Who did South Africa release in 1990 after over 27 years of imprisonment?

South Africa released Nelson Mandela in 1990 after more than 27 years of imprisonment. He walked out of Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990, becoming a global symbol of the struggle against apartheid.

Mandela had been arrested in 1962 and later sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial for offenses including sabotage. He spent most of his imprisonment on Robben Island, where he performed hard labor and became the most internationally recognized prisoner opposing South Africa's white-minority government.

His release followed negotiations with President F. W. de Klerk, who had announced the unbanning of the African National Congress and other political organizations. Mandela did not leave prison as a private citizen: he immediately resumed political leadership and negotiations for a democratic transition.

A common mix-up is the exact length of his imprisonment. He was behind bars for about 27 years, from August 1962 until February 1990, rather than precisely 27 calendar years. Four years after his release, he became South Africa's first Black president.