Speeches That Shaped South Africa by Martha Evans is a compelling collection of some of the most influential, controversial and memorable speeches in modern South African history. Published by Penguin Books in Cape Town in 2017, this substantial volume brings together political speeches and public addresses spanning the period from the rise of apartheid in 1948 through to the post-apartheid era. The print edition carries ISBN 9781776091416 and runs to approximately 370 pages.
Rather than simply reproducing historic speeches, Speeches That Shaped South Africa provides commentary that places each address within its political and historical context, examining the circumstances in which it was delivered and the impact it had. The result is both a primary-source collection and an accessible work of South African political history.
The collection opens with D.F. Malan's 1948 National Party campaign speech and proceeds through pivotal moments involving figures such as Yusuf Dadoo, Lilian Ngoyi, Robert Sobukwe, Albert Luthuli, Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela. It includes Mandela's famous statement from the Rivonia Trial, Steve Biko's Black Consciousness address, Winnie Mandela's political speeches, Oliver Tambo's "Year of the Women" address and P.W. Botha's notorious "Rubicon" speech.
The later sections of Speeches That Shaped South Africa follow the dramatic transition to democracy, featuring F.W. de Klerk's 1990 parliamentary address, Mandela's release and inauguration speeches, Thabo Mbeki's celebrated "I am an African" address, Nkosi Johnson's AIDS conference speech, and contributions from Julius Malema, Jacob Zuma, Mmusi Maimane and Barbara Hogan.
For readers interested in South African history, apartheid, the liberation struggle, political oratory and the transition to democracy, Speeches That Shaped South Africa offers a fascinating way to revisit the country's twentieth- and early twenty-first-century history through the words of the people who helped shape it.
Condition: Very Good - Light shelf wear and foxing present. Signed and inscribed by author.
