Almost 20 years safter being released from prison and about 14 years since the advent of democracy in South Africa, Nelson Mandela is finally able to loose the tag, ‘terrorist’.

The US Congress has finally passed a bill to remove the name of Nelson Mandela from the list of terrorists.

Since the 1980s a stigma has remained that relates to the African National Congress (ANC), the current South African ruling party and the party which Mandela led. When applying for a US visa those with ANC membership have, until now, had to endure additional investigation.

The US has strict immigration laws that attempt to curb terrorist or potential suspicious entry into the country. However “old legislation such as this that is outdated and not needed should be removed,” says Colin Romberger of www.globalvisas.com, this new bill has therefore been welcomed.

“Congress finally stands ready to rid US immigration law of this anachronistic blight,” said Howard L. Berman, the bill’s author.

This legislation, decided upon on Thursday, now needs to be signed off by President George W Bush. (TB)