Getrude Makhafola

The unbanning of the ANC 22 years ago on Thursday brought joyous memories to those who were in Bloemfontein on that day.

On that day, February 2 1990, former president FW de Klerk announced the unbanning of political parties and the release of political prisoners including Nelson Mandela.

Premier Ace Magashule’s spokesperson William Bulwane on Thursday said he remembered that joyous sunny day.

“I was surprised that the National Party government, after all it had done to black people, had all of a sudden had a change of heart. It was a glorious moment, Bloemfontein came alive and we celebrated, proudly wearing the organisation’s T-shirts that we could not wear in public before,” said Bulwane.

He said De Klerk was a reformist.

Speaking on Talk Radio 702 on Thursday, De Klerk said only a few close colleagues were aware of the content of the famous speech before he delivered it. He said not even his then wife,Elize, knew what he was going to say. “All I told her was that South Africa would never be the same again,” said the last apartheid president.

He said he did not know what reaction to expect from his colleagues after he unbanned the ANC and announced the “unconditional release of Mr Nelson Mandela”.

DFe Klerk said: “I was sure we were doing the right thing.”

Bulwane said: “He (De klerk) carried the torch all by himself among the nationalist leaders. He was brave and was willing to swallow the bitter pill and move forward because the obvious situation of change was unfolding before the world’s eyes. His own cabinet members could not believe what he did, it was a brave step on his part.”

gertrudem@thenewage.co.za