President F.W. de Klerk lifts the ban on the African National Congress and other liberation movements, opening the path to Nelson Mandela's release.
At a Glance
- Date
- 2 February 1990
- Location
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Key people
- F.W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela
- Category
- Diaspora & Global
- Source
- Parliamentary record, February 2, 1990 · Britannica
What It Meant Then
It signaled the beginning of the end of apartheid.
What It Means Now
The announcement set in motion South Africa's transition to democracy.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “South Africa Unbans the ANC.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/south-africa-unbans-the-anc/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). South Africa Unbans the ANC. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/south-africa-unbans-the-anc/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “South Africa Unbans the ANC.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/south-africa-unbans-the-anc/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.