By the end of the 1980s South Africa had in effect become a police state. When Botha suffered a stroke in 1989 and FW de Klerk took over it had become abundantly clear that a process of reform had to begin. He released a group of prominent political prisoners, including Walter Sisulu and began to consult with them.
imageREF I-0039408Revised
Image record
Walter Sisulu is released from prison, Albertina Sisulu is on his right and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, October 1989
- Updated
- 24 Jul 2019
Mayibuye Archives
South African History Online. (2011, March 28). Walter Sisulu is released from prison, Albertina Sisulu is on his right and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, October 1989. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/I-0039408
South African History Online (2011) 'Walter Sisulu is released from prison, Albertina Sisulu is on his right and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, October 1989', South African History Online, 28 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/I-0039408 (Accessed: 16 September 2026).
South African History Online, Walter Sisulu is released from prison, Albertina Sisulu is on his right and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, October 1989 [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/I-0039408, (accessed 16 September 2026).
"Walter Sisulu is released from prison, Albertina Sisulu is on his right and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, October 1989." South African History Online, 28 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/I-0039408. Accessed 16 Sept. 2026.
South African History Online. "Walter Sisulu is released from prison, Albertina Sisulu is on his right and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, October 1989." South African History Online. March 28, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/I-0039408.
Further reading
Place
Winburg
Winburg was founded in 1837, by Voortrekkers at the beginning of the Great Trek. It was the first town established in...
Biography
SAHO is free because readers fund it. Donate →