Academics from as far afield as Russia and Britain gathered to commemorate the fall of Berlin Wall at Rhodes University in Grahamstown last night. The fall of the wall, which coincided with the release of former President Nelson Mandela was a key event marking the end of the Cold War.

Professor Gary Baines of Rhodes' History Department argues that the fall of the Wall contributed towards a shift in the local political climate.

“I think the climate change as a result of the fall of the wall gave former South Africa State President FW De Klerk some space to negotiate Nelson Mandela’s release. But, of course you must bear in mind that Mandela’s release was preceded by that of other ANC long standing  members that have been in Robben Island,” says Professor Bianes.

World leaders yesterday hailed the ordinary people who helped bring down the Berlin Wall and said the historic events of 20 years ago showed nations were capable of rising to new challenges, from terrorism to climate change.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders from Britain, France and Russia greeted tens of thousands who braved pouring rain at the Brandenburg Gate last night to celebrate the anniversary of the wall's collapse, which paved the way for German unification and the end of the Cold War.

Reunified Germany

"Together we brought down the Iron Curtain and I am convinced this can give us the strength for the 21st century," said Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany and crossed the wall herself the night of November, 9, 1989.

The grim weather did not prevent people from packing the square in front of the Gate, once a desolate no-man's land and now a powerful symbol of a reunified Germany.

Countless others watched from balconies, while some lined side streets to catch a glimpse of the leaders as they strode through the Gate from East to West, retracing the steps of Berliners who stormed the Wall 20 years ago.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the wall's collapse was a call to "fight against the walls that still exist in our world and which still divide cities, regions and nations." – Additional reporting by Reuters