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February 11, 2015It is a Friday when, after years of negotiations, South African President Frederik de Klerk, the last white president of South Africa, meets Nelson Mandela for the last time before his liberation. 



The images of the black leader had not been seen for 27 years.


Newspapers and televisions broadcast the first images of the black leader, whom no one had ever had the chance to see during the 27 years of imprisonment. Two days later, on Sunday 11 February, Mandela comes out of Victor Verster's prison and is greeted by a huge crowd. President de Klerk kept his word: the two will win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.



Mandela becomes President of the Republic


After Madiba's release, the African National Congress (ANC) becomes legal. The first free and multi-ethnic elections took place in 1994 and saw the victory of the ANC and the election of Mandela to the presidency of the Republic.



25 years later


Twenty-five years after Madiba's liberation, and one year after his death in December 2013, many things have changed in South Africa: there is no longer apartheid and Mandela is considered worldwide a hero and a peace symbol. On Twitter, February 11 is remembered with phrases about freedom and black and white photos: "Today, 11/2 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from the Victor Verster Prison near Paarl at 4:22 pm".



Today, 11/2/1990 #NelsonMandela was released from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl at 16h22 http://t.co/4QBhJl9Z4W pic.twitter.com/19uzJ7IRC5

- NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) February 11, 2015




Anglican archbishop, activist and Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu recalled Mandela's release: "A significant moment is the liberation of a man of extraordinary magnanimity."

Tutu praised Mandela for his commitment to creating a non-racist society and for his lack of resentment towards his oppressors.



Arch Desmond Tutu speaking on #Madiba on the 25th anniversary of his release https://t.co/tSleG2HFUe #RememberMadiba pic.twitter.com/B6sIP8Rtlq

- NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) February 11, 2015