Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is an excerpt from Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s autobiography that covers the battle for black people’s freedom in South Africa. After more than three centuries of White dominance, Nelson Mandela took the oath as South Africa’s first Black President on May 10, 1994. In the first democratic elections in South Africa’s history, his party won 252 of the 400 seats.
The inaugural ceremony in Pretoria’s Union Buildings amphitheatre drew a large number of dignitaries and political figures from several countries. Mandela addressed all dignitaries with respect during his speech, assuring his fellow countrymen that their country would never be subjected to similar oppression by one group over another. While taking his oath as the country’s first black President, he established democracy and declared that no one would be discriminated against because of their caste, colour, faith, or race. He promised that the administration would always treat all citizens of the country equally and with respect.
The beautiful day of Mandela’s inauguration was momentous for him since the South African people chanted two national anthems: whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and blacks sang ‘Die Stem,’ the Republic’s old anthem. All of these occurrences reminded Mandela of how white people had previously exploited black people. He was extremely moved by his race’s suffering and stated that this form of racial oppression and racial dominance by white people over dark people on their own land had resulted in one of the harshest and most brutal societies the world has ever seen or known. He was a firm believer that no one is born with the desire to hate another person because of their skin colour, background, or religion. People must first learn to hate, because once they have learned to hate, they may be taught to love as well, for love comes more naturally to humans than hatred. He also stated that a person becomes brave not because he is fearless, but because he understands how to overcome his worries.
Furthermore, Mandela remarked that every man has two major responsibilities in life. The first is to his family, which includes his parents, wife, and children, and the second is to his motherland, countrymen, and community. Everyone has the ability to fulfil those tasks in accordance with his or her own interests and preferences. As a black man in a country like South Africa, however, it was difficult to fulfil both of these tasks before the democratic wave swept the country. Mandela realised as an adult that for his country’s black-skinned people, freedom was simply a mirage and fleeting in nature. He believed they were treated as exploitation slaves, and that white-skinned people treated all individuals of his race unfairly.
Mandela believed that freedom was indivisible for all people. People of his colour and race, on the other hand, were enslaved by injustice and tyranny. He understood that the oppressor, like the oppressed, needed to be released, for a person who takes another’s freedom is also a prisoner of oppression. As a result, the oppressor is not free and feels enslaved by the oppressor’s chains.
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Extract Based Questions of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Extract No 1
10th May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days 1 had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. (CBSE2015)
(a) Who were coming and for what before the inauguration?
(b) What happened on the inauguration?
(c) Find out the word that means the same ‘commencement’ from the passage.
(d) Find the word from the passage which means ‘an open space surrounded by sloping land’.
Answer:
(a) Dignitaries and world leaders were gathering to show their admiration prior to the inauguration of the first ever democracy, a non–racial government, as a victory of good over evil.
(b) On the day of the inauguration, the new government was officially installed.
(c) The term used is ‘inauguration‘.
(d) The term used is ‘amphitheater‘.
Extract No 2
In life, every man has twin obligations- obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated. (CBSE 2014 )
(a) What are the obligations that every man has in life?
(b) Why was it impossible for a coloured man to discharge his obligations?
(c) Find the word in the passage which has same meaning as ‘duty’.
(d) A word synonymous with intentions’ is ……… in the passage.
Answer:
(a) Everyone has two duties: to their family and to their community and nation.
(b) In South Africa, if a person of colour attempted to carry out their responsibilities, they were met with punishment and ostracism.
(d) Inclinations.
(c) The term is “obligation”.
What freedom meant to Mandela in childhood? (CBSE 2015)
Answer: For Nelson Mandela, freedom meant the ability to live life without fear or oppression. Growing up in South Africa, Mandela experienced firsthand the injustice of the apartheid system. He saw how his people were denied basic rights and freedoms, and he was determined to fight for a better future. Freedom to Mandela meant the right to be treated as an equal, to have access to education and employment, and to be able to speak out against injustice. He also saw freedom as a way to build a better life for himself and his family. Mandela was determined to fight for freedom and justice, and he dedicated his life to the struggle for equality and human rights.
What did ‘being free’ men to Mandela as a boy and as a student ? (CBSE 2017)
Answer: Being free for Nelson Mandela as a boy meant the freedom to explore the outdoors, to swim, run and play without restrictions. As a student, it meant the freedom to stay out late, read whatever he wanted and go wherever he wanted. As a boy ‘being free, meant to Nelson Mandela to wander free in fields, to swim freely, to run through the village. As a student to stay out night, to read what he pleased and to go where he chose.
Why is 10th May, 1994 important for South Africa? (CBSE 2012, 2014)
Answer: 10th May, 1994 is an important day in South Africa’s history as it marks the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of democracy. On this day, South Africans of all races were able to vote in the first free and fair elections in the country’s history. This election marked the end of the oppressive system of racial segregation that had been in place since 1948.
What are the twin obligations Nelson Mandela talks about in his speech ? (CBSE 2012)
Answer: Nelson Mandela talks about two obligations in his speech. The first is the obligation to take away the chains of poverty, deprivation, and oppression. The second is the obligation to build a society in which all people, regardless of race, color, or creed, can live in harmony and with equal opportunities. He emphasizes that these obligations are not only for the government but for all citizens of a nation.
What is the dream of Nelson Mandela for the future of South Africa ? (CBSE 2012)
Answer: Nelson Mandela’s dream for the future of South Africa was one of peace, justice, and equality. He wanted a society where all people were treated equally regardless of race, gender, or religion. He wanted a society where all citizens had access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. He wanted a society where everyone was respected and given the chance to reach their full potential. He wanted a South Africa that was a beacon of hope for the rest of the world.
What pained Nelson Mandela on becoming the President of South Africa ? (CBSE 2012)
Answer: Nelson Mandela was deeply pained by the deep divisions in South African society. He was saddened by the fact that the country was still divided along racial lines and that the majority of the population was living in poverty. He was also aware of the huge task ahead of him in trying to bring about reconciliation and healing between the different racial and ethnic groups. He was determined to build a new South Africa that was based on justice, equality, and human rights for all.
What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed? (CBSE 2011)
Answer: Mandela believed that oppressor and oppressed should both be treated with respect and dignity. He believed that the oppressor should not be demonized and that the oppressed should not be patronized. He believed that only through understanding and cooperation could true reconciliation be achieved. He believed that both oppressor and oppressed should be given the opportunity to learn from each other and work together to create a better future.
What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters? (CBSE 2012)
Answer: Mandela realised that his brothers and sisters were not only his siblings, but they were also his comrades in the struggle against the oppressive apartheid regime. He saw them as equals and realised that they were all fighting for the same cause. He also realised that his brothers and sisters were the ones who had the most to lose if the struggle was unsuccessful, and he was determined to fight for their freedom. He was determined to use his position of privilege to help them achieve their goals.