Sisulu, Mhlaba, Kathrada and others appear in public following their release from prison on Robben Island Image source
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After the release of Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba of the African National Congress (ANC) and Ahmed Kathrada of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) on 15 October 1989, a rally was organised by the ANC to commemorate their release from prison. The rally, which was held at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, was attended by thousands of South Africans. It was the first time that these leaders were able to speak to South Africans after 25 years. Their release from prison and the rally marked the beginning of the end of apartheid.