Nelson Mandela

=== Imprisonment ===

==== Arrest and Rivonia trial: 1962–1964 ====
{{main|Rivonia Trial}}

On 5 August 1962, police captured Mandela along with fellow activist [[Cecil Williams (anti-apartheid activist)|Cecil Williams]] near [[Howick, KwaZulu-Natal|Howick]].{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=116–117|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=201–202|3a1=Mandela|3y=1994|3pp=435–435|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=215–216|5a1=Smith|5y=2010|5pp=275–276|6a1=Sampson|6y=2011|6pp=170–172}} Many MK members suspected that the authorities had been tipped off with regard to Mandela's whereabouts, although Mandela himself gave these ideas little credence.{{sfnm|1a1=Mandela|1y=1994|1pp=278–279|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2p=216|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3p=172}} In later years, [[Donald Rickard]], a former American diplomat, revealed that the [[Central Intelligence Agency]], which feared Mandela's associations with communists, had informed the South African police of his location.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1pp=216–217|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=172}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-CIA spy admits tip led to Nelson Mandela's long imprisonment |date=15 May 2016 |website=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/15/cia-operative-nelson-mandela-1962-arrest |access-date=20 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516104658/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/15/cia-operative-nelson-mandela-1962-arrest |archive-date=16 May 2016 }}</ref> Jailed in Johannesburg's Marshall Square prison, Mandela was charged with inciting workers' strikes and leaving the country without permission. Representing himself with Slovo as legal advisor, Mandela intended to use the trial to showcase "the ANC's moral opposition to racism" while supporters demonstrated outside the court.{{sfnm|1a1=Mandela|1y=1994|1pp=456–459|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=172–173}} Moved to Pretoria, where Winnie could visit him, he began correspondence studies for a [[Bachelor of Laws]] (LLB) degree from the [[University of London International Programmes]].{{sfnm|1a1=Mandela|1y=1994|1pp=463–465|2a1=Smith|2y=2010|2pp=292–293|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=173–174}} His hearing began in October, but he disrupted proceedings by wearing a traditional ''[[kaross]]'', refusing to call any witnesses, and turning his plea of mitigation into a political speech. Found guilty, he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment; as he left the courtroom, supporters sang "[[Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika]]".{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=120–134|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=210–213|3a1=Mandela|3y=1994|3pp=468–482|4a1=Lodge|4y=2006|4pp=104–106|5a1=Meredith|5y=2010|5pp=218–426|6a1=Sampson|6y=2011|6pp=174–176}}

{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| quote = I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realised. But if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
| salign = right
| source = —&thinsp;Mandela's [[Rivonia Trial Speech]], 1964{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=159|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2p=258|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=265|4a1=Smith|4y=2010|4p=302|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5p=193|6a1=Broun|6y=2012|6p=74}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Nelson Mandela |title=I am prepared to die |url=http://db.nelsonmandela.org/speeches/pub_view.asp?pg=item&ItemID=NMS010 |work=Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory |publisher=Nelson Mandela Foundation |access-date=16 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201092557/http://db.nelsonmandela.org/speeches/pub_view.asp?pg=item&ItemID=NMS010 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

On 11 July 1963, police raided Liliesleaf Farm, arresting those that they found there and uncovering paperwork documenting MK's activities, some of which mentioned Mandela. The [[Rivonia Trial]] began at [[Supreme Court of South Africa|Pretoria Supreme Court]] in October, with Mandela and his comrades charged with four counts of sabotage and conspiracy to violently overthrow the government; their chief prosecutor was [[Percy Yutar]].{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=134–137|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=223–226|3a1=Mandela|3y=2004|3pp=27–32|4a1=Lodge|4y=2006|4pp=108–109|5a1=Meredith|5y=2010|5pp=242–250|6a1=Smith|6y=2010|6pp=292–295|7a1=Sampson|7y=2011|7pp=183–186|8a1=Broun|8y=2012|8pp=6–10, 19–20}} Judge [[Quartus de Wet]] soon threw out the prosecution's case for insufficient evidence, but Yutar reformulated the charges, presenting his new case from December 1963 until February 1964, calling 173 witnesses and bringing thousands of documents and photographs to the trial.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=138–139|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2p=226|3a1=Mandela|3y=2004|3pp=33–42|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=252–254, 256|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5pp=186–190|6a1=Broun|6y=2012|6pp=43–49}}

Although four of the accused denied involvement with MK, Mandela and the other five accused admitted sabotage but denied that they had ever agreed to initiate guerrilla war against the government.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=160|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=232–233|3a1=Mandela|3y=2004|3pp=42–44|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=252, 259}} They used the trial to highlight their political cause; at the opening of the defence's proceedings, Mandela gave his three-hour "[[I Am Prepared to Die]]" speech. That speech—which was inspired by Castro's "[[History Will Absolve Me]]"—was widely reported in the press despite official censorship.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=140|2a1=Mandela|2y=2004|2pp=43–57|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=258–265|4a1=Smith|4y=2010|4pp=298–302|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5pp=191–194|6a1=Broun|6y=2012|6pp=68–75}} The trial gained international attention; there were global calls for the release of the accused from the United Nations and [[World Peace Council]], while the [[University of London Union]] voted Mandela to its presidency.{{sfnm|1a1=Mandela|1y=2004|1p=62|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2p=268|3a1=Smith|3y=2010|3p=303|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=194–195|5a1=Broun|5y=2012|5pp=102–104, 107}} On 12 June 1964, justice De Wet found Mandela and two of his co-accused guilty on all four charges; although the prosecution had called for the [[death sentence]] to be applied, the judge instead condemned them to [[life imprisonment]].{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=161, 163|2a1=Mandela|2y=2004|2pp=63–68|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=268–272|4a1=Smith|4y=2010|4p=306|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5pp=196–197|6a1=Broun|6y=2012|6pp=116–128}}

==== Robben Island: 1964–1982 ====
In 1964, Mandela and his co-accused were transferred from Pretoria to the prison on [[Robben Island]], remaining there for the next 18 years.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=165|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2p=262|3a1=Mandela|3y=2004|3pp=75–78|4a1=Smith|4y=2010|4pp=307–308|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5p=204}} Isolated from non-political prisoners in Section B, Mandela was imprisoned in a damp concrete cell measuring {{convert|8|ft|m}} by {{convert|7|ft|m}}, with a straw mat on which to sleep.{{sfnm|1a1=Mandela|1y=2004|1pp=79–80|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2p=279|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3p=205}} Verbally and physically harassed by several white prison wardens, the Rivonia Trial prisoners spent their days breaking rocks into gravel, until being reassigned in January 1965 to work in a lime quarry. Mandela was initially forbidden to wear sunglasses, and the glare from the lime permanently damaged his eyesight.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=166, 182|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2p=266|3a1=Mandela|3y=2004|3pp=82–84, 108–116|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=281–283, 290–291|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5pp=206–207}} At night, he worked on his LLB degree, which he was obtaining from the [[University of London]] through a correspondence course with [[Wolsey Hall, Oxford]], but newspapers were forbidden, and he was locked in [[solitary confinement]] on several occasions for the possession of smuggled news clippings.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=174|2a1=Mandela|2y=2004|2p=126|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=299|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=205, 258}} He was initially classified as the lowest grade of prisoner, Class D, meaning that he was permitted one visit and one letter every six months, although all mail was heavily censored.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=169|2a1=Mandela|2y=2004|2pp=102–108|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=283|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4p=205}}

[[File:RobbenIslandSteinbruchA.JPG|thumb|left|Lime quarry on Robben Island where Mandela and other prisoners were forced to carry out hard labour]]

The political prisoners took part in work and [[hunger strike]]s—the latter considered largely ineffective by Mandela—to improve prison conditions, viewing this as a microcosm of the anti-apartheid struggle.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=175|2a1=Mandela|2y=2004|2pp=83, 90, 136–138|3a1=Lodge|3y=2006|3p=124|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=284, 296–298}} ANC prisoners elected him to their four-man "High Organ" along with Sisulu, [[Govan Mbeki]] and Raymond Mhlaba, and he involved himself in a group, named Ulundi, that represented all political prisoners (including [[Eddie Daniels (political activist)|Eddie Daniels]]) on the island, through which he forged links with PAC and [[Yu Chi Chan Club]] members.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1pp=298–299|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=210–214}} Initiating the "University of Robben Island", whereby prisoners lectured on their own areas of expertise, he debated socio-political topics with his comrades.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1pp=130–131|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=292–295|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=236–241, 288–294}}

Though attending Christian Sunday services, Mandela studied Islam.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1pp=301, 313|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=232}} He also studied [[Afrikaans]], hoping to build a mutual respect with the warders and convert them to his cause.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1pp=295, 299–301|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=229}} Various official visitors met with Mandela, most significantly the liberal parliamentary representative [[Helen Suzman]] of the [[Progressive Party (South Africa)|Progressive Party]], who championed Mandela's cause outside of prison.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1pp=301–302|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=221}} In September 1970, he met [[British Labour Party]] politician [[Denis Healey]].{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1p=337|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=222}} South African Minister of Justice [[Jimmy Kruger]] visited in December 1974, but he and Mandela did not get along with each other.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1p=334|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=241}} His mother visited in 1968, dying shortly after, and his firstborn son Thembi died in a car accident the following year; Mandela was forbidden from attending either funeral.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1pp=142, 145|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=303–304|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=246–247}} His wife was rarely able to see him, being regularly imprisoned for political activity, and his daughters first visited in December 1975. Winnie was released from prison in 1977 but was forcibly settled in [[Brandfort]] and remained unable to see him.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=192–194|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=306–307|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=287–288, 304–310|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=248–254, 302}}

From 1967 onwards, prison conditions improved. Black prisoners were given trousers rather than shorts, games were permitted, and the standard of their food was raised.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1p=301|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=222, 235}} In 1969, an escape plan for Mandela was developed by Gordon Bruce, but it was abandoned after the conspiracy was infiltrated by an agent of the [[South African Bureau of State Security]] (BOSS), who hoped to see Mandela shot during the escape.{{sfnm|1a1=Meer|1y=1988|1pp=207–208|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=231}} In 1970, Commander Piet Badenhorst became commanding officer. Mandela, seeing an increase in the physical and mental abuse of prisoners, complained to visiting judges, who had Badenhorst reassigned.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1pp=127–128|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=308–310|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=223–225}} He was replaced by Commander Willie Willemse, who developed a co-operative relationship with Mandela and was keen to improve prison standards.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1pp=128–129|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=226–227}}

{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Physiological needs.jpg
| width1 = 190
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Robben Island fængslet Sektion B.jpg
| width2 = 205
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = The inside of Mandela's prison cell as it was when he was imprisoned in 1964 and his open cell window facing the prison yard on Robben Island, now a [[National heritage sites (South Africa)|national]] and [[World Heritage Site]]. Mandela's cell later contained more furniture, including a bed from around 1973.{{sfn|Hutton|1994|p=60}}
}}

By 1975, Mandela had become a Class A prisoner,{{sfn|Sampson|2011|p=228}} which allowed him greater numbers of visits and letters. He corresponded with anti-apartheid activists like [[Mangosuthu Buthelezi]] and [[Desmond Tutu]].{{sfn|Sampson|2011|pp=314–315}} That year, he began his autobiography, which was smuggled to London, but remained unpublished at the time; prison authorities discovered several pages, and his LLB study privileges were revoked for four years.{{sfnm|1a1=Meer|1y=1988|1p=268|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2p=139|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=317|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=242–243}} Instead, he devoted his spare time to gardening and reading until the authorities permitted him to resume his LLB degree studies in 1980.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|pp=285–286}}

By the late 1960s, Mandela's fame had been eclipsed by [[Steve Biko]] and the [[Black Consciousness Movement]] (BCM). Seeing the ANC as ineffectual, the BCM called for militant action, but, following the [[Soweto uprising]] of 1976, many BCM activists were imprisoned on Robben Island.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=186–188|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=304–306|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=324–327|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=259–276}} Mandela tried to build a relationship with these young radicals, although he was critical of their racialism and contempt for white anti-apartheid activists.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1p=135|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=327–328|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=277–283|4a1=Soudien|4y=2015|4pp=363–364}} Renewed international interest in his plight came in July 1978, when he celebrated his 60th birthday.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|p=296}} He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Lesotho, the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Award|Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding]] in India in 1979, and the [[Freedom of the City]] of [[Glasgow]], Scotland in 1981.{{sfnm|1a1=Meer|1y=1988|1pp=313, 314|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=315–316}} In March 1980, the slogan "Free Mandela!" was developed by journalist [[Percy Qoboza]], sparking an international campaign that led the [[UN Security Council]] to call for his release.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1p=155|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=338–339|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=319–320}} Despite increasing foreign pressure, the government refused, relying on its [[Cold War]] allies US president [[Ronald Reagan]] and British prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]]; both considered Mandela's ANC a terrorist organisation sympathetic to communism and supported its suppression.{{sfnm|1a1=Barber|1y=2004|1p=24|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=321}}

==== Pollsmoor Prison: 1982–1988 ====
In April 1982, Mandela was transferred to [[Pollsmoor Prison]] in [[Tokai, Cape Town]], along with senior ANC leaders Walter Sisulu, Andrew Mlangeni, [[Ahmed Kathrada]] and Raymond Mhlaba; they believed that they were being isolated to remove their influence on younger activists at Robben Island.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=218|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2pp=147–149|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=340|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=324–325}} Conditions at Pollsmoor were better than at Robben Island, although Mandela missed the camaraderie and scenery of the island.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1p=148|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=346–347|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=324–325}} Getting on well with Pollsmoor's commanding officer, Brigadier Munro, Mandela was permitted to create a [[roof garden]];{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1p=347|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=326}} he also read voraciously and corresponded widely, now being permitted 52 letters a year.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|pp=329}} He was appointed patron of the multi-racial [[United Democratic Front (South Africa)|United Democratic Front]] (UDF), founded to combat [[South African Constitution of 1983|reforms]] implemented by South African president [[P. W. Botha]]. Botha's National Party government had permitted Coloured and Indian citizens to vote for their own parliaments, which had control over education, health and housing, but black Africans were excluded from the system. Like Mandela, the UDF saw this as an attempt to divide the anti-apartheid movement on racial lines.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=224|2a1=Barber|2y=2004|2pp=20, 23, 26–27|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=341–346|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=335–336}}

[[File:Mandela Bust at Southbank.jpg|thumb|left|Bust of Mandela erected on London's [[South Bank]] by the [[Greater London Council]] administration of [[Ken Livingstone]] in 1985]]

The early 1980s witnessed an escalation of violence across the country, and many predicted civil war. This was accompanied by economic stagnation as various multinational banks—under pressure from an international lobby—had stopped investing in South Africa. Numerous banks and Thatcher asked Botha to release Mandela—then at the height of his international fame—to defuse the volatile situation.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=247–248|2a1=Barber|2y=2004|2p=30|3a1=Lodge|3y=2006|3pp=152–153, 156|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=249–256|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5pp=338–342}} Although considering Mandela a dangerous "arch-Marxist",{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=210|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2p=340}} Botha offered him, in February 1985, a release from prison if he "unconditionally rejected violence as a political weapon". Mandela spurned the offer, releasing a statement through his daughter Zindzi stating, "What freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people [ANC] remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts."{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1pp=237–238|2a1=Meer|2y=1988|2pp=315–318|3a1=Barber|3y=2004|3p=36|4a1=Lodge|4y=2006|4p=157|5a1=Meredith|5y=2010|5pp=351–352|6a1=Sampson|6y=2011|6pp=330–332}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/64-90/jabulani.html|title=Mandela's response to being offered freedom|publisher=ANC|access-date=28 October 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080622004124/http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/64-90/jabulani.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 22 June 2008}}</ref>

In 1985, Mandela underwent surgery on an enlarged prostate gland before being given new solitary quarters on the ground floor.{{sfnm|1a1=Benson|1y=1986|1p=254|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2pp=157–158|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=358|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=343–345}} He was met by an international delegation sent to negotiate a settlement, but Botha's government refused to co-operate, calling a state of emergency in June and initiating a police crackdown on unrest.{{sfnm|1a1=Meredith|1y=2010|1pp=359–360|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=347–355}} The anti-apartheid resistance fought back, with the ANC committing 231 attacks in 1986 and 235 in 1987.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|p=355}} The violence escalated as the government used the army and police to combat the resistance and provided covert support for vigilante groups and the [[Zulu people|Zulu]] nationalist movement [[Inkatha Freedom Party|Inkatha]], which was involved in an increasingly violent struggle with the ANC.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|pp=354–357}} Mandela requested talks with Botha but was denied, instead secretly meeting with Minister of Justice [[Kobie Coetsee]] in 1987, and having a further 11 meetings over the next three years. Coetsee organised negotiations between Mandela and a team of four government figures starting in May 1988; the team agreed to the release of political prisoners and the legalisation of the ANC on the condition that they permanently renounce violence, break links with the Communist Party, and not insist on [[majority rule]]. Mandela rejected these conditions, insisting that the ANC would end its armed activities only when the government renounced violence.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1p=160|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=362–368|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=363–378}}

Mandela's 70th birthday in July 1988 attracted international attention, including [[Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute|a tribute concert]] at London's [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] that was televised and watched by an estimated 200 million viewers.{{sfnm|1a1=Barber|1y=2004|1p=35|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2p=368}} Although presented globally as a heroic figure, he faced personal problems when ANC leaders informed him that Winnie had set herself up as head of a gang, the "Mandela United Football Club", which had been responsible for torturing and killing opponents—including children—in Soweto. Though some encouraged him to divorce her, he decided to remain loyal until she was found guilty by trial.{{sfnm|1a1=Meer|1y=1988|1pp=20–23|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2pp=183–184|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=371–383|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=373–380}}

==== Victor Verster Prison and release: 1988–1990 ====
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1986-0920-016, Berlin, Weltgewerkschaftskongress, Probe des Festprogramms.jpg|thumb|right|"Free Mandela" protest in [[East Berlin]], 1986]]

Recovering from [[tuberculosis]] exacerbated by the damp conditions in his cell,{{sfnm|1a1=Meer|1y=1988|1pp=318–319|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2p=160|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=369|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4pp=369–370}} Mandela was moved to [[Victor Verster Prison]], near [[Paarl]], in December 1988. He was housed in the relative comfort of a warder's house with a personal cook, and he used the time to complete his LLB degree.{{sfnm|1a1=Meer|1y=1988|1p=320|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2p=160|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3pp=369–370|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4p=381}} While there, he was permitted many visitors and organised secret communications with exiled ANC leader Oliver Tambo.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|pp=384–385, 392–393}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/08/world/mandela-moved-to-house-at-prison-farm.html |title=Mandela Moved to House at Prison Farm |author=Christopher S. Wren |date=8 December 1988 |work=The New York Times |access-date=13 February 2013 |archive-date=1 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501172541/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/08/world/mandela-moved-to-house-at-prison-farm.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1989, Botha suffered a stroke; although he retained the state presidency, he stepped down as leader of the National Party, to be replaced by [[F. W. de Klerk]].{{sfnm|1a1=Barber|1y=2004|1p=41|2a1=Lodge|2y=2006|2p=62|3a1=Meredith|3y=2010|3p=388|4a1=Sampson|4y=2011|4p=386}} In a surprise move, Botha invited Mandela to a meeting over tea in July 1989, an invitation Mandela considered genial.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1pp=161–162|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=387–388|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=390–392}} Botha was replaced as state president by de Klerk six weeks later; the new president believed that apartheid was unsustainable and released a number of ANC prisoners.{{sfnm|1a1=Barber|1y=2004|1pp=41–42|2a1=Sampson|2y=2011|2pp=392–397}} Following the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]] in November 1989, de Klerk called his cabinet together to debate legalising the ANC and freeing Mandela. Although some were deeply opposed to his plans, de Klerk met with Mandela in December to discuss the situation, a meeting both men considered friendly, before legalising all formerly banned political parties in February 1990 and announcing Mandela's unconditional release.{{sfnm|1a1=Glad|1a2=Blanton|1y=1997|1p=567|2a1=Barber|2y=2004|2p=1|3a1=Lodge|3y=2006|3pp=165–166|4a1=Meredith|4y=2010|4pp=369–397|5a1=Sampson|5y=2011|5pp=399–402}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/11/newsid_2539000/2539947.stm |title=1990: Freedom for Nelson Mandela |date=11 February 1990 |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 October 2008 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023134531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/11/newsid_2539000/2539947.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly thereafter, for the first time in 20 years, photographs of Mandela were allowed to be published in South Africa.{{sfn|Sampson|2011|p=403}}

Leaving Victor Verster Prison on 11 February, Mandela held Winnie's hand in front of amassed crowds and the press; the event was broadcast live across the world.{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1p=167|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=399–402|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3p=407}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://century.guardian.co.uk/1990-1999/Story/0,,112389,00.html |title=Mandela free after 27 years |last=Ormond |first=Roger |date=12 February 1990 |work=The Guardian |access-date=28 October 2008 |location=London |archive-date=14 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214051055/http://century.guardian.co.uk/1990-1999/Story/0,,112389,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Driven to [[Cape Town City Hall|Cape Town's City Hall]] through crowds, he gave a speech declaring his commitment to peace and reconciliation with the white minority, but he made it clear that the ANC's armed struggle was not over and would continue as "a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid". He expressed hope that the government would agree to negotiations, so that "there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle", and insisted that his main focus was to bring peace to the black majority and give them the right to vote in national and local elections.{{sfnm|1a1=Barber|1y=2004|1p=2|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=400–402|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=408–409}}<ref>The text of Mandela's speech can be found at {{cite web|url=http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1990/release.html|title=Nelson Mandela's address to Rally in Cape Town on his Release from Prison|date=11 February 1990|publisher=ANC|access-date=28 October 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080728021713/http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1990/release.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 28 July 2008}}</ref> Staying at Tutu's home, in the following days Mandela met with friends, activists, and press, giving a speech to an estimated 100,000 people at Johannesburg's [[FNB Stadium]].{{sfnm|1a1=Lodge|1y=2006|1p=171|2a1=Meredith|2y=2010|2pp=403–405|3a1=Sampson|3y=2011|3pp=409–410}}
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