This Day in History: October 10, 1989
Additional Date: October 10, 1989
Shortly after taking over from P.W. Botha as state president, F.W. de Klerk announced the unconditional release of eight long serving political prisoners of the liberation movements African National Congress (ANC) and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). This demonstrated the government's readiness to submit to ANC demands.
The eight prisoners were former ANC secretary-general Walter Sisulu, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba, Elias Motsoaledi, Wilton Mkwayi, Ahmed Kathrada, Jafta Masemola and Oscar Mpetha.