Nelson Mandela on Non-Violence

Nelson Mandela's core position on non-violence was rooted in the African National Congress (ANC) tradition, which emphasized constitutional struggle and peaceful, though sometimes unlawful, demonstrations like the Defiance Campaign. He and his colleagues initially chose to answer government force with controlled violence, specifically sabotage, only after realizing that fifty years of non-violence had resulted only in more repressive legislation and the closure of all peaceful protest avenues. He maintained that this decision, which led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, was not taken lightly, but rather as a morally obligatory step when facing inevitable violence from the oppressive regime.

His approach evolved significantly, moving from strict adherence to non-violence to a pragmatic justification for armed struggle, specifically targeting economic infrastructure to avoid loss of life and minimize future racial bitterness. Even after adopting violence, he continually aimed to avoid civil war and sought a negotiated resolution, famously refusing conditional release that required renouncing violence while the government remained armed. Later in life, as president, he championed peace and non-violence, appealing for dialogue and reason to resolve global differences.