3 Feb 2010

20th anniversary of speech marking end of apartheid

6:12 am on 3 February 2010

South Africa's last white president, FW de Klerk will join celebrations in Capetown on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of a speech in which he signalled the end of apartheid.

Mr de Klerk told parliament in 1990 that he was lifting a ban on the African National Congress, Pan African Congress, and other subsidiary organisations.

He said Nelson Mandela would be released unconditionally. Nine days later, South Africa's future President was free.