Despite many advances in the rhetorical criticism

The development of rhetorical analysis has enormous influence in the works of Aristotle. As quoted in Kangira & Mungenga (2012, p. 110), Aristotle views rhetoric as the faculty of discovering in any particular case all of the available means of persuasion. For Hart (1997, p.2) rhetoric is defined as the art of using language to help people to narrow their choices among specifiable, if not specified, policy options (p.2).

Another thriving concept of rhetoric is that of Burke (1969), which adds, [r]hetoric is concerned with persuasion and identification (Foss, Foss & Trapp, 2002, p.191). The rhetor constructs subjective truths that he/she attempts to persuade an audience to identify with (through either association or disassociation) so that these truths appear to be a natural extension of thoughts and feelings the listener already possesses (Hart, 1997, p.16). Under these concepts, it could be argued that rhetoric transcends the ability towards persuading. This could, however, be supported by Covino & Jollife (1995) suggesting that rhetoric is located in the realm of uncertainty and probable truth, in which conclusions are arguable rather than incontrovertible (p.8).

The study seeks to conduct a rhetorical analysis of first inaugural speeches from selected countries in Southern Africa rather than assessment of political arguments. It is under this background that rhetoric can be seen as a verbalization act to persuasion and identification (Olsson & Tremaine, 2002).

According to the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, Aristotle provides three means of persuasion known as Ethos, Pathos and Logos. Ethos refers to the credibility of the

speaker; it includes elements such as status, image and expertise, which attempt to persuade an audience of the rhetors common sense, and good will. Pathos refers to the emotional appeals of a text, which seek to appeal for emotions of an audience. Logos constitutes the appeal to patterns of reasoning, which an audience may find convincing (Makay, 1995). In general, the three means of persuasion as stated in Olsson & Tremaine (2002) are mutually dependent in achieving the power of persuasion: Just as ethos moves an audience by activating their faith in the credibility of the rhetor and pathos stimulates their feelings and seeks a change in their attitudes and actions, so logos, accompanied by the other two appeals, mobilizes the powers of reasoning. (Covino & Joliffe, 1995, p.17)

In an attempt to understand the force behind a speech, Blitzer (1986) asserts that rhetoric is tied to a situation or relies on understanding a moment called "exigence," in which something happens, or fails to happen also known as rhetorical situation. He adds that because the purpose of rhetoric is to make change, a situation exists or existed prior to the rhetoric, which is seen as rhetoric in existence. Vaz (1973) suggest that a rhetorical oratory is part of the situation and contributes to the meaning. The situation comprises exigency, audience, and constraints. As supported by Condit (1985) an audience is likely to invite an epideictic speech in a definition/ understanding function. For instance, in a definition/ understanding function, the troubling issues (constraints) will be explained by the speaker drawing on the audiences common knowledge (audience). Through the resultant understanding, the troubled event will be made less confusing and threatening , providing a sense of comfort for the audience (Condit, 1985, p.288). The suggested rhetorical situation in which the Inaugural of speeches arose will be an asset. It will

assist in identifying the presumptions, values and knowledge about the audience and constraints thereof.

In examining the rhetorical force behind the First Inaugural speeches, the above three means of persuasion will be used as part of the theoretical framework proposed by Joliffe (1995) known as the Jollifees Rhetorical Framework. The framework makes a combination of both classical and contemporary rhetoric. It looks at three main important aspects namely the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos and logos), rhetorical situation (exigency, target audience and purpose), and surface structure concerned with surface features such as diction, syntax, imagery and figurative language. In general, rhetorical studies have adopted always-adopted classical rhetoric: Throughout the 20th century, rhetoric developed as a concentrated field of study with the establishment of rhetorical courses in high schools and universities. Course such as the public speaking and speech analysis apply fundamental Greek theories. (Roberts, 2000, p.76).

The combination, however of two approaches in the Jolliffes Rhetorical Framework provides many opportunities in contemporary rhetorical analysis. As noted in De Gruyter (2010) speeches are analysed within a rhetorical framework of rhetorical genre theory. Central criteria for the first rhetorical typology of speeches are the social function, the occasion and related to that the place of delivery. Since the study is concerned with rhetorical analysis of First Inaugural speeches from liberation struggle countries, the focus should be given to epideictic or ceremonial oratory.

Perelman & Olbrechts-Tyteca (1969) building on the Aristotelian notion of topoi provide a concept of loci as referring to the source of arguments known as commonplaces. For the First Inaugural speeches, the argument would be that intrinsic inspiring power is linked to the source of arguments. As noted in Edwards & Wayne (1997) Political speech writers normally sit down with a politician and make a record of everything that will have to be discussed in the speech (p. 217). With this in mind, the study will attempt to determine the record of issues displayed in the first inaugural speeches. The WorldNet dictionary defines a persuasive speech as a speech given in hopes of swaying the crowd to believe and support the things that the speech is saying. The First Inaugural speeches from liberation struggle countries in Southern Africa will not be an exception; they will display facts that need support and acceptance for the audience. This is a purpose for which the study seeks to analyse why inaugural speeches illicit allegiance to any reader even today.

of the audience and contribute to the speakers goals in different rhetorical situations. 2. to examine