Where were you the day Mandela was freed?

We were not allowed to watch TV at my boarding school back then. And, of course, none of our newspapers and magazines highlighted his story thanks to the monstrous propaganda machine that was being dismantled around me without me even noticing.

We were vaguely aware of some discontent and some violent conflict somewhere in the far reaches of South Africa. But as with the youth of today, the pressures of school popularity and the magnitude of the next Man United FA cup game far outweighed our interest in the socio-political climate in our country. This unrest may as well have been in Israel or Northern Ireland or Vietnam for all we cared.

I wish I could say; 'I know exactly what I was doing - or even where I was - at school ' on the day Nelson Mandela was released after having spent 27 years in prison.

But I don't remember which lesson I was in or even if I was in a drama rehearsal on the 11 February 1990.  What I do remember - and I remember it almost as if I am trying to cling to a dream....you know the kind of yummy dream which just makes you feel good and you don't want that feeling to go when you open your eyes.

There was an almost imperceptible lightness of being which permeated the grounds men, the cleaners, the kitchen staff .....all of whom were the black staff at my 'whites only' boarding school.

Nothing dramatic happened. There was no massive change.  Just a lightness - one side of a mouth smiling almost imperceptibly, a little less frowning and less furrowing on aging brows.

I was so aware of these subtle changes and those memories have stayed with me for all these years.  And I love that my memory is one of the new era being ushered in in a gentle, kind and measured manner and always with such incredible grace.

Gabriel was very young but remembers the day like it was yesterday. He shares his story here:

Today we look back at that memorable day in 1990, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. 

I was ten-years-old and in Standard three at the time. Like many South Africans, who somewhat tasted “freedom”, as Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Vester, fist in the air accompanied by his wife…Winnie Mandela. 

At exactly the same time, I also somewhat tasted freedom…of a different kind. You see my mother’s eyes were glued on our black and white TV set. For the first time ever, I came back from school and made myself lunch. Mom was completely, fixated at the television. 

As a ten year old who knew very little about politics at the time or even cared. I had my own social issues to deal with. At 04h10, the doorbell rang, I attended to it. It was my “play comrade”…Sandile. I knew the drill…so did he. We both had to ask my mom for permission to go and ride our bikes. He was my wing man, in case my mom turned down my request. 

So we walked towards my mom. Sandile nudged me as if to say “It’s your mom. You ask first”!  I cleared my throat and then said, “Ma, please can I go bike riding with Sandile. We’ll be back before the sunsets…and I’ll bath. And get ready for supper…I already polished my school shoes.”  I was met “Yaah. Go ahead. Don’t go far!”

My comrade and I looked at each other…and ran for the door. If this mkhulu takes away a mother’s resistance for “Play Time requests”. I love him already…even if I don’t know him. 
Power to Play Time!

Do you remember where you were or what you were doing when Nelson Mandela was freed?

Share your stories with us below.