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- Short Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- Theme of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- Animated Video of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- Download PDF Notes of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- NCERT Solutions of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Short Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
This chapter is an excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, the country’s first black president. It begins with the ceremonial installation of South Africa’s first democratic government. It informs us about Mandela’s ideas on freedom. It also covers Mandela’s youth, adolescence, the 30 years he spent in jail, and his career as a liberation fighter. It also acknowledges the contributions of other liberation fighters from his country.
Theme of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
The central theme of Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom is freedom from racism. It is an excerpt from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president. White skinned people ruled the society at the time, and life was hell for blacks.
Animated Video of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
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Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Installation of South Africa’s First Democratic Government
- South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government was installed on May 10, 1994.
- The ceremony was held in a sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union buildings in Pretoria, where many global leaders had assembled.
- Nelson Mandela attended the event with his daughter Zenani.
- First, Mr De Klerk was sworn in as the second Deputy President, and Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as the first.
- After them, Mandela took his oath of office as President of a free South Africa.
Mandela speaks to the visitors.
- Mandela addressed the crowd after taking the oath of office.
- He vowed to build a civilization that would be proud of all humanity.
- He praised the world leaders for attending the ceremony, which symbolised a shared victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.
- He committed to work to eradicate all forms of poverty, pain, oppression, and discrimination from society.
- He also promised that the new society will provide everyone hope, equality, and freedom.
Military prowess on display by South African jets
- South African jets exhibited military might as Mandela took the oath of office.
- It also demonstrated the military’s commitment to democracy.
- He was saluted by the highest military generals.
- He claimed that they would have arrested him years ago.
- Following that, two national anthems were played.
South Africa and apartheid
- Nelson Mandela reminisces (remembers) days gone by, which will soon be a part of history in which whites established a system of racial superiority over blacks.
- That was the foundation of the harsh societies that are now being dismantled.
- He claims that apartheid (racial segregation) has left a severe and permanent trauma on his country and its people
- It is now the system that recognises all people’s rights and freedoms.
Mandela Remembers the Freedom Warriors’ Sacrifices
- On this auspicious day, Mandela remembered the deaths of thousands of people and their struggles for equality.
- He considered himself as the sum total of all African nationalists who had given their lives for their country.
- He remembers famous liberation warriors such as Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, and others who possessed extraordinary courage, knowledge, and charity.
- Mandela learned from these liberation warriors that courage is not a lack of fear, but rather triumph over that dread.
- Mandela thought that the true riches of the country was its liberation fighters.
The Inherent Kindness of Man
- Mandela thought that being white or black does not imply righteousness or superiority.
- Nobody is born hating other people because of their skin colour or religion.
- Humans should love one another naturally, not through compulsion.
Twin Obligations of Man
- According to Mandela, every man has two responsibilities: one is to his family and the other is to his country.
- He thought that every man might achieve both of them in a civil and humane society.
- Yet a black man who was also born in South Africa cannot satisfy both requirements.
- Mandela was separated from his family so that he might serve his country.
- He was never able to fulfil his duties to his family as a result.
Mandela’s Concept of Freedom
- For Mandela as a child, freedom meant having the freedom to do whatever he pleased.
- He enjoyed complete freedom as long as he followed his father’s commands and the laws of his tribe.
- He want his own privacy as a student.
- As a young guy growing up in Johannesburg, he desired the freedom to follow his ambitions, have a family, and make a living for himself.
- He began to understand as he got older that the freedom he had as a child was only a fantasy.
Mandela Joins African National Congress
- Mandela became aware of the lack of freedom in his entire community, including himself.
- He then joined the African National Congress in an effort to help his community achieve freedom, respect, and dignity.
- His entire life was altered by the quest for universal human freedom.
- He changed from a timid young guy to a brave one, which made him go from being a law-abiding citizen to a criminal.
- He understood that freedom cannot be divided.
Mandela’s Realisation
- Mandela came to the realisation that while his community was not free, he could not enjoy his freedom.
- He also understood that the oppressor (tortured) is not free, just like the oppressed (torturer).
- The victim of oppression is a prisoner of prejudice, racism, and intolerance.
- Consequently, humanity is stolen from both the oppressor and the oppressed. They both need to be let free.
Download PDF Notes of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
NCERT Solutions of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Oral Comprehension Check
Page 18,19
Question 1.
Where did the ceremonies take place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstones?
Answer:
The ceremonies were held on the campus of the Union Building in Pretoria and were attended by dignitaries and leaders from many countries. Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are red sandstone structures in India.
Question 2.
Can you say how 10th May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer:
Due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa may experience rain during the autumn season. Thus, the 10th of May is designated as a “autumn day.”
Question 3.
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?
Answer:
Mandela refers to South Africa’s apartheid system as “an extraordinary human disaster.” During this time, there was racial segregation based on skin colour, and blacks suffered greatly. They were not permitted to demand freedom or any other right. Mandela himself spent many years as a prisoner on the infamous ‘Robben Island,’ where he was mercilessly beaten. He saw it as a great and glorious human achievement that a black person became President of a country where black people were not even considered human beings and were mistreated.
Question 4.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for ?
Answer:
Mandela felt pleased to host international leaders to the swearing-in event because South Africans were once considered outlaws. As a result, he thanks everyone who came to witness the historic ceremony. This was an international recognition of a freshly born free democratic nation, and it may be considered as a collective victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.
Question 5.
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela established the concepts of liberating people from poverty, hardship, and sorrow. He also established the vision of a society in which there would be no gender or racial discrimination.
Page 21
Question 1. What did the military generals do ? How did their attitude change and why?
Answer:
The highest military generals in South Africa’s defence force saluted Mandela and vowed their support, which was significant because they would have imprisoned him during the apartheid era. Their perspective shifted as a result of the fight and sacrifices made by numerous South African heroes. This battle not only ensured the independence of a nation oppressed by apartheid, but it also influenced many people’s attitudes. He felt that love could be taught and that humans are inherently oriented to love rather than hate.
Question 2.
Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer:
On the wonderful event of the inauguration, two national songs were sung: one by Whites and one by Blacks, symbolising the equality of Blacks and Whites.
Question 3.
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country
(i) in the first decade, and
(ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Answer:
(i) Throughout the first decade of the century, whites established a system of racial dominance over blacks, laying the groundwork for one of the harshest and most brutal societies the world had ever known.
(ii) The previous system was overthrown and replaced in the final decade of the twentieth century by one that recognised the rights and freedom of all persons regardless of skin colour.
Question 4.
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer:
For Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the triumph over fear. According to him, brave men must be fearless but also capable of conquering fear.
Question 5.
Which does Mandela think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
Love, according to Mandela, comes more naturally to the human heart than hatred.
Page 4
Question 1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer:
Mandela mentions that every man has two responsibilities. The first is to his family, which includes his parents, wife, and children; the second is to his people, community, and country.
Question 2. 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 honourable freedoms”?
Answer:
For Mandela, freedom meant having fun and living a happy life, just like it did for any other child. Childhood pranks appear transitory once one becomes an adult since most adolescent behaviours are wasteful in the eyes of an adult. You must earn a living as an adult in order to bring home the bacon. Only then will you be able to live an honourable life in your family and in society.
Question 3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not believe that the oppressor is free since, in his opinion, an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is bound by prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He recognises that both the oppressor and the oppressed have lost their humanity and harmony.
Thinking about the Text
(Page 24)
Question 1.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration ? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
To be a part of the inauguration, foreign leaders demonstrated the international community’s solidarity with the concept of ending apartheid. It symbolised the triumph of good over evil and the triumph of a tolerant society free of bigotry.
Question 2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”, who had gone before him ?
Answer:
Mandela wishes to pay honour to all those who have given their lives for the purpose of freedom by claiming that he is merely the sum of all those African patriots. He expresses gratitude to those who came before him for paving the way for him to follow in the footsteps of cooperation and harmony. As a result, he may try to gain power with their support in order to provide equality to his people.
Question 3.
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 ?
Answer:
I agree with the concept that depths of oppression produce heights of character. Nelson Mandela exemplifies this by citing examples of great South African heroes such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and others who were inspired to give their lives in the lengthy freedom struggle.
Throughout our freedom movement, there was a galaxy of great leaders, and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged persons of noble character like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Sardar Bhagat Singh, and many more. When we compare them to the calibre of political leaders available in India now, Nelson Mandela appears to be completely correct.
Question 4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer:
Mandela learned the true meaning of freedom as he became older and more experienced. As a child, he believed that he was born free and that as long as he respected his father and followed the rituals of his tribe, he was free in every way. As he grew older, the freedom to establish a family and earn a living began to dominate his thoughts. He gradually realised that he had been selfish as a child. He gradually realised that not only his freedom, but the freedom of all blacks, was being restricted. That was the absence of fear and prejudice. His perspective on freedom was broadened by age and experience.
Question 5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realised as a child that the freedom of all blacks, not just his own, was being constrained. As a result, the fearful man was changed into a bold rebel.
He sacrificed the security of a secure family life to fight for a greater good. He joined the African National Congress, which changed him from a timid young man into a fearless opponent of racial prejudice.
