Revisiting five quotes from Nelson Mandela’s first post-prison speech 30 years later

Tuesday 11 February 2020 marks 30 years since former president Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech after his release from Victor Verster Prison.

The world commemorates 30th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s first post-prison speech

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to give a speech at the very same spot his predecessor addressed thousands of jubilant South Africans who saw his release as a step towards the abolishment of apartheid and the new dawn of democracy.

Ramaphosa stood next to Madiba on the balcony of the City Hall at the Grand Parade, in Cape Town, all those years ago, holding the microphone for South Africa’s first democratic president.

The world joined South Africa in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the speech. These are some of the messages we picked from social media.

#OnThisDay 30 years ago, Nelson Mandela became a free man.

He served 27 years in prison for fighting against South Africa's apartheid system of racial segregation. In 1994 he became the country's first black president.

Mandela — in pictures https://t.co/fC0QUpNL57 pic.twitter.com/YMZCAyVwcv

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 11, 2020

TODAY IN HISTORY: 30 years ago, Nelson Mandela was freed from prison after 27 years in captivity.

See his life in pictures: https://t.co/UNoViYMHUN pic.twitter.com/FmtIwomLUT

— ABC News (@ABC) February 11, 2020

On this day, 30 years ago, Nelson Mandela was released after serving 27 years in prison. It was not the good graces of his oppressors that set him free, but the voices and cries of the oppressed that forced the hand of the South African government. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/kKNXmvyW05

— Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@AttorneyCrump) February 10, 2020

'Nelson Mandela made South Africa?? respectable again'

-Legendary journalist John Pilger on meeting Nelson Mandela on the 30th Anniversary of his release from prison

WATCH: https://t.co/Ha8KzcFO3J pic.twitter.com/LVxTPDN0RX

— Going Underground on RT (@Underground_RT) February 11, 2020

Five quotes from that iconic address

Mandela’s speech was momentous for the political direction South Africa was headed towards. Some of the things he said have reverberated over the years and are more prominent in contemporary times, as the country still battles to find a balance with equality and socio-economic freedom.

Here are five powerful quotes from his speech.

“I Salute the African National Congress. It has fulfilled our every expectation in its role as a leader of the great march to freedom.”

“To relax our efforts now would be a mistake which generations to come will not be able to forgive.”

“We have waited for too long for our freedom. We can no longer wait.”

“We call on our white compatriots to join us in the shaping of a new South Africa. The freedom movement is the political home for you too.”

“Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today.”