“I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car, and I wore a chauffeur’s cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my master’s car.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
Quote
“I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car, and I wore a chauffeur’s cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my master’s car.”
Explanation
This quote from Nelson Mandela reveals his resourcefulness and ability to navigate the oppressive system of apartheid through disguise and ingenuity. During his time as a leader in the African National Congress (ANC) and as a leader of the liberation movement, Mandela often had to adopt various identities and strategies to evade detection by the authorities. The image of wearing blue overalls and a chauffeur’s cap was a practical tactic that allowed him to move around South Africa while maintaining a low profile. The use of Mazzawati teaglasses—round, rimless glasses—further reinforced the disguise, making him appear inconspicuous to those who might be watching.
Mandela’s ability to operate under cover was crucial in his efforts to organize the resistance against the apartheid government, which imposed strict restrictions on black South Africans. As the regime sought to crush opposition, leaders like Mandela were forced to constantly find creative ways to avoid surveillance and arrest. By adopting the role of a chauffeur, Mandela not only created an effective cover for his movements but also took advantage of a system that allowed the privileged classes, such as white employers, to travel freely while ordinary black South Africans were heavily restricted.
In a broader sense, this quote underscores Mandela’s commitment to the struggle for freedom, showing how he was willing to sacrifice personal comfort and live a life of disguise and risk for the larger cause of liberation. It reflects his pragmatism and dedication to the fight against oppression. Even in the face of constant danger, Mandela and other leaders of the resistance found ways to organize and mobilize their communities. This type of subversive action would continue to play a crucial role in the ultimate success of the anti-apartheid movement and the eventual triumph of democracy in South Africa.
