Nelson Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

 

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom 

Table Of Contents:

1- Introduction 

2- About Nelson Mandela 

3- Chapter Summary 

4- Vocabulary Building 

5- Textbook Exercises 

6- Short Question/Answers 

7- Long Question/Answers 

8- To Recapitulate 

1- Introduction 

This chapter is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, who was the first black president of South Africa. It tells us about his childhood, adolescence and his freedom fights for the rights of the black people of South Africa. 

2- About Nelson Mandela 

• He was born on 18th July 1918 at Mvezo, South Africa. 

• He was a determined and diligent person, that is why we can call him best role model. 

• He fought for the equal rights of the Blacks.

• He is also known as the father of Modern South Africa. 

• He received the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1993.

• He fought for the racism. 

• Nelson Mandela International day is celebrated each year on 18th July.

• He fought to bring liberty and justice to his people. 

3- Chapter Summary 

The first democratic non-racial government of South Africa was installed on 10th may, 1994 in a sandstone large open theatre. This theatre was formed by the union buildings in Pertoria. Here many leaders of the world had gathered. 

Nelson Mandela accompany his daughter named Zenani. First oath was taken by Mr. De klerk (second deputy president) and then Thabo Mbeki (first deputy president). After them Mandela took the oath as the President of South Africa. He pledged to obey the rules and regulations of the constitution. 

Mandela addressed the guests.  

After the oath ceremony, he addressed the guests. He thanked International leaders for joining the ceremony. He promised to work for the welfare of the people. He would work to remove all types of discrimination and poverty from the society. He would definitely bring freedom and equality for all.

Display of South African Jets

After Mandela's oath, South African military jets displayed the military power. The military generals saluted him. He recounted that they were the same military generals who arrested him many years before. But now time has changed. Then two national anthems were played. The white sang 'Nkosi Sikelel' the old anthem and the black sang 'Die Stem' the new anthem which marked the end of the ceremony. 

Apartheid in South Africa 

Mandela remembers those days when whites followed racism and blacks were deployed of equality. The policy of Apartheid ( racial discrimination ) created a deep wound on its people (blacks).

Recalls the sacrifices of freedom fighters 

Now Mandela regrets the loss of freedom fighters who fought for the freedom from discrimination. He regret that they are not present as he wants to thank them all on this auspicious day. From them he learnt that courage is not lack of fear but victory over that fear.

His perspective towards Racism 

According to him, being white or black is not the token of superiority. No one is born as a racist. Gradually from the society around they learn discrimination. 

He also believed that every man has two responsibilities. First towards his family and second to his nation. And every man is capable of fulfilling both the responsibilities. 

His Concept of freedom 

He remembered his childhood. He saw discrimination against his siblings as well. Earlier he thought he was all alone facing it. But in school and college life, he saw the discrimination against blacks. And the freedom that he enjoyed as a child was just an illusion. 

Joins African National Congress 

Now he became aware about the discrimination against black people.  Then, he joined the African national Congress. As he wants to remove this discrimination. This changed his whole life. He also realised that he could not enjoy his freedom until and unless his community is facing racism. He also realised that just like oppressed (torturer), the oppressor (tortured) is also not free. Both of them must be liberated. 

4- Vocabulary Building 

• Apartheid- racial discrimination 

• Amphitheatre- large open theatre 

• Oppression- harsh treatment 

• Supremacy- being superior 

• Sworn- took an oath

• Reign- rule

• Inhumane- cruel

• Conquers- gets victory 

• Humanity- sympathy and kindness 

• Isolated- separated from others

• Illusion- false belief

• Dignity- respect

• Oppressor- a cruel person

• Oppressed- victim

5- Textbook Exercises 

i- Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?

A- The ceremonies took place in Amphitheatre formed by the union buildings in Pretoria. 

The Red Fort in Delhi is made of sandstone. 

ii- Can you say how 10th may is an 'Autumn day ' in South Africa?

A- It is an 'Autumn day ' because it marks the beginning of new government based on equality. In other words, the old leaves are replaced by the new leaves.

iii- At the beginning of his speech Mandela mentions 'an extraordinary human disaster'. What does he mean by this? What is the "glorious........human achievement " he speaks of at the end?

A- Mandela is referring to the practice of racial discrimination in Africa which is based on colour.

The "glorious.....human achievement " that Mandela refers means Africa has gained it's freedom. It is an achievement for the nation as earlier racial discrimination was the basis of the nation.

iv- What does Mandela thank the International leaders for?

A- He thanked them for their presence in the inaugural ceremony.  As their presence could be considered as a victory of the African people fir peace and justice. 

v- What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

A- He stated that all people will be free from discriminations of all kinds. All of them will definitely enjoy equal rights.

vi- What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed and why?

A- They saluted Mandela to express their loyalty to democracy. 

Earlier they treated Mandela as a criminal, and arrested him. 

The changed happened as Mandela was now the elected president of their country. 

vii- Why were two national anthems sung?

A- Two national anthems were sung to end racial prejudice (hatred).

viii- How does the Mandela describe the systems of government in his country?

• In the first decade and 

• In the final decade, of the twentieth century?

A- In the first decade, the whites started system of racial discrimination against the blacks. 

In the final decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been removed completely. It had been replaced by rights and freedom of all whether blacks or whites.

ix -What does courage mean to Mandela?

A- Courage means victory over fear. Brave man should be able to conquer fear.

x -Which does he think is natural to love or to hate?

A- According to him love is natural. It's a natural feeling. On the other hand, feeling of hatred develop by itself. 

Xi- What 'twin obligations' does Mandela mentions? Or what according to Nelson Mandela are a man's twin obligations?

A- According to him, every man has two duties. First to look after his family and second obligation (duty) is to serve his community and country. 

XII- What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these transitory freedoms with 'the basic and honorable freedoms '?

A- As a boy 'being free' did not hold importance as according to Mandela we all are born free. As a student, he realised the freedom that he enjoyed as a child was just an illusion. 

Now he wanted to earn money, marry and start his family. This freedom existed without any racial discrimination. 

XIII- Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?

A- No, they are not free. They are prisoner of hatred. Both the oppressor and the oppressed lack humanity. 

XIV- Why did such a large number of International leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?

A- The international leaders attended the inauguration to pay their respect to the freedom of South Africa. 

It signified the triumph of the people over racism and recognition of human equality. 

XV- What does Mandela mean when he says he is 'simply the sum of all those African Patriots ' who had gone before him?

A- He means that these patriots created a path of unity and cooperation which supported him in his journey. 

XVI- Would you agree that the 'depths of oppression ' create 'heights of character '?

How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?

A- Yes, I agree that the 'depth of oppression' creates 'heights of character'. Mandela gives the example of many patriots like Oliver Tambos, The Walter Sisulus etc. They had extra ordinary courage and wisdom. 

To illustrate, the oppression of the Britishers produced Bhagat singh, Mahatma Gandhi etc.

xvii- How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

A- As a child freedom means doing whatever he want as he was born free. 

But when he grew up, he realised that whatever he enjoyed as a child was just an illusion. He developed a desire to gain freedom. He also realised that not only his but the freedom of all blacks was deprived. 

xviii- How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?

A- When he realised the freedom of all blacks was deprived, his life changed. A 'hunger for freedom ' for all transformed him.

6- Short Question/Answers 

• Why was the site called "a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations"?

A- The leaders from all around the world gathered to celebrate the victory over the racial discrimination. Hence the site was called "a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations ".

• What do you understand by the term "Apartheid "?

A- Apartheid is a racial discrimination of the whites over the blacks. The policy was full of terror and torture on the blacks of South Africa. 

• What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters? ( C.B.S.E 2012)

A- As he grew up, he realised that his brothers and sisters of his community including him were not free. As a result, he desired for freedom of his entire community. 

• What did freedom mean to Mandela in childhood?(C.B.S.E 2015)

A- Freedom meant to be free to do anything whether to swim, to run, or to ride the backs of slow moving bulls.

• What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed?(C.B.S.E 2011)

A- According to him, both are deprived of their humanity. The oppressor is a prisoner of hatred and oppressed is the victim. So both of them needs to be liberated. 

7- Long Question/Answers 

• Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense if history? How did he succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa?(C.B.S.E 2020)

A- On the day of inauguration, he was overwhelmed with a sense of history. As he remembered how the same officers used to treat him before and imprison him. How white people of Africa created racial discrimination against the dark-skinned people. 

Mandela lately joined African national Congress to work for the freedom of black-skinned people. To get it, he had to spent 30 years in prison. He could not do anything for his family. He fight along with other freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the cause. As a result, after long walk, the blacks became free and non-racial government was set up in South Africa. 

• Describe the value of freedom for human beings and how it is important for the growth of civilization and humanism as described in the lesson 'Nelson Mandela: long walk to freedom'.

(C.B.S.E. 2014).

A- Value of freedom holds much more importance. For instance, it holds much more importance to Mandela who remained behind bars for 30 years. Life becomes hell, if we are deprived of freedom. Freedom means you are free to do any work at any time without any boundation. If the man is free to do his duties, he can definitely produce better results. So freedom is very much important for the growth of civilization. 

8- To Recapitulate 

I hope above notes would be a great help in your upcoming exams. If any doubts you can reach me through the comment section box and I will Get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you...

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