The day the world stood still
2010-02-11
Lise Beyers
TODAY it will be precisely 20 years ago that Nelson Mandela took his first steps to freedom just outside Paarl. This was a day that the world almost stood still in anticipation of the long awaited release of the great man. Looking back at this event it seems like just the other day, and I can remember ever moment leading up to the event. I was working for a daily newspaper in Johannesburg, and already in January 1990 there were whispers in our corridors that Mandela’s release was imminent. Eventually then president FW de Klerk made his ground breaking speech on 2 February 1990, unbanning various political organisations, as well as unions. He also announced that Nelson Mandela would be released unconditionally, but no date was given. And so we waited in anticipation for the day to arrive. About a week after FW’s speech, I was suddenly informed that Mandela would be released the next day and that there was a seat for me on a flight to Cape Town which was leaving in one hour. I packed an overnight bag in five minutes, grabbed my camera bag, and off I went. The press had been informed that Mandela would walk out of Victor Verster Prison at 10:00. The Sunday morning I was up bright and early, heading for Paarl, my home town. From the N1 I made my way towards the prison on the Wemmershoek Road. Even today when I drive this road, I still picture that day in my mind. The road was closed quite a few kilometers before Victor Verster, and it was a 30 minute brisk walk to the gates. To top it all, it was a typical, searingly hot February day. On arrival I recognised a few other photographers whom I knew from Johannesburg. We all scuffled to get our spot ready for the great moment. Ten o’clock came and went, so did the next hour and the next. The heat was beating down and at one stage I did feel slightly faint. But there we stood, without water or shade, and too afraid to move a step, just in case the big moment should arrive. At around 15:00 the gates finally opened and the fun and games started. Mandela was hand-in-hand with his then wife Winnie, both triumphantly waving their fists in the air. The crowd cheered and we photographers surged forward to get better shots, but were pushed back by security guards. And within what felt like seconds, Mandela climbed into a car and was whisked away. I sprinted back to my vehicle, rushed to Cape Town Airport to put my films on an aeroplane to Johannesburg, and the next stop was the Grand Parade in Cape Town, to observe Mandela’s first words in freedom. The next day it was his first press conference at the home of Desmond Tutu in Bishop’s Court. That evening I flew back to Johannesburg and the following weeks I spent mostly in Soweto outside Mandela’s old home. He chose to move back to this humble home, instead of the mansion which Winnie had built. And so 20 years have gone by. Not only have most things changed in South Africa, but in the rest of the world too. The day that Mandela was released has been etched into the history of the world. It may not have changed the world, but it did give the world hope. And I am proud to say that I was there to share that historic moment.
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