In Pictures

In Pictures: 30 years since Nelson Mandela became a free man

Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison for fighting against the South Africa’s discriminatory apartheid system.

South Africa turned the page on its violent political past June 2 as it voted peacefully in a watershed election expected to send Nelson Mandela into retirement with a landslide for his ruling party. — Mandela is accompanied by his then-wife Winnie, moments after his release from prison. [Reuters]

On Sunday afternoon, February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Verster Prison, now known as the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, flanked by his wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his right hand raised and fist clenched.

Excited supporters were held back by police while trying to get a glimpse of their just-freed leader who had spent 27 years in prison for fighting against the country’s discriminatory apartheid system of racial segregation.

Having guided the country through a dramatic transition that marked the end of apartheid, Mandela in 1994 became South Africa‘s first black president.

The inspirational and globally revered leader stepped down after serving one term as head of state and officially retired from public life in 2004. He died aged 95 on December 5, 2013.

Portrait of, from left, anti-apartheid leaders Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Albertina Sisulu, Cape Town, South Africa, February 12, 1990. (Photo by Susan — From left, anti-apartheid leaders Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Albertina Sisulu. [Susan Winters Cook/Getty Images]

FEBRUARY 13: Nelson Mandela gestured to supporters in Soweto two days after his release from prison in Cape Town. He addressed more than 100,000 people inside a soccer stadium saying, "during the past — Nelson Mandela in Soweto two days after his release from prison. He addressed more than 100,000 people inside a football stadium. 'During the past 27 years I have looked forward to this day when I would come back to the area I regard as home, to meet my brothers and sisters and grandchildren.' [Joanne Rathe/The Boston Globe via Getty Images]

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Winnie Mandela, African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela and general secretary Walter Sisulu attend a rally in Soweto on February 13, 1990 — Winnie Mandela, African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela and General Secretary Walter Sisulu attend a rally in Soweto. [Georges De Keerle/Getty Images]

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 15: African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela at home in Soweto, five days after his release from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, after — Nelson Mandela at home in Soweto, five days after his release from Victor Verster Prison. [Georges De Keerle/Getty Images]

Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela meets with members of the Kennedy family in Boston during a 1990 tour of the United States following his release from a South African prison. In front, from left — Nelson Mandela meets with members of the Kennedy family in Boston during a 1990 tour of the United States. [David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images]

Deputy President of the African National Congress Nelson Mandela, right, meets with the Rev. Jesse Jackson when the two met during a reception for Mandela on Sunday, April 15, 1990 in a London hotel. — Nelson Mandela meets with the Reverend Jesse Jackson during a reception for Mandela on Sunday, April 15, 1990 in London. Mandela was in London to attend a concert in his honour at Wembley Stadium. The last visit to the United Kingdom by Mandela was in 1962. [Gill Allen/AP Photo]

African National Congress President (C) Nelson Mandela arrives at a Sonke Festival campaign rally for the April 1994 presidential elections October 24. At left is southern Natal ANC chairman Jeff Rade — Nelson Mandela arrives at a Sonke Festival campaign rally for the April 1994 presidential elections. Having guided the country through a dramatic transition that marked the end of apartheid, Mandela in 1994 became South Africa's first black president. [Juda Ngwenya/Reuters]