John Stremlau : Atlanta , Georgia ( CNN ) -- 20 years ago today , Nelson Mandela was released from Cape Town jail . Stremlau : After 27 years , Mandela emerged `` without bitterness , with a smile on his face and the confidence of knowing that he had done all in his power to bring about change for South Africa's black people. Mandela maintains commitment to democracy , freedom and rule of law , he writes . Mandela is inspiration in troubled nation that desperately needs it , Stremlau says .
John Stremlau : 20 years ago today , Nelson Mandela was released from Cape Town jail . Stremlau : After 27 years , Mandela emerged `` without bitterness , with a smile on his face and the confidence of knowing that he had done all in his power to bring about change for South Africa's black people. Mandela maintains commitment to democracy , freedom and rule of law , he writes . Mandela is inspiration in troubled nation that desperately needs it , Stremlau says .