Amandla (power)

Amandla in the Nguni languages Xhosa and Zulu means "power".^[1] The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against apartheid, used by the African National Congress and its allies. The leader of a group would call out "Amandla!" and the crowd would respond with "Awethu"^[2] or "Ngawethu!"^[3] (to us), completing the South African version of the rallying cry "power to the people!".^[4] The word is still associated with struggles against oppression.

Mandla, which is derived from amandla, is also a common first name in South Africa. The Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) publishes a magazine by the same name.

^ "Amandla, int." Dictionary of South African English. Dictionary Unit for South African English, 2018. [1] 25 February 2019.
^ "Welcome to the official South African government online site! - South African Government". Info.gov.za. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
^ Statement by the President of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki, at the unveiling of the Thokoza Monument, 16 October 1999, Thokoza^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Minister Essop Pahad: Address on the occasion of The Presidency Budget Vote National Assembly, 12 June 2007 Archived 30 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine

[1] "Amandla, int." Dictionary of South African English. Dictionary Unit for South African English, 2018. [1] 25 February 2019.

[2] "Welcome to the official South African government online site! - South African Government". Info.gov.za. Retrieved 20 March 2017.

[3] Statement by the President of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki, at the unveiling of the Thokoza Monument, 16 October 1999, Thokoza^{[permanent dead link]}

[4] Minister Essop Pahad: Address on the occasion of The Presidency Budget Vote National Assembly, 12 June 2007 Archived 30 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine

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