Nelson Mandela’s Release from Prison

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18th, 1918. He was the first democratically elected as the black president of South Africa. His purpose was to abolish apartheid in South Africa. He died on December 5th, 2018. Mandela was a very respected man and he impacted a lot of people’s lives.

“In 1961, Mandela was arrested for treason, and although acquired he was arrested again in 1962 for illegally leaving the country.” “Mandela was convicted and sentenced to 5 years at Robben Island Prison.” “Mandela was put on trail again in 1964 for charges of sabotage.” “In June 1964, he was convicted along with several other ANC leaders and Mandela was sentenced to life in prison.” (History.Com)

The background to Mandela’s speech was because due to his trail of being imprisoned for 27 years to life in prison. His conditions in jail were horrible, Mandela was locked into a very tiny cell because he was considered as a “political prisoner” (Smith W.) Smith then indicates that “Mandela came to terms with his capturers decisions and eventually became forgiving and realized that he had to unite South Africa instead of trying to father divide it.” The quote listed above was the reason that the speech declined as president shortly after Mandela was released from prison.

There is a couple of reasons why Mandela said the speech. One of the reasons why was to have equal rights for South Africa. Mandela wanted to bring the whites and blacks together. Then, Mandela wanted to inspire his people of South Africa. Mandela wanted to get his message out to his people and he wanted to make a great impact on their lives. “Mandela’s speech was an international and nationwide broadcast.” “His speech was a state-of-the-nation-address.” “His message was meant to show other countries that South Africa was a model state.” (Smith, W)

When Mandela started to introduce his speech, he introduces patriotism “Friends, comrades and fellow South Africans”. Smith also indicates that Mandela refers to his leadership saying, “I stand here before you not as a prophet set as a humble servant of you, the people.”

In Conclusion, Mandela starts a call to arms. “Our March to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way.” “Smith then indicates that Mandela ended his speech by quoting his own words from his trial in 1964, reinforcing his call to arms, as well as giving the audience an idea of what how determined and passionate he is”. “Mandela quoted “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination.” “I have cherished the ideal of democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.” “It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”. (Smith, W)

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