F.W. de Klerk announces the release of political prisoners

Date: 10 Oct 1989
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

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.

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01kate,S, 'Negotiating the Release of Political Prisoners in South Africa ', [online],Available at www.csvr.org.za [Accessed: 01 October 2013]
02independent,' The day I ended apartheid ',[online],Available at www.independent.co.uk [Accessed: 01 October 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). F.W. de Klerk announces the release of political prisoners. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012834

South African History Online (2011) 'F.W. de Klerk announces the release of political prisoners', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012834 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).

South African History Online, F.W. de Klerk announces the release of political prisoners [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012834, (accessed 21 July 2026).

"F.W. de Klerk announces the release of political prisoners." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012834. Accessed 21 July 2026.

South African History Online. "F.W. de Klerk announces the release of political prisoners." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012834.