We felt that without violence there would be no way open to the [African] people to succeed in their struggle against the principle of [white supremacy]. All la

We felt that without violence there would be no way open to the [African] people to succeed in their struggle against the principle of [white supremacy]. All lawful modes of expressing opposition to this principle had been closed by legislation, and we were placed in a position in which we had either to accept a permanent state of inferiority, or to defy the Government. We chose to defy the law. We first broke the law in a way which avoided any recourse to violence; when this form was legislated against, and then the Government resorted to a show of force to crush opposition to its policies, only then did we decide to answer violence with violence. But the violence which we chose to adopt was not terrorism. We who formed [Umkhonto] were all members of the [African National Congress], and had behind us the [ANC] tradition of non-violence and negotiation as a means of solving political disputes. We believe that [South Africa] belongs to all the people who live in it, and not to one group..."[1] Interesting, and as always, relevant words. [1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nelson-mandela-life-story--the-speeches-an-ideal-for-which-i-am-prepared-to-die-8406469.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nelson-mandel...