Leading struggle against apartheid from "summary" of Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela
My mission, my calling, was clear: to fight against the system of apartheid that had oppressed my people for so long. It was a struggle that consumed me, body and soul, for decades. From the moment I joined the African National Congress, I knew that I was committing myself to a life of resistance, defiance, and sacrifice.
The fight against apartheid was not a simple one. It was not just a matter of protesting or writing letters to the government. It was a daily battle, fought on multiple fronts - in the streets, in the courts, in the hearts and minds of our people. It required courage, determination, and an unshakeable belief in the righteousness of our cause.
I knew that I could not lead this struggle alone. I needed the support of my comrades, my fellow activists, my fellow South Africans. Together, we formed a united front against the forces of oppression, standing shoulder to shoulder in the face of violence, intimidation, and injustice. We were a movement, a force to be reckoned with, and we would not be silenced.
As the leader of this movement, I bore a heavy burden. I was not just responsible for myself, but for the thousands of men and women who had placed their trust in me. I had to make tough decisions, to take risks, to lead by example. I had to be a beacon of hope in the darkest of times, a voice of reason in the midst of chaos.
But I was not afraid. I knew that the struggle against apartheid was bigger than any one person, bigger than any one leader. It was a collective effort, a shared vision of a better, more just future for all South Africans. And I was proud to play my part, to stand at the forefront of this historic fight for freedom and equality.
