Introduction
Nelson Mandela rose at a critical time in the history of South Africa. After being elected to the office in 1948, the Nationalist Party initiated a racial segregation policy of apartheid. This led to resentment of the repressive laws, and some African leaders were arrested while others got killed by the authorities. Of great importance was the apprehension of Mandela that further awakened the clamor for independence in the Africans especially after delivering a speech on the trial day, in his defense. As evident, Mandela’s address highlighted the injustices of the segregationist regime against Africans.
Mandela and Nationalism
At the center of struggle for independence in South Africa was a great nationalist, Nelson Mandela. In his youthful days, he grew up in Transkei and spent quality time with his elders listening to their folk tales (Mandela 2). The traditional stories which he was told inspired in him the strong desire to defend his fatherland. Later, in his political life after joining African National Congress (ANC), he helped in the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, a radical wing of the ANC party (Mandela 1). Mandela became the driver of ANC resisters by acquiring driver’s license in March 1952 (Harms 578). He was arrested in 1962 and later tried in 1964 alongside other nineteen leaders of ANC by the segregationist government for their substantive roles against apartheid policies (Mandela 1). Remarkably, Mandela’s efforts awakened nationalism among the indigenous people of South Africa.
Mandela’s Speech at the Dock
Oratory skills were evident from Mandela’s speech right at the onset of his defense statement to the end of his presentation. In fact, historians contend that the discourse was the best among the addresses he ever gave. The actual audience to whom this particular speech was directed was the presiding judge in his case as he kept on referring to the honorific word “My Lord” (Mandela 1). From further analysis of the talk, the intended target audience was the apartheid regime that was oppressing the indigenous Africans. The reason as to why Mandela could be viewed as addressing the government was because his articulation justified the reason as to why he through his organization resorted to ferocity despite their strong adherence to non-violence policies (Mandela 3). Moreover, Mandela ends his speech by reaffirming the ideals which he stood for and his preparedness to die for them. Unarguably, he was presenting the grievances of his African people to the government and at the same time communicating the importance equality to all races.
Again, choosing to speak for long by Mandela during his trial is an indication of clear objectives, his speech was to achieve. He knew quite well that as they had been charged, the authorities had powers to corroborate all the evidence it had against them for purposes of prosecution. Therefore, he was informing the government and the world, of the atrocities that had been committed against them as the South African natives. Nevertheless, the court allowed him to proceed with making his case because it was the opportune moment that the judicature had granted Mandela to defend himself as an accused person. Evidently, the long speech served his purpose of justifying his actions and explaining the course he championed.
There are different themes regarding Mandela’s “I Am Prepared to Die” famous speech. Mandela’s defense on the misdeeds he was accused of by the regime is one of the arguments that was evident in the speech. Although he firstly admitted that he organized the sabotage and committed violence he then refuted claims of instigating attacks against persons in the country (Mandela 3). His defense was based on the ideals of democracy, autonomy, peaceful-coexistence and equality for all (Mandela 15). Additionally, Mandela argues on the plight of the indigenous South African people. He speaks of the poor working conditions, the killings and the repressive policies which the Africans have been subjected (Mandela 14). Mandela was guided by the need to attract both national and international sympathy and therefore persuade them to champion for equality in South Africa. As evident, the main arguments in the speech were defense against the charges, and the plight of the native Africans under the apartheid regime.
Principles and Practice of Apartheid
Mandela’s speech is of great importance in understanding the principles and practice of apartheid. First, Africans were invariably under police surveillance through the pass laws (Mandela 13). Secondly, the indigenous South African children got deprived of opportunity to acquire education (Mandela 13). Thirdly, the non-white workers were receiving poor pay for their labour (Mandela 14). Moreover, apartheid policies segregated black inhabitants from the cities by moving them to suburb townships (Iliffe 282). Truly, Mandela’s speech captures the fundamental concepts in which the segregationist policies were grounded.
Conclusion
In summary, Nelson Mandela’s speech was a great tool in emancipation of the African masses from the colonial atrocities. Mandela’s liberation ideals and beliefs were acquired while still a young man in Transkei, South Africa. With his great eloquence, Mandela addressed the apartheid regime indirectly while justifying his actions. Interestingly, the court allowed him enough time to argue his case. Mandela’s mentioning of atrocities of the oppressive government helped further in discrediting the regime’s reputation before the international community. Therefore, the famous speech served the important purpose of disclosing the principles and practice of apartheid to the whole world.
Works Cited
Iliffe, John. Africans: “Industrial and Race in South Africa, 1886-1994.” The History of a Continent, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2017, pp.273-287.
Mandela, Nelson. “I Am Prepared To Die”. The Supreme Court of South Africa. Opening of the
Defense Case in the Rivonia Trial, 20th Apr. 1964, Palace of Justice, Pretoria. Defense Statement.
Harms, Robert. “Struggles For Political Independence, 1940-1968.” Africa in Global History with Sources, WW Norton, 2018, pp.577-584.