Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Saeed Naqvi Recalls Reaching Mandela on Release Day
Saeed Naqvi was a journalist who wanted to report on Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.
He traveled to South Africa with a television crew.
The crew faced strict rules about bringing cameras and equipment into the country.
Yusuf Cachalia helped them get through customs.
Mandela was released on February 11, 1990, after 27 years in prison.
Naqvi wanted to interview him, but Mandela’s location was being kept secret.
Ghalib Cachalia and Trevor Thamsanqa helped Naqvi reach Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s home.
There, Naqvi met Mandela on his first day of freedom.
Saeed Naqvi says he traveled to South Africa with a Doordarshan television crew to report on Nelson Mandela’s release.
Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990, after 27 years in prison.
Yusuf Cachalia helped the crew enter South Africa by arranging a customs guarantee for its equipment.
Naqvi learned that Mandela was staying at Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s home and entered through a rear gate with help from Ghalib Cachalia and Trevor Thamsanqa.
Naqvi recalls meeting Mandela on his first day of freedom and says Mandela welcomed an Indian journalist who had come to interview him.
- Who
- Journalist Saeed Naqvi and Nelson Mandela; Naqvi traveled with a Doordarshan television crew.
- What
- Naqvi recounts reporting on Mandela’s release and reaching him for an interview on his first day out of prison.
- When
- February 11, 1990, the day Mandela was released.
- Where
- South Africa, including Victor Verster Prison near Cape Town and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s home.
- Why
- Naqvi went to cover Mandela’s release and interview him for a television report.
- Journalist
- Saeed Naqvi
- Subject
- Nelson Mandela’s release from prison
- Release date
- February 11, 1990
- Prison
- Victor Verster Prison, outside Cape Town
- Time in prison
- 27 years, according to Naqvi’s account
- Television crew
- Naqvi traveled with a crew working under a Doordarshan contract
- Customs guarantee
- Half a million rands was required as surety for the crew’s equipment