On 15 October 1989 Ahmed Kathrada, along with Jeff Masemola, Raymond Mhlaba, Billy Nair, Wilton Mkwayi, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motsoaledi, Oscar Mpetha, and Walter Sisulu were released from Johannesburg prison.
The return to Bettina and Walter Sisulu's house in Soweto, Desmond Tutu attended.