Nelson Mandela’s Historic Political Rally
On 1 April 1990, African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President, Nelson Mandela, addressed a crowd of over 300 000 supporters in Port Elizabeth in what was described as South Africa’s biggest ever political rally. Mandela was returning as a free man, definitely standing above those who had jailed him for so many years.
Even though South Africa still remained a prison for the oppressed masses, his return to the political scene certainly changed the political atmosphere in South Africa and the Southern Africa region. Just as he had spoken and acted with authority behind the grey prison wall, he carried himself and spoke with a great deal of command as a released leader. As a prisoner, he was a symbol of resistance for all the political prisoners, and as a free man, he symbolised the people’s will to continue to fight until victory.
Mandela spoke about his feelings at meeting comrades he had previously worked with and those he had never seen before. He said he was certain that the organisation he served. and the organisation which led the fight to a new South Africa, was in safe hands. For Mandela, the brave warriors of Umkhonto we Sizwe needed to be saluted for their immeasurable contribution to the struggle for peace. “I salute all those who have fallen in battle. You have not died in vain. Martyrs to our cause, your courage enables us to remain unflinchingly committed to our goal of creating a non-racial democracy i
