South African History Online

Statement by CDE Nelson R Mandela President of the ANC on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of MK

Johannesburg, 16 December 1993

Master of Ceremonies
Ladies and Gentlemen
Comrades and friends

I am overwhelmed by the great feeling of glory and pride which permeates the
air in this stadium today. Those of us who stand at the helm of your
organisation, the ANC, and our popular army, Umkhonto we Sizwe, are moved to the
highest possible level of satisfaction in the near conclusion of a mission we
set ourselves to accomplish, this day, 32 years ago. A mission, which shall find
its historic emblazonement in the establishment of a genuinely free and
democratic South Africa come April 27th 1994. It is therefore right and proper
that as we celebrate what is perhaps the last national occasion of MK as a
liberation army, we should pause to salute the entire officer corps of MK, the
numerous commanders and commissars here gathered, the complex of martyred heroes
and heroines, the maimed and disabled veterans of the liberation struggle, as
well as those of us who are still fit and willing to join the new national
defence force which is to be established in the coming period.

I elect this moment to ask you to rise up in solemn remembrance to all our
fallen comrades who remained loyal to their assigned tasks up to the very last.
As you stand erect, in recognition of the unparalleled heroism, dedication and
commitment of our erstwhile comrades, I ask of you a pledge to remember them to
our people and to posterity. Immortalise their memory through good deeds and the
force of example in your contribution towards a future of hope and justice for
all. I have no doubt in my mind that what we ask of you today cannot be any less
than what that greatest of South African leaders, O.R. Tambo and that matchless
commander Chris Hani, would have asked you to do. Let us observe a moment of
silence in memory of our gallant heroes and heroines.

Dear Comrades

The significance of this event is graphically captured in the presentation of
Army Commander, Joe Modise. Coming as it does on the eve of our country's entry
into a new democratic political dispensation, it is a fitting tribute to the
sacrifices of all our people, combatants and non-combatants alike, have had to
make over the years.

It is an occasion meant to celebrate our liberation effort on the battlefield
and yet, an occasion we have to use in our rededication to peace, freedom and
stability. If in the past Umkhonto we Sizwe was the spear of the nation, the
time has indeed come for it to assume the role of the shield of the nation,
acting together with other democratic formations, to defend the democratic
values which we cherish and aim to uphold throughout the difficult but exciting
years ahead of us. Concomitantly, we must invite all our compatriots to join us
in an all-round commitment to peace by effectively closing the era of armed
conflict and concentrate on the reconstruction and development of the country.

As MK prepares to be in the integrative process regarding military
formations, we trust that the fundamental principle that "our military line
grows out of our political line" will continue to inform our perspectives. Even
though we are committed to the creation of a new defence force which must be
apolitical in its form and content, it is imperative that products of MK must be
in the forefront of efforts to improve standards in the new defence structures,
by amongst other things, maintaining the highest standards of discipline and an
undying thirst for knowledge, and more knowledge. For it is the power of
knowledge, acquired formally or empirically, that can sustain any institution or
organisation in its flight towards excellence. We charge you to carry this all-
embracing truth into the new military establishment we are about to put into
place.

Dear Friends

For almost three decades, our army and people were compelled to engage in a
war of the disadvantaged against the privileged, a slow but intense war of
attrition. In the process many of you lost opportunities for un-hindered
self-improvement and upgrading in the various disciplines and skills
departments. This great sacrifices you made as you pledged all your mental and
physical energies for victory over the most reactionary circles of South African
racism represented by the system of apartheid. Today, as we stand on the
threshold of an epochal transition into a new democratic order you must
justifiably feel proud of your noble endeavours. But always remember to live by
the dictum made famous at the close of World War II, "in victory, magnanimity".

The very reasons at the base of our just struggle for freedom which form the
core of our system of democratic beliefs must now drive us to a new plateau of
gallant submission to the spirit of tolerance and national reconciliation. We
need to summon all our intelligent courage in rallying to the protection of the
genuine interest of all our people irrespective of race, colour, creed or sex.
It is expected of us to assist the incoming government in its arduous task of
reshaping the fortunes and fate of our great country. Conversely, it is the duty
of the new government to ensure that your educational and welfare needs as loyal
servants of the nation are adequately met within the limits of the broad
economic climate.

Comrades and friends.

Now that the TEC is in place, we are confronted with the reality that
disgruntled political factions, particularly on the far right of the political
scene, are coalescing into a potential source of internal destabilisation and
conflict. Treated hypothetically, this development might seem to be a minor
irritant.

But the fact of incessant sabre-rattling and threats of civil war by certain
pockets within the rightwing fold is enough cause for concern. This situation
calls for the undivided attention of the TEC, the entire democratic forces as
well as concerned citizens at large in order to thwart the ignoble intentions of
these veritable spoilers.

We of the ANC went to the negotiating table with a clear understanding that
the content and flow of debates must be informed by the cherished ideals of
South Africans from all walks of life and political persuasions. No greater
legitimacy to the process of transition can be found outside this support given
to the Kempton Park undertaking by the majority of our people. The point
however, is that we sincerely hold on to our conviction that in order to assuage
feelings and boost confidence in the future, we must continuously engage in
frank and open discussion even with those who seek to put the clock back.
Nevertheless, we aim never to countenance any secret agendas from whatever
quarter, the government included.

Comrades and friends.

The ANC has a mammoth responsibility to ensure that the forthcoming election
is not only successful, but is also held in an atmosphere of peace. This will be
the litmus test for anybody who claim to have the interest of the people at
heart and seek to carry them forward to democracy and the pursuit of life and
liberty.

On this historic day, the 32nd anniversary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, we are proud
to place on record the heroic role played by this peoples army in bringing about
the changes we are witnessing today. South Africa is where it is, thanks to the
contribution and sacrifices you comrades, commanders, officers, commissars and
the soldiers of Umkhonto we Sizwe made.

We call upon you to go forward with the same resolve, commitment and
determination as you join with all other armed formations in the creation of a
new defence force for our country. As fighters for democracy we expect of you to
bring into that new army, the democratic culture that has been our inspiration
as a movement and on army of resistance. With your heroic exploits - we believe
MK is ready to meet the challenge of transformation.