UMkhonto we Sizwe
The uMkhonto we Sizwe, Meaning "Spear of the Nation" in Xhosa, is the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress (ANC), founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. Its mission is to fight against the South African government.
History
The Umkhonto we Sizwe came to national prominence following initial insurgency conducted in December of 1961 attacking government institutions in protest against deadlocked constitutional reform and increased political rights in apparent betrayal of the United Party's perceived aims of national reconciliation. Its formation has heralded a darker age in South African politics as polarisation has heightened politically motivated violence between the Boers and ANC. Noted leaders of the MK have also spoken against the long held non-violence of the ANC's activities most prominently being Nelson Mandela
According to Nelson Mandela, all of the founding members of the uMkhonto we Sizwe, including himself, are also members of the ANC. In his famous "I Am Prepared to Die" speech, Mandela outlined the motivations which led to the formation of the uMkhonto we Sizwe:
At the beginning of June 1961, after a long and anxious assessment of the South African situation, I, and some colleagues, came to the conclusion that as violence in this country was inevitable, it would be unrealistic and wrong for African leaders to continue preaching peace and non-violence at a time when the government met our peaceful demands with force.
This conclusion was not easily arrived at. It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle, and to form uMkhonto we Sizwe. We did so not because we desired such a course, but solely because the government had left us with no other choice."