Some NIU students and faculty are happy but wary about the recent legalization of the African National Congress and Nelson Mandela’s possible release from prison.

South African President F.W. de Klerk announced Friday the African National Congress would be legal and promised a quick release of Mandela as anti-apartheid activists rejoiced.

De Klerk’s announcements come in time for Black History Month.

“It’s great,” said Black Student Union President Chris O’Banner. “It’s a long time coming. He really should never have been jailed.”

O’Banner said he “will be overjoyed” when Mandela is released but is waiting until it actually happens.

He said he is waiting because he believes de Klerk will not meet Mandela’s demands for release from prison unless both can benefit. He added if Mandela is actually released there will be “both physical and psychological changes” throughout South Africa.

Robert Albritton, associate professor of political science said “it seems Mandela plans to stay in prison and be a revolutionary symbol” and reiterated de Klerk has not yet met Mandela’s conditions.

“I don’t think he’ll be freed on his own conditions,” said John Quilico, co-chairman of the proposed NIU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Quilico said de Klerk will most likely try to please the public while meeting as few of Mandela’s demands as possible. He also said although the ANC is now legal, its reestablishment is in doubt.

He also said the freeing of Mandela “will not cause a revolution by any means” and does not see Mandela’s liberation as directly affecting NIU.

“I think many students are aware of the South African situation and apartheid and many can relate,” Quilico said.

Mandela’s release and the changes in the race-torn country are “a beacon of hope for African-American students,” he said.

“It’s one step in a line of progress in which the present South African democracy is crumbling,” Albritton said. “The republic acknowledges that they have to compromise…clearly the white resistance to democratic rule is in progress of collapse.”

“It’s a big change already since Mandela is making demands,” O’Banner said. “It’ll affect the whole world. It affects me now.”