Today, 20 years ago, Nelson Mandela walked through the gates of the Victor Verster prison near Paarl in the Western Cape.  A free man after 27 years behind bars.

While typing this, I am listening to South African radio stations streaming live over the internet, in particular CapeTalk/702 who is broadcasting live from what used to be called the Victor Verster prison (now called the Drakenstein prison) and Mandela’s ‘home’ for about 18 months of his 27 years behind bars.

All through today, ex-political prisoners, cabinet ministers and other dignitaries have been arriving at the prison where special celebrations are being held.

A common question asked by the media on this 20th celebration is “Where were you when Nelson Mandela became a free man?”

Twenty years ago to the day, I was a student at university where I was assisting new students during the university’s orientation week.  I remember that on that particular Sunday, we were meeting at the university residences when word came that Nelson Mandela was about to be released and would speak at the Grand Parade in Cape Town. 

Needless to say, the meeting ended abruptly as we hurriedly made plans to join the throngs in the Cape Town city centre.  What a day it was.  Both chaotic and celebratory.  This was the headline of a Cape Town “struggle newspaper” called Grassroots on the historic day:

On Chinese New Year’s Day, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) put on their biggest ever New Year’s Night Parade.  The Parade was led by a float featuring staff from local carrier Cathay Pacific who was also the sponsors of the Parade for the 11th consecutive year. 

The motto of this year’s event was “The World’s Happiest Party” and was emphasised by improved lighting and sound throughout the parade route.  To bring more glitz and glamour to this year’s party, the parade showcased 39 performances  from 12 countries and regions, made up of 13 brightly illuminated floats, 13 international and 13 local performing groups.

One of the international Groups was a dance group from South Africa, represented by the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation.  It was the North West Province-based group’s first ever performance in Hong Kong. 

I was watching the Parade from a vantage point midway between the Kowloon Shangrila Hotel and the WooLooMooLoo Restaurant and I can proudly say that the South African contingent received one of the loudest applauses from the assembled crowd. 

Dancers from the Mmabana Foundation