The "Spear of the Nation" (MK) was the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC) founded in 1961 when Nelson Mandela lost hope in non-violent resistance to apartheid. MK used sabotage, bombings, and landmines to fight for democracy and majority rule in South Africa. Their goal was to end apartheid and create a nation with equal rights for all. While some of their tactics injured civilians, their armed resistance helped bring down apartheid and create a democratic South Africa.

1. “Spear of the nation”

2.  Abbreviated as MK
 Translated as “Spear of the nation”
 Founded in 1961
 Created when Nelson Mandela lost hope that passive and
non-violent resistance to the apartheid government would
bear fruit
Introduction
“Battle flag of MK”

3. 
Motives

4. “When a man is denied
the right to live the life
he believes in, he has no
choice but to become an
outlaw.”
-Nelson
Mandela, 1964
Quote from the 3-hour
speech named “I am
prepared to die” given by
Nelson Mandela

5. 
 Violence in South Africa was inevitable
 Unrealistic & wrong for African leaders to continue
preaching peace and non-violence
 Formed on when all else failed
Why did MK fight?

6. 
 Fighting for democracy--majority rule--the right of the
Africans to rule Africa.
 Fighting for a South Africa in which there will be peace and
harmony and equal rights for all people.
 Not racialists, as the white oppressors are. The African
National Congress has a message of freedom for all who
live in South Africa.
What MK fought for?

7. Last part of Nelson Mandela’s “I am prepared to die” speech:
“ HELP THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS!
MAKE THEIR PATH EASY! Make the enemy's path hard!
WE ARE ANSWERING THE WHITE OPPRESSORS IN THE LANGUAGE
THEY HAVE CHOSEN!
THIS IS A WAR TO DESTROY APARTHEID, TO WIN BACK OUR
COUNTRY FOR ALL OUR PEOPLE!
WE SHALL WIN! FORWARD TO VICTORY OR DEATH!
AFRIKA! MAYIBUYE! AMANDLA NGAWETHU!
MATLA KE ARONA! POWER TO THE PEOPLE! ”

8. 
Methods used
Military Campaign
 Joined hands with other
countries to get backing
 Countries included
Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozamb
ique
 Tried to rebuild an army for
themselves after Soweto
Uprising (1976), but failed

9. Campaigns of sabotage
on:
 Government posts
 Electricity stations
 Crops
Electric station after being
sabotaged by the MK

10. 
This method included:
Bombings
 The Church Street Bomb (1983)
 Amanzitotim Bomb (1985)
 The Durban beach front bombing (1986)
 And many others on soft targets (fast food outlets,
supermarkets,…)
Propaganda of Deed

11. Landmine campaigns
 Done from 1985-1987
 Method was abandoned
because it injured many
black people
Torture and Executions

12. 
 South African police statistics: From 1976 to 1986,
approximately 130 people were killed by what the
source calls 'terrorists'.
 100 civilians: 40 white & 60 black.
Number of deaths

13. 
Key achievements