Independence Movements in South Africa (lead by Nelson Mandela) 

Mia, Dylan 
 
Speech Facts: 
1. How did you gain independence, and from whom?  
South Africa gained independence from Britain eight years after the second Boer 
War and 4 years of negotiation. The British Parliament granted nominal 
independence to South Africa, and created the Union of South Africa. Territories 
under direct British rule gained independence by 1968. South African officially gained 
independence in 1994, when blacks gained the right to vote. 
2. What system of government replaced the imperial ruler?  
The government of South Africa operates under a parliamentary system as a 
representative democratic republic. Which means that the general population elects 
individuals to represent their interests. 
3. How was your economy impacted? Which economic system is best for 
you? Which country do you support in the Cold War, the US, USSR, or 
neither? 
The economy was mostly capitalist, but also a little bit socialist. South Africa 
supported neither country in the cold war. 
4. What challenges face your country post-independence, both from within 
your country, and from lasting impacts of imperialism?  
One of the most pressing challenges African states faced at Independence was their 
lack of infrastructure. Inexperienced leadership was a big challenge that South Africa 
faced. South Africa was lacking on energy resources for their country, they had to 
depend on Western colonies for most of their energy resources. 
 
Speech: 
My name is Nelson Mandela, and I represent South Africa’s independence and 
decolonization movements. For years, I have been fighting for the freedom of my 
people. In 1968, territories directly under British rule gained independence. The British 
Parliament granted us nominal independence and created the Union of South Africa. 
However, this was not the end of our struggle. We officially gained independence in 
1994, when black people gained the right to vote. The government of South Africa is 
a multi-party democracy, meaning that the general population elects individuals to 
reflect their interests. As far as our economy, we are mostly capitalist, but also a little 
socialist. In the great struggle of the Cold War, my country did not support the U.S, 
or the USSR, we were neutral. One of our most pressing challenges we have faced at 
independence is inexperienced leadership. I am proud to say that I have sparked a 
change in addressing this challenge. Thank you. 
 
Quotes: 
-1964 from the dock of the Pretoria courtroom, he had been in jail two years 
already- 
“​Above all, My Lord, we want equal political rights, because without them our 
disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this 
country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man 
fear democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only 
solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that 
the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on 
colour, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one 
colour group by another.” 
 
“Our struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by 
our own suffering and our own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live. During 
my lifetime I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have 
fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have 
cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live 
together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to 
live for and to see realised. But, My Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am 
prepared to die.” 
 
 
Resolutions of the Summit: 
1. Vote to affirm the 5 Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (Mutual 
respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, Mutual 
non-aggression, Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs, Equality and 
mutual benefit, Peaceful co-existence) 
 
2. Should our conference, and by extension our member states, support and 
adopt free-market capitalism, or state-planned communism?  
Yes, free-market capitalism. 
3. Should our conference, and by extension our member states, support and 
adopt multi-party democracies, one party democracies, or strong and 
stable authoritarian governments?  
Yes, multi-party democracies. 
4. Should our conference, and by extension our member states, support and 
endorse nonviolent resistance as a means to achieve decolonization, or 
violent revolution?  
Yes, we should support nonviolent resistance as a means to achieve decolonization. 
This is what worked for us, South Africa. By peacefully resisting, we took the high 
road and eventually gained freedom. 
5. Should our conference, and by extension our member states, support and 
endorse positive economic, cultural, and political relationships with our 
former European colonizers? 
Relationships with former European colonizers should be kept mostly positive, but 
former colonizers should not be allowed to control us.