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I would like to recognise the special significance of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of Mr Nelson Mandela from prison. The events of early February 1990 opened the way to the commencement of negotiations for the establishment of our present constitutional democracy. They represent a victory for all South Africa's communities and for all significant parties that decided to draw back from violence and confrontation and to join one another on the often difficult road to a peaceful and constitutional solution.

When we celebrate the release of Mr Mandela tomorrow we should do so in the knowledge that our new constitutional democracy is the creation of all our people and all our communities. We should mark the day by recommitting ourselves to the goal of national reconciliation which was President Mandela's greatest legacy to our people.