afghanistan, which he had earlier supported, gave the impression that "we are insensitive to and uncaring about the suffering of the Afghan people".

  

FIGHTING POVERTY

On 23rd of April 2002 Nelson Mandela has urged all South Africans to play a role in fighting poverty. The former president says there is nothing more insulting to human dignity than being poor and not knowing where your next meal will come from.

He was speaking at the handing over ceremony of another of his projects- the rebuilt Malanga Primary School near Empangeni on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. Today, was his second visit to the north coast in as many months on a similar mission.

The last was the opening of the renovated Catherine Booth Hospital not far away from the school. Mandela said he would not rest while people were still starving and said the situation should be cause for concern to every citizen. "I don't build for the ANC/IFP/PAC/AZAPO. I am concerned with the masses of people who are ravaged by poverty."

The modernisation of the primary school would have remained a dream had it not been for a response from a private company PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Mandela's efforts have also been given a boost by the undertaking of a German pharmaceutical company, Aventis. The company has pledged R150 million over the next five years, to fight tuberculosis. "They are going to build nine TB centres in all province."

Madiba praised former Miss South Africa Kerishnie Naicker for her role in securing the funding. He said the former beauty Queen had introduced to him to a number of donors.

 
GRADUATION CEREMONY

On 06th of April 2002, Nelson Mandela received an honorary Doctorate in Law at the fourth Rhodes University graduation ceremony held in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape..

Former president Mandela, speaking at the ceremony, said education and skills were the only weapons that could fight against social ills such as HIV/Aids.

He told the more than 1400 graduates that they were the new fighters against poverty, unemployment and economic inequality. He also praised Rhodes and Fort Hare Universities for the roles they were playing in developing and educating past and present leaders.

Mandela, however, refused to comment on the proposed controversial restructuring of higher education. Both Fort Hare and Rhodes universities will be dramatically affected by the restructuring
SOUTH AFRICA-OVERVIEW

Nelson Mandela, the former president, says South Africa is still in the hands of competent leaders. He was speaking in Johannesburg where the University of Ghana conferred him with an honorary Doctorate. Mandela also applauded the first African citizen Mark Shuttleworth who'll join the Russian team to space.

Three days to go to Freedom Day and former President Nelson Mandela is pleased with the country's progress. "My organization's victory in 1994, 1999 the local election of 2000 and clean sweep on all by elections around the country is proof of the support the ANC has," he said.

Mandela also took the opportunity to comment on another South African making history. The former president will speak to Mark Shuttleworth via satellite phone next week while he orbits the earth. Mandela plans to visit Ghana next month.

 
Inspirational words (Mandela)
MANDELA AND GRACA MACHEL

Who said Mandela is not a lover and a caring man, he has been taken by a Mozambiquan lady of all times Graca Machel, an ex-wife of Samora Machel, the ex-president of Mozambique.