Name; londiwe mazibuko.
Student number; 63396009
Eng2602 2025
Jan/feb supplementary exam
, Secton A
Question 2 political persuasive essay
Herman Mashaba’s speech, Together, We Can Fix South Africa, delivered on 29 August
2021, serves as a call to action for South Africans to support ActionSA as the political
alternative to ANC. His target audience includes South African citizens who are
frustrated socio-economic issues. The purpose of this speech is to persuade people
that South Africa can be fixed, but only if the ANC is removed and ActionSA lead. In this
essay, I will critically analyse the persuasive strategies used in this speech, as well as
various linguistic devices. This analysis will examine how they are used to strengthen
Mashaba’s argument and engage his audience.
Herman Mashaba uses inclusive language to create a sense of unity and belonging
among his audience. One of the most effective ways he does this is by greeting South
Africans in multiple languages at the beginning of his speech "Good Morning,
Dumelang, Molweni, Sanibonani, Goeie More, Avuxeni, Ndaa." By using greetings in
English, Setswana, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Xitsonga, and Tshivenda, he
acknowledges South Africa’s linguistic diversity and ensures that different cultural
groups feel represented and included. This approach reinforces the idea that ActionSA
is a party for all South Africans, regardless of their language or background.
Beyond greetings, Mashaba continues to use inclusive language throughout the speech
by repeatedly addressing the audience as “My fellow South Africans.” This phrase
fosters a sense of national unity, making the audience feel personally involved in the
message rather than being passive listeners. By emphasizing shared identity, he
strengthens the emotional appeal of his speech. Furthermore, he frequently uses the
pronoun “we” instead of “I” to highlight collective responsibility and action. For
example, he states: “We can Fix South Africa.” “We can get our country working.” “We
can live in a safe country.” This repetition of “we” rather than “I” ensures that the
audience feels part of the movement rather than merely following a political leader. It
shifts the focus from himself to a collective national effort, making his message more
compelling and inclusive.
Herman Mashaba uses figurative language to make his speech more engaging and
memorable. One notable example is his description of The People’s Dialogue as a “9-
month long conversation”, which mirrors the process of a baby developing in the womb
for nine months. This metaphor suggests that ActionSA was carefully nurtured and
formed over time, emphasizing that it is not a rushed or impulsive initiative but rather
the result of deep thought and engagement with South Africans. This imagery creates a
sense of natural growth and anticipation, making the audience feel that ActionSA is
something they helped "give birth" to, reinforcing their sense of ownership and
connection to the movement.
Student number; 63396009
Eng2602 2025
Jan/feb supplementary exam
, Secton A
Question 2 political persuasive essay
Herman Mashaba’s speech, Together, We Can Fix South Africa, delivered on 29 August
2021, serves as a call to action for South Africans to support ActionSA as the political
alternative to ANC. His target audience includes South African citizens who are
frustrated socio-economic issues. The purpose of this speech is to persuade people
that South Africa can be fixed, but only if the ANC is removed and ActionSA lead. In this
essay, I will critically analyse the persuasive strategies used in this speech, as well as
various linguistic devices. This analysis will examine how they are used to strengthen
Mashaba’s argument and engage his audience.
Herman Mashaba uses inclusive language to create a sense of unity and belonging
among his audience. One of the most effective ways he does this is by greeting South
Africans in multiple languages at the beginning of his speech "Good Morning,
Dumelang, Molweni, Sanibonani, Goeie More, Avuxeni, Ndaa." By using greetings in
English, Setswana, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Xitsonga, and Tshivenda, he
acknowledges South Africa’s linguistic diversity and ensures that different cultural
groups feel represented and included. This approach reinforces the idea that ActionSA
is a party for all South Africans, regardless of their language or background.
Beyond greetings, Mashaba continues to use inclusive language throughout the speech
by repeatedly addressing the audience as “My fellow South Africans.” This phrase
fosters a sense of national unity, making the audience feel personally involved in the
message rather than being passive listeners. By emphasizing shared identity, he
strengthens the emotional appeal of his speech. Furthermore, he frequently uses the
pronoun “we” instead of “I” to highlight collective responsibility and action. For
example, he states: “We can Fix South Africa.” “We can get our country working.” “We
can live in a safe country.” This repetition of “we” rather than “I” ensures that the
audience feels part of the movement rather than merely following a political leader. It
shifts the focus from himself to a collective national effort, making his message more
compelling and inclusive.
Herman Mashaba uses figurative language to make his speech more engaging and
memorable. One notable example is his description of The People’s Dialogue as a “9-
month long conversation”, which mirrors the process of a baby developing in the womb
for nine months. This metaphor suggests that ActionSA was carefully nurtured and
formed over time, emphasizing that it is not a rushed or impulsive initiative but rather
the result of deep thought and engagement with South Africans. This imagery creates a
sense of natural growth and anticipation, making the audience feel that ActionSA is
something they helped "give birth" to, reinforcing their sense of ownership and
connection to the movement.
