Nelson Mandela Mandela realese from prison

survived decades in prison and stayed the course through enormous punishment ultimately leading his
country into freedom. In his dedication to the liberties of his people and his defeat of apartheid, Mandela
became a global symbol of triumph over adversity and one of the most recognizable human rights
advocates of the twentieth century.
Described by other leaders of the world as Charming, kind-hearyed and humble. Mandela and his heroic
legacy changed the history of his country while teaching the rest of world the importance of
perseverance, justice and forgiveness.
Nelson Mandela, as a leader in the African National Congress, an organization dedicated to protesting
the South African governments policy of apartheid, had been arrested in 1956 on treason charges, but
was acquitted.

In 1961, believing that non-violent measures would not be successful, Mandela and other ANC leaders
formed Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a militant wing of the ANC. Beginning on Dec. 16, 1961, MK, with
Mandela as its commander in chief, launched bombing attacks on government targets and made plans
for guerilla warfare.

Mandela was arrested in August 1962 and sentenced to five years in prison. In 1963, he was convicted
a second time for sabotage. He received a life sentence on June 12, 1964, and was sent to prison on
Robben Island.
On this day, Nelson Mandela was released unconditionally from prison after 27 years. Accompanied
by his then-wife Winnie, he left the Victor Verster prison (later renamed Drakenstein Correctional
Centre) on the outskirts of Paarl and was driven the 60 kms to Cape Town by African National
Congress'(ANC) Rose Sonto along a route lined by thousands of supporters.
On the balcony of the City Hall he spoke to a crowd of approximately 50 000 people, who had waited
for hours to see him. He started by expressing his sincere and warmest gratitude to the "millions of
my compatriots and those in every corner of the globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my
release".
By the time of his death, Mandela had come to be widely considered the father of the nation, within
South Africa, the founding father of democracy being seen the national liberator, the saviour.