NELSON MANDELA

The struggle for democracy in South Africa is growing stronger every day. The political organisations of the oppressed people are forging stronger ties between themselves and the masses. A high degree of political understanding has been achieved. The people have become more conscious of their strength and they cry defiance to the racial policies of the Government. In the past, we talked of the struggle of the African people, the Indian struggle and the struggle of the Coloured people. There was co-ordination neither among these groups nor with those white progressives who fought for equality. But today the people have come to realise the urgent necessity of mobilising, through their respective organisations, all democrats, black and white, to resist and conquer reaction by united effort.

-Nelson Mandela, "Towards Democratic Unity", Liberation, November 1953.