Nelson Mandela: Inaugural Address

Questions for Further Study

• 1.: The inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president of South Africa was celebrated worldwide as a historical event of major importance. Why do you think this was so?
• 2.: For more than four decades, since the passage of apartheid laws in 1948, the South African authorities resisted calls for a democratic form of government. Why do you think that resistance broke down? What factors led to the emergence of a democratic form of government and the election of Mandela as president?
• 3.: Examine the rhetoric of Mandela's speech. What images does he create? How does the “poetry” of the speech add to the spirit of reconciliation that Mandela strove for?
• 4.: What economic interests did F. W. de Klerk and his administration have to overcome to effect a fundamental alteration in South Africa's government?
• 5.: Some form of racial prejudice and discrimination exists in virtually every country in the world, or at least is perceived to exist. Why do you think such prejudice and discrimination specifically in South Africa became the focus of worldwide attention?