The release of Nelson Mandela

A few minutes after 4am, I watched for the first time, the man I had admired for years walk through the prison gates. And there he stood, proud and tall. Like the messiah that we had all been waiting for. I had waited for hours, just for this moment, and it was worth it. For when he stepped out through the prison gates, it was like a roar from a thousand lions, for the crowd was massive, and the atmosphere fantastic. And that was when I knew, that this man was destined for great things, and he would be the man that would change South Africa. And thousands of proud Africans agreed. I don't know why I thought he looked so special, he was just a man, but there was something about him, he had that kind of glow you can't see, just feel. Something I have never seen in any other man nor woman. I was born the same year, he was thrown in prison, and my parents were dedicated supporters of the ANC, (African National Congress) so I practically grew up following him. I had also read most of his articles and seen almost all of his tv broadcast. He was my idol, my hero and to watch him come out of those gates, and the massive crowd of people showing their support and their love. It was magical. It's funny how seeing a man you've never met, can be the most important moment in your life. But for me, that moment meant something special, and I wish that my parents could have been there with me. The following day Nelson held a press conference. The whole world waited in suspense to hear his message. Many expected him to express his wish to revenge the injustices which had hit himself and his people. Instead he said that he understood how the white people felt about sharing power, but they were not to be afraid. Freedom and democracy were also in their interests. “Whites are fellow South Africans,” he said. The next day he flew to Johannesburg and spoke to 120.000 people at a stadium in Soweto.