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A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF NELSON MANDELA’S  

INAUGURAL SPEECH 

 

Chinwe Theresa Eze 

Okongwu Memorial Grammar School,  

Nnewi, Anambra State 

Email: ezetessy16@gmail.com 

 

Abstract 

Language according to Sapir is a human and noninstinctive method of 

communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced 

symbols. Speech act is doing something using language. When we say 

something, we are requesting, appreciating, appealing, commanding, ordering 

or proposing. This study is a pragmatic analysis of Nelson Mandela’s 

inaugural speech presented at a critical moment of South Africa’s history.  It 

is aimed at examining what Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech may have 

meant to his people whom he represented in the fight for freedom. The 

locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary aspects of his inaugural speech 

were examined  using the Speech Acts Theory to ascertain the extent to which 

his inaugural speech acts met the felicity condition as spelt out by J.L Austin. 

Data was collected through internet and library sources. The analysis was 

done using J.L. Austin’s Speech Acts Theory. The researcher dwells on the 

illocutionary act namely the Assertive, Commissives, Directives, and 

Expressives. It is observed that in the representative or assertive acts that 

Nelson Mandela was explaining, informing, asserting, proving and stating the 

facts of the situation at hand. His speech met J. L Austin’s felicity conditions. 

From the analysis of his speech, we find Mandela as a great orator and 

achiever. We also observed the speaker’s cultural influence in terms of 

greeting, appreciating and thanking his audience. Nelson Mandela brought an 

end to apartheid using his communicative competence which helped in the 

complete eradication of apartheid in South Africa. 

 

Keywords: Pragmatics, Speech Acts Theory, Nelson Mandela 

 

Introduction 

Nelson Mandela was known as one of the greatest leaders of all times. The 

media have written so much on his ascendancy to South Africa's presidency 

many years after his imprisonment. His speeches provide an opportunity for 

academicians to gain insight into who Mandela was, and how the black South 

Africans perceived him during those trying periods. Nelson Mandela's speech 

of May 10, 1994 marked his inauguration as the first black South 

Africa'spresident after apartheid was abolished. How did the audience of 

Black South African audiencereceive the speech? To what extent did the 

speech meet the felicity conditions as spelt out by J. L. Austin’s Speech Acts 



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Theory?  A pragmatic analysis of the inaugural speech of Nelson Mandela 

became necessary to answer the above questions. His inaugural speech gives 

an insight intowho Nelson Mandela was and how the South Africans 

perceived him during and after the apartheid. The paper also looks at the 

specific context of the speeches and gives a full explanation of the pragmatic 

analysis of the speech. The researcher focused on critically analyzingthe 

inaugural speech of Nelson Mandela considering the context of his political 

experiences. The researcher did this based on the conversational principles of 

pragmatics with great recourse to J. L Austin’s Speech Act Theory. It is really 

the message and intentions of the speakers that bring about theperlocutionary 

act of the language. Ojukwu, Chika Kate (121). 

 

Theoretical Framework 

Speech act theory tries to explain how speakers use language to get the 

intended meaning andhearers get the intended meaning from what the speaker 

said. Speech act theory was firstdefined by Austin J. L (30). Hedid not use the 

term ‘speech acts’, but ‘performative sentence’ or ‘performative utterance’ 

which indicated that the issuing of the utterance is the performance of an 

action. The term itselfwas first used by Searle (22) asserting that "talking is 

performing acts according to rules" and that “speech acts are the basic or 

minimal units of linguistic communication”(16). Meanwhile, according to 

Yule (47), “people perform action through utterances when they attempt to 

express themselves and the actions they perform through utterances are 

generally called speech action.” 

Austin in Levinson's Pragmatics (236) recommends three basic acts in 

presenting anutterance. They are 

- Locutionary act 

- Illocutionary act 

- Perlocutionary act 

 

These are the three levels of analysis that project the meaning of utterances. 

The locutionaryact simply shows its sense and reference. It performs the act of 

saying something. Theillocutionary act makes statements, offer, promise etc. 

Illocutionary act is the purpose behind making an utterance. The 

perlocutionary act provokes the effect on the audience by uttering asentence. 

The effects of the perlocutionary acts are enlightening, persuading, 

convincing, inspiring someone to realize something, whether intended or not 

(Austin, 30). Theillocutionary act is the real action performed by the utterance 

where both saying and doingare conducted at the same time, such as betting, 

warning, ordering (Kempson, 51). 

 

Thus, Searle in his classification of illoucationary acts (1 -23) proposesfive 

types of speech act, namely: 



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- Assertives (presents the way things are): these are statements that 

describe a state of affairs in the world which could be true or false. 

- Directives (instruct somebody to do something): These are statements 

that compel another person's action to fit the propositional elements. It 

is used to give orders thereby causing the hearer to take a particular 

action, request, command or advice. 

- Commissives (commits oneself): It commits the speaker to certain 

future action. It could be in the form of promise thereby committing 

the speaker to a course of action. 

- Expressives (express feelings and attitude): it is used to express 

sincerity of the speech act like excuses and sympathy thereby 

reflecting the feelings of the speaker. 

- Verdictives/Declaration: That brings about change with the use of 

utterance. These statements are used to say something and make it so, 

such as pronouncing someone guilty and declaring a war. This is used 

by the speaker to weigh the action of another person often the hearer. 

These are words and expressions like I bet, I resign and I declare. 

 

Conditions that must be fulfilled for actual realization of illocutionary acts are 

called felicity conditions. Felicity conditions refer to conditions necessary for 

the success of a speech act.The name is derived from a Latin root "Felix" or 

"happy". They are conditions necessary forthe fulfillment of a performative. 

Ndimele (139) has it that the concept of felicity condition wasproposed by J. L 

Austin as those criteria which must be satisfied by a speech act if it must 

betermed successful to achieve its communicative purpose. According to 

Searle, there is ageneral condition for all speech acts so that the hearer must 

hear and understand the language. 

 

An illocutionary act is adjudged felicitous if it meets conditions spelt out by J. 

L Austin (72).The felicity conditions are given below: 

- Sincerity condition- This shows how sincere the speaker is with a 

certain illocutionary act. 

- Preparatory condition shows how appropriate the participants are in 

the speech act as well as the circumstances of the speech act for the 

successful performance of the speechact. 

- Executive condition indicates whether the speech is properly executed. 

If yes, then the speech is felicitous on this ground. 

- Fulfillment condition - This shows the perlocutionary effect of the 

speech act. If it has the desired effect, then it is also felicitous. 

Actually, when those felicity conditions are met by an illocutionary 

act, then it is said to be felicitous and it met J.L Austin’s Speech Act. 

 

 

 



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Speech Acts Analysis of Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Speeches 

The speech acts performed in the inaugural speech selected are classified 

based on Searle'sclassification of illocutionary acts. These speeches 

constituted a number of utterances, sentences and phrases have been selected 

for analysis as Assertive, Directive Commissive and Expressive acts in order 

to project their illocutionary imports. 

 

Assertives/Representatives 

These are utterances in the inaugural speech that make assertions about the 

state of affairsin the world with particular reference to the South African 

Socio-political context. Theassertive acts in our data are for explaining, 

informing, proving, asserting and stating facts. 

The following assertives are extracted from the speech: 

 

Extract 1 

Today we are entering a new era for our country and its people 

Today we celebrate not the victory of a party but a victory for all the 

people ofSouth Africa. 

 

Extract 2 

To my compatriots, I have no hesitation in saying that each one of us 

is asintimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the 

famousjacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the 

Bushveld. 

 

Extract 1 is an assertive speech act as the speaker informs his people that they 

are in a new of freedom for South Africa. The speaker had just won anelection 

as the first black president in their country, South Africa and he is being 

inauguratedas president. The use of "we" implies himself and the people of 

South Africa and also the deictic pronoun “our” suggests that South Africa 

istheir own. In the past, South Africa has always been ruled by the oppressive 

white minorityand this latest period is that in which there is a change in the 

mantle of leadership. The utterance also makes a statement of fact. Nelson 

Mandela states that they are not rejoicing over a partyconquest but for the 

whole of South Africa as a country. 

 

In extract 2 the tone of the speaker is made clear "To my compatriots" is an 

utterance ofendearment by a faithful leader who speaks to fellow citizens to 

assure them of their closerelationships since they are from the same country 

and has won the victory together. This assertion commits the speaker to the 

truth of the expressed proposition. The utterance is not like the empty 

promises of Nigerian politicians looking for votes but an assertion that 

reassures the citizenry of the mind of a leader to carry his people along and 

allow themenjoy the fruits of their struggle together.  



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Directive Acts 

Directive acts involves persuasion. In the directive acts, the speaker tries to 

get the hearer to do something. It includes the act of commanding, advising, 

warning, persuading, condemning and urging. 

The following directives are extracted from his inaugural speeches. 

 

Extract 3 

  Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that 

 lasted too long, must be born a society of which all human will 

 be proud. 

  We must therefore act together as united people, for national 

 reconciliation. 

 

Extract 4 

  Let there be justice and peace for all 

  Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. 

 

In extract 3, Nelson Mandela admonishes the out of the unusual disaster that 

lasted too long, should be born a society in which all mankind will be proud. 

Nelson Mandela insists that they as a group should unite for national 

resolution, nation building and the birth of a new human race. The use of the 

modal auxiliary verb ‘must’ emphasizes this determination by the speaker. 

The use of the deictic pronoun “we” intensifies the strong unity that they 

require to achieve their freedom from apartheid. 

 

In extract 4, Nelson Mandela appeals for justice for all and request for peace. 

In extract 4, Nelson Mandela asks for better living condition such as work, 

bread, water and salt. He made the request with the use of the verb “let”. 

 

Commissive Acts 

These statements commit the speaker to certain future action. It could be in 

the form of promise, pledge and offer thereby committing the speaker to a 

course of action. 

 

Below are the commissive parts of the inaugural speech: 

 

Extract 5 

  And the change is what they will get 

  We will tackle the widespread poverty  

  So pervasive among the majority of our people 

 

 

 

 



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Extract 6 

As a government, the ANC will create a legal framework that will assist 

rather than impede the awesome task of reconciliation and reconstruction and 

development of our battered society. 

 

In extract 5, Mandela promises that change is what they will get. The use of 

the verb phrase “will get” indicates future implication. They really had need 

for a change in South Africa which is a common knowledge to the Africans in 

the context and so, Mandela is promising this real change in government. 

Nelson Mandela distinguishes himself as a patriot. This change is not the kind 

of change we experience in Nigeria. “They” in this context, means “his 

people”. He went on to speak on tackling the extensive poverty among his 

people. He actually promised to do something.  

 

In extract 6, the speaker promised that the ANC will create a legal framework 

that will exist rather than slow down the tremendous duty of rebuilding our 

battered society. 

 

Expressive Acts 

The expressive acts reveal the psychological state of the speaker. It talks about 

the state of affairs which the illocutionary presuppose. It is often used to 

communicate the speaker’s intention in relation to the situation. 

The following are expressive acts of Mandela’s speech. 

 

Extract 7 

  We thank all our distinguished international guests for having 

 come to take possession with the people of our country of 

 what is, after all, common victory for justice, for peace, for 

 human dignity. 

 

Extract 8 

 We deeply appreciate the role that the masses of our people and their 

 political mass democratic, religious women, youth, business, tradition 

 and other leaders have played to bring about this conclusion. 

 God bless Africa! Thank you. 

 

In extract 7 and 8 above, Nelson Mandela really expresses his inner state of 

mind by using the deictic pronoun “we” to show a collective identity or a 

group membership and solidarity which he enjoys. He uses the performative 

verb “thank” to show his being grateful for having come to be the president 

and to control his country at last.  

 



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In extract 8, Mandela uses the adverb “deeply” to modify the verb 

appreciate. He shows appreciation to every group for their success and a 

lasting peace for everybody.  

 

Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech tends to expose or reveal his experiences, 

the pains and the eventual gains of the struggle. He really appreciates all that 

has identified with the struggle as individuals and corporate bodies to show 

that the victory is not his victory but the victory of South Africans and 

freedom to Africa as a whole. 

 

Perlocutionary Acts of the Inaugural Speeches 

The perlocutionary acts points to the intended and unintended effect of the 

linguistic act on the hearer or audience. In all the speeches made by Mandela 

during his inauguration, he proved his intended meaning to his audience.  

 

In extract 1 and 2, he tried to remind and assert to his audience that the 

destruction caused by the Apartheid to Africa is so much. Mandela enlightens 

and convinces the audience about the evil effect of Apartheid and the need to 

break down the walls of segregation so that his people will enjoy the fruits of 

freedom. He cheers his audience that they celebrate not just the victory of the 

party but a victory for all. He stirs his audience to appreciate the after effect of 

their labour and persuades his audience to accept the winning party as a 

faithful organ of future peace and fulfillment. Nelson Mandela requires the 

South Africans to place their vision of a new constitution for South Africa on 

the table as a way to extend the olive branch of cooperation. He 

encourageshis people to partner with him as they were partners in the battle 

for freedom. Mandelaasserts that the national mood changes as time changes. 

The spiritual and physicalagreement they share as a group in their homeland 

proves the intensity of the hurt theyexperiencein their hearts as their 

motherland disintegrated as a result of racial discrimination which cut them 

off from the rest ofworld. 

 

Nelson Mandela went on to condemn the oppressors. He believes that out of 

their unusualhuman disaster that lasted for so long should be born a society in 

which mankind will livewith hope and pride. He requests for better life in 

general in such areas as work, bread, waterand salt. The speaker promises that 

the ANC will create a legal framework that will propel rebuilding and proving 

the battered society. He resolved to be committed to the spirit of agovernment 

of national agreement and stand firm to initiate and bring about the change 

theydesired. Mandela promised seriously a virile country in which all South 

Africans both blackand white will enjoy the right to human dignity. He was 

happy in extract 7 and 8, as heexpresses joy when the situation of South 

Africa changes from oppression to liberty. These speeches have far reaching 



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effects that sustained the struggle for freedom and in so doing ensuredthat 

freedom is achieved and that the fruits will be enjoyed by all (Ojukwu 121). 

 

Felicity Conditions of the Speeches 

In this analysis, we shall subject Nelson Mandela's inaugural speech to the 

felicity conditions as spelt out by Austin J.L to assess their effectiveness. 

 

Sincerity Condition  

The sincerity condition is an important felicity condition as thisspeech really 

provoked necessary reaction needed in the circumstance. The informationhere 

constitutes some promises made by Mandela towards the eradication of 

Apartheid in SouthAfrica. The speeches based on performative are uttered by 

the right person at the right time in the right situation and effectively 

accomplished the social act. He promised to build a societyin which South 

Africans both black and white walk tall without fear in their hearts. Racial 

discrimination or apartheid was abolished in 1990 and in 1994, Nelson 

Mandela was elected first black president of South Africa. Nelson Mandela 

has fulfilled all thesepromises and therefore, these speeches are sincere -true 

and hence felicitous. 

 

Preparatory Condition 

Preparatory felicity condition seeks to reveal the appropriateness of the 

participants in the discourse and the successful performance of the speech act. 

Nelson Mandela, an African activist brought an end to Apartheid. He was 

ready to die for this course by making much sacrifice to achieve that. He 

really committed himself to the struggle to obtain equality for all South 

Africans. Nelson Mandela's inaugural speech at Pretoria is a highly 

sensational address and his speech is made under the right circumstances 

hence the illocutionary actare felicitous having fulfilled Austin J.L. Felicitous 

condition. 

 

Executive Condition  

This shows whether the speeches were properly executed. Nelson Mandela's 

communicative competence is a key part in eradicating apartheid. Nelson 

Mandela is a great communicator who uses the power of language to explain, 

inspire, persuade advice and express his psychological state of mind by 

making promises for future actions. He properly executed his speeches and 

these speeches are therefore felicitous. 

 

Fulfillment Condition 

The fulfillment condition really answers the research questions what Nelson 

Mandela's inaugural speech may have meant for his people and if it meets J. 

L.Austin’s felicity condition. This speech has the desired effect on the 

participants as NelsonMandela persuades, enlightens, convinces and inspires 



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his audience to accept his own opinion.All these speeches broke the solid rock 

of apartheid and ensured peaceful transfer of power in the harsh segregated 

nation. Nelson Mandela's inaugural speech achieved the desiredpurposes as 

they fulfill the necessary felicity conditions (Ojukwu 121). 

 

Conclusion 

The language of Nelson Mandela is studied through the inaugural speech in 

order to get to his thoughts. In this study, the researcher examines what 

Nelson Mandela's inauguralspeech may have meant to his people who he 

represented in the fight for freedom. Theresearcher uses speech acts theory to 

interpret Mandela's speech and determine theperloctionary acts of the 

inaugural speech in order to judge if his speech met thefelicity conditions as 

spelt out by J. L. Austin's Speech Acts Theory. Referring to Searle's 

taxonomyof illocutionary acts, the researcher found out that the four 

categories of Searle's speech acts -Assertive, directive, commissives and 

expressives manifested in these speeches. Theselected speeches are powerful, 

enlightening convincing, inspiring and memorable both innational and 

international forums. Nelson Mandela expressed joy and happiness when 

thesituation of South African changed from oppression to liberty. He 

demonstrated happiness by blessing Africa. The effect of the speech excites 

his audienceso that they share with him in the joy for the positive change. 

These speeches ensured that freedom is achieved and that the fruits will be 

enjoyed by all. He emphasizes that the victoryis not just victory for the party 

alone but a victory for all lovers of freedom in South Africa and the 

international community who actually contributed in different ways to sustain 

thetempo of the struggle and in so doing, democracy was achieved. 

 

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….   "Inauguration Speech" Selected Speeches; Statements and writing of 

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