the question of violence
I planned sabotage
I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness
nor because I have any
love
of violence
a calm and sober assessment of the political situation
years of tyranny, exploitation, and oppression of my people
violence by the African people had become inevitable
without violence there would be no way
to succeed
against
white supremacy
We chose to defy the law
to answer violence with violence
South Africa belongs to all
people
In the words of my leader:
“What have been the fruits of moderation?
No self-respecting White political organization
would disband
itself if declared illegal by a government in which it had no say
It would be unrealistic
to continue preaching peace and non-violence
when the Government met our peaceful demands with force
Manifesto of Umkhonto
“The time comes in the life of any nation
where there are only two choices–submit or fight.
That time has now come to South Africa.
We have no choice but to hit back
by all means in our power
in defense of
our people
our future and
our freedom”
the ANC
would no longer disapprove of properly controlled violence
when we decided to adopt violence
we realized that we might one day
face the prospect of
war
Four forms of violence:
sabotage
guerrilla warfare
terrorism
open revolution
compelling
voters
to reconsider their position
attacks
on the economic life-lines of the country
on Government buildings
and
symbols of apartheid
a source of inspiration to our people
strict instructions
that on no account were they to injure or kill people
and people began to speculate on how soon freedom would be obtained
we must succeed, but at what cost to ourselves and the rest of the country?
African Nationalism
is not
expressed in the cry, Drive the White man into the sea
African Nationalism
is
the concept of freedom and fulfillment for the African people
rebellion would offer the Government limitless opportunities
for the indiscriminate slaughter of our people
I started to
study of the art of war and revolution
Clausewitz
Mao Tse Tung
Che Guevara
white supremacy implies black inferiority
they do not realize that they
have emotions–that they fall in love
like white people do
we want equal political rights
I know this sounds revolutionary
This makes the white man fear democracy
I have fought
against white domination
and
against black domination
a democratic and free society
an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve
an ideal for which I am prepared to die
culled from: http://www.leebobblack.com/poems/nelson-mandela-i-am-prepared-to-die
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TRIBUTE TO TATA
Adieu Tata!
From the trouble waters
An icon of hope
An icon of hope
Clogging your nostrils
And the cowardly man-hunters
Aiding your perch on anthills;
Your kicked bucket spill
Tears of ceaseless joy,
Like the pregnant [1]Amanzimtoti;
Freely lending your mouth
To the boughs of the Indian Ocean
Adieu Madiba!
From the scourge of [2]Rolihlahla
To the boon of the people’s [3]Tata,
You jilted the ignoble splendor of wigs
For the more noble regalia of twigs;
The magnified crown of [4]Thembu,
For the miniaturized gown of [5]Robben Island,
Gulping the brutal pills of oppression
That we may gain freedom, from the cuffs
Of racism; and the manacles of injustice
Adieu Tata Madiba!
Fort-Hare and Beaufort, trumpet adieu!
To the resilient Negro of anti-apartheid
The one-man soldier of pro-liberation,
Whose cannons of candled peace
Voyaged beyond borders of the Atlantic;
Whose manured sweat wattled sterile-deserts
Into manicured springs of watered fertile-forests
Adieu Mandela! Your demise gladdens my heart
Cos you left for me, no stone yet unturned.
Eulogy in honour of the great Madiba; the father of African pro-liberation (Nelson Mandela: 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013), on his glorious exit to the great beyond. Tata Madiba, I rejoice at your demise b‘cos you left for me, no stone yet unturned.
©Iyeomoan Ema-Zogie; University of Benin, Nigeria.
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