Even after 1949 the ANC remained determined to avoid violence. At this time, however, there was a change from the strictly constitutional means of protest which had been employed in the past. The change was embodied in a decision which was taken to protest against apartheid legislation by peaceful, but unlawful, demonstrations against certain laws. Pursuant to this policy the ANC launched the Defiance Campaign, in which I was placed in charge of volunteers. This campaign was based on the principles of passive resistance. More than

8 500 people defied apartheid laws and went to gaol. Yet there was not a single instance of violence in the course of this campaign on the part of any defier. I and nineteen colleagues were convicted for the role which we played in organising the campaign, and this conviction was under the Suppression of Communism Act although our campaign had nothing to do with Communism, but our sentences were suspended, mainly because the judge found that discipline and non-violence had been stressed throughout. This was the time when the volunteer section of the ANC was established, and when the word "Amadelakufa" was first used: this was the time when the volunteers were asked to take a pledge to uphold certain principles. Evidence dealing with volunteers and their pledges has been introduced into this case, but completely out of context. The volunteers were not, and are not, the soldiers of a Black army pledged to fight a civil war against the Whites. They were, and are, dedicated workers who are prepared to lead campaigns initiated by the ANC, to distribute leaflets, to organise strikes, or to do whatever the particular campaign required. They are called volunteers because they volunteer to face the penalties of imprisonment and whipping which are not prescribed by the legislature for such acts.

… when in 1961 Umkhonto was formed, and a new phase of struggle was introduced, we realised that these events would make a heavy call on our slender resources, and that the scale of our activities would be hampered by lack of funds. One of my instructions, as I went abroad in January 1962, was to raise funds from the African states.

I must add that, whilst abroad, I had discussions with leaders of political movements in Africa and discovered that almost every single one of them, in areas which had still not obtained independence, had received all forms of assistance from the socialist countries, as well as from the West, including that of financial support. I also discovered that some well-known African states, all of them non-Communists, and even anti-Communists, had received similar assistance.

On my return to the Republic, I made a strong recommendation to the ANC that we should not confine ourselves to Africa and the Western countries, but that we should also send a mission to the socialist countries to raise the funds which we so urgently needed … 

… As I understand the State case and in particular the evidence of X, Umkhonto was the inspiration of the Communist Party which sought, by playing upon imaginary grievances, to enrol the African people into an army which ostensibly was to fight for African freedom but in reality was fighting for a communist state.

The Republic was born in the aftermath of the riots which broke out in Sharpeville and other urban areas during 1960. Some foreign investors who read in these events an insecure future for South Africa, attempted to dispose of their South African assets ...

During the three years after the riots, not only did the recollection of those events fade and the pessimistic atmosphere created by them diminish in intensity, but entrepreneurs also became conditioned to the fact that we live in a dangerous world and that the time would probably never, or not soon, arrive when foreign criticism and pressure on South Africa, which are fraught with potential dangers, would cease … 

And so the Republic celebrated its fifth birthday in the midst of prosperity and with a high level of economic activity.

As a South African, I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today in the land of king Shaka, whose name is known across the globe.

This is the land of King Cetshwayo, whose armies defeated the seemingly invincible colonial armies of the British Empire at Isandlwana.

It is the land of Nkosi Bambata, who turned the Inkandla forest into a permanent monument to the courage and heroism of an African people in defence of their right to freedom and self-determination.

I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today at the home of John Langalibalele Dube, the patriot and co-founder of the ANC.

This, also, is the home of Pixley ka Isaka Seme, the patriot and co-founder of the ANC.

I am proud that Africa is taking the great step forward she is taking today at the home of Nkosi Albert Luthuli, the first African winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

AJ Luthuli was president of the ANC of John Dube and Pixley Seme at the moment in time when, under his leadership, this parliament of the African people transformed itself into a fighting force, whose heroic actions opened the door to our emancipation.

I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today at the temporary home of Mahatma Gandhi.

He taught us what we needed to know to achieve our liberation.