SAfrica marks 20 years of Mandela's freedom

PAARL, South Africa (AFP) - South Africans gathered at a prison outside Cape Town Thursday to fete the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandelas release from prison, which hastened the demise of apartheid.
At a breakfast organised by the ruling partys former anti-apartheid activists, tycoon and veteran activist Cyril Ramap-hosa said Mandela was serene as he prepared to walk out of jail. Here is a man whos about to be released out of prison after 27 years. He was as cool as a cucumber and younger people would say hes a cool cat, said Ramaphosa, who was part of the team that welcomed Mandela on February 11, 1990 as he was about to take the first step out Victor Verster prison.
Ramaphosa told anti-apartheid veterans and government ministers who had gathered at the prison grounds, that the day was one of celebration.
We are celebrating a life that has been lived in service of our people. Our people kept comrade Nelson Madiba alive, Ramaphosa said using Mandelas clan name.
He knew he needed to continue living for the people that were outside. Without the struggle of our people Madiba would have never been released, he said.
South African media also paid tribute with some newspapers publishing special supplements. Most radio and television stations broadcast the ceremony live from the prison.
Veteran anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada, released four months before Mandela, told journalists he knew Mandela would be freed soon after him.
It was an emotional moment. When we were released, that was exhilaration, happiness but at the same time sadness that we are released, we came to prison together, and we are leaving him behind, the 80-year-old said.
But we knew that once we released that the day is not too far when he is going to join us.
Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu exhorted South Africans to use the day to remember the long road the country had travelled since.
The day Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster Prison our collective spirit soared. It was a day that promised the beginning of the end of indignity.
But Tutu, widely hailed as the nations conscience keeper, said though a lot had been achieved, there was still more to be done.
If we really want to make a difference we must recapture the spirit of that day of Nelson Mandelas release ... We must not forget the past, he said.