Occasion - Presidential address to the ANC (Transvaal) Congress Summary - The political climate has changed from the successes of the Campaign for the Defiance of Unjust Laws of 1952 and the ANC must be prepared with a new approach and with a strong and disciplined membership. The new approach is called the "M" Plan and calls for active recruitment and action at the grassroots level. This will enable the ANC to function without calling attention to itself. There is no place in the ANC for those opposed to the "M" Plan.
Occasion - Address to the Conference of the Pan-African Freedom Movement of East and Central Africa Summary - This address summaries the assistance that the international community, especially African states, has given to the freedom fighters in South Africa. It outlines the political and social situation in South Africa and the ANC's responses and move from policies of non-violence to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. The people's resolve to fight is steadfast but the continued support of PAFMECA is crucial.
This statement, issued after the positive response to a three day strike, announces a second phase in the fight against Verwoerd, a country-wide campaign of non-cooperation, and announces a National Convention. It also explains his decision, in accordance with the advice of the National Action Council, to carry on his political work underground rather than leaving the country or giving himself up for arrest to a government he did not recognise.
Occasion -Statement of the Campaign's aims Summary - This statement focuses on the support by masses of volunteers from all races for the first stages of the Defiance of Unjust Laws Campaign. It also reiterates the main aims of the Campaign: to oppose an unjust system and struggle for freedom for non-Europeans.
Occasion: Mandela's call after the Soweto uprising of 1976 Presentation notes: This message was Mandela's call after the Soweto uprising of 1976. It was published by the ANC on 10 June 1980, with an introduction by O R Tambo, President of the ANC at the time.
This message, from the leaders in Pollsmoor and Robben Island prisons, and signed on their behalf by Nelson Mandela, was read to the Conference and later presented to a press conference in Lusaka on 25 June 1985 by the President of the ANC, Oliver Tambo.
First public speech by Mandela in 27 years, after his release from prison. Mandela ends this address with a quote from his speech from the dock given at Rivonia trial in 1964. Note he is quoting from the prepared speech and not as he actually delivered at the trial. Both the verbatim and prepared speeches are reproduced.
Occasion: First address in Durban after his release from prison Presentation notes: Text in CAPITALS indicates where the address was delivered in Zulu. Pangas referred to in the text are machetes, widely used in Natal's sugar growing areas for cutting cane. Rev. John Langalibelele Dube, first President of the ANC and Pixley ka Isaka Seme, ANC founder member and its President between 1930-7, are referred to in paragraph 5. The "1986 Indaba solution" was a proposal for a change in the structure of regional government in Natal "Asinamali", means we have no money, and was a slogan of the 1983 campaign against rent increases in Durban townships.