A rhetorical analysis of first inaugural addresses of Samora Machel, Robert Mugabe, Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela
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Date
2016
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This study provides a rhetorical analysis of four inaugural addresses delivered by Samora Machel, Robert Mugabe, Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela during their inauguration ceremony as the first presidents in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, respectively. The aim of the study was to examine how the four speakers employed the three canons of rhetoric, namely invention, arrangement and style to persuade the audience. The study is the first of its kind in the countries mentioned above and in the region to undertake a rhetorical analysis of four inaugural addresses ever delivered in liberated countries in Southern Africa. The study adopted a qualitative method, which is explorative in nature, and based on a purposive sampling, because the selected sample shares some traits with the whole population to this study and facilitates analysis between different groups. The major findings of the study reflect that four dominant ideological preoccupations emerging from the analysis were: (a) political independence in their countries, (b) national unity and nation-building, (c) economic emancipation and (d) self-dependence and empowerment. The results revealed further that Machel, Mugabe, Nujoma and Mandela employed and possessed the faculties of invention (inventio), arrangement (dispositio) and style (elocutio) in constructing their first inaugural addresses, which confirm the ancient classical tradition that a skilful rhetorician must possess the faculties of canons of rhetoric in order to persuade an intended audience.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in English Studies
Keywords
Rhetorical analysis, Inaugural addresses