Comprehension Check

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

Answer

The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria.
The Parliament House in New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the
Supreme Court of India in New Delhi and Madras High Court in Chennai are
some examples of Indian public buildings that are made of sandstone.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?

Answer

10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa because on this day there was the
largest gathering of international leaders on South African soil for the
installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.

Page No: 19

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

By human disaster Mandela means to say that coloured people have suffered a
lot due to discrimination in the hands of whites. He considered it as great
glorious human achievement that a black person became the president of a
country where the blacks are not considered as human being and are treated
badly.

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Answer
Mandela felt privileged to be the host to the nations of the world because not
too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. He thus thanked all
the international leaders for having come to witness his investiture as President
since this event could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and
human dignity.

5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Answer

Mandela set out the ideals of poverty alleviation, removal of suffering of

people. He also set the ideal for a society where there would be no
discrimination based on gender or racial origins.

Page No: 21

Oral Comprehension Check

1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?

Answer

The highest military generals of the South African defence force and police
saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty.
Their attitude towards blacks had taken great change. Instead of arresting a
black they saluted him.

2. Why were two national anthems sung?

Answer

On the day of the inauguration, two national anthems were sung, one by the
whites, and the other by the blacks. This symbolized the equality of blacks and
whites.
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) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of
South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial
domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land, thus creating the
basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever
known.
(ii) In the last decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been
overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedoms
of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

4. What does courage mean to Mandela?

Answer

For Mandela courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear.
According to him brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer
fear.

5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Answer

For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.

Page No: 24

Oral Comprehension Check

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Answer
Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his
family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is to his people, his
community and his country.

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

Like any other kid for Mandela also the freedom meant a freedom to make
merry and enjoy the blissful life. Once anybody becomes an adult then antics of
childhood looks like transitory because most of the childish activity is wasteful
from an adult’s perspective. Once you are adult then someday you have to earn
a livelihood to bring the bacon home, then only you get an honourable existence
in the family and in the society.

3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?

Answer

Mandela does not feel that the oppressor is free because according to him an
oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and
narrow-mindedness. He feels that both the oppressor and the oppressed are
robbed of their humanity.

Thinking about the Text

1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration?
What did it signify the triumph of?

Answer

The presence of large number of international leaders was a gesture of solidarity

from international community to the idea of the end of apartheid. It signified
the triumph of good over evil, the triumph of the idea of a tolerant society
without any discrimination.

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 wants to pay his tribute to all the people who had sacrificed their lives
for the sake of freedom. he feels that he is the sum of all those African patriots
who had gone before him because those heroes of yesterday years had paved the
path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he got the support of his
people to be able to come to power to bring equality for his own people.

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

Yes, I agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of

character”. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes
of South Africa who sacrificed their lives in the long freedom struggle. India is
full of such examples. During our freedom struggle there was a galaxy of
leaders of great characters. Probably the oppression of British rule created so
many men of such characters. If we compare this with the quality of political
leaders India is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.

4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and

experience?

Answer

With age Nelson Mandela realised that he had a lot of responsibilities of his
people, his community and his country. As a boy, Mandela did not have a
hunger for freedom because he thought that he was born free. He believed that
as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was
free in every possible manner. He had certain needs as a teenager and certain
needs as a young man. Gradually, he realized that he was selfish during his
boyhood. He slowly understands that it is not just his freedom that is being
curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It is after attaining this understanding
that he develops a hunger for the freedom of his people.

5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?

Answer

Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being
curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. The hunger for his own freedom
became the hunger for the freedom of his people. This desire of a non-racial
society transformed him into a virtuous and self-sacrificing man. Thus, he
joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened
young man into a bold man.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the

amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria?

Answer

It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around
the world and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make
the day memorable. So, it took place in, the amphitheatre formed by the Union
Building in Pretoria.

Question 2. What do you understand by Apartheid’?

Answer

‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In

this system black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to
discharge their personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and
husbands, etc.

Question 3. Why could men not fulfil their twin obligations?

Answer
In South Africa, if a coloured person tried to fulfil his obligations to his people,
he is isolated and prevented from fulfilling his obligation to his family. So, men
could not fulfil their twin obligations.

Question 4. Where did the ‘ceremonies’ take place? Why were the
ceremonies so important?

Answer

The ‘ceremonies’ took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in Pretoria in

south Africa. The ceremonies were so important because these were meant for
the celebration of victory of the south African natives over the ruling whites and
for the installation of south Africa’s first ever democracy.

Question 5. How had the military general’s attitude changed, and why?

Answer

he military generals had witnessed the extraordinary courage and wisdom

shown by Nelson Mandela in freeing South Africa from the bondage of the
whites. The military generals, who would have arrested Mandela earlier, have
now pledge their loyalty to him. This shows their change in attitude.

Question 6. How was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history?

Answer

In the first decade of the twentieth century and before Mandela’s birth, the
whites in South Africa had erected a system of racial domination known as
‘apartheid’. In the last decade of the twentieth century, when Mandela was in
his eighties, he saw that system crumbling. So, he was overwhelmed with a
sense of history.
Question 7. What problems hinder each man to fulfil these obligations in
South Africa?

Answer

Whenever a native South African tries to fulfil his duty to his people, he is
ripped from his family and forced to live an isolated life. He is isolated even if
he tries to live as a human being. So, it is very difficult in South Africa to fulfil
these obligations.

Question 8. How did the policy of apartheid create a deep and lasting
wound in South African blacks?

Answer

No doubt, the policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South
Africa and the blacks. It would take many years to recover from that profound
hurt. The racial discrimination unleashed a reign of terror, oppression and
brutality on the blacks of South Africa.

Question 9. Why was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history and

what bad thing happened in the first decade of the 10th century?

Answer

Mandela is overwhelmed with a sense of history and remembers when the hated
apartheid policy was introduced in South Africa. After the Boer war, the white
people of South Africa patched up their differences. They set up a system of
racial domination against the black people of their own race.

Question 10. What did the display of jets and military salute symbolise?
Answer

There was a spectacular show of South African jets and troop carriers over the
Union Buildings. The highest generals of the military and police saluted
President Mandela. It was a clear demonstration of the military’s loyalty to
democracy, to a free and fairly elected government.

Question 11. What ideals did Mandela set out for the future of South Africa
in his speech?

Answer

Mandela set out ideals for the future of South Africa because he had deep
feelings for his country and countrymen. He pledged to liberate all the people
from poverty, deprivation and discrimination.

Question 12. What was born out of the experience of an extraordinary

human disaster? Why should humanity be proud of it?

Answer

The apartheid regime was an extraordinary human disaster for the blacks of
South Africa. The end of the apartheid laid down the foundation of a non-racial
democratic regime in South Africa. This government based on human equality
and dignity would be an ideal one of which all humanity will be proud.

Question 13. Where did the ceremonies take place? What had it been for
decades?

Answer
The ceremonies of the inauguration of the new government took place at the
lovely sandstone amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The same
place had remained the seat of white supremacy for decades.

Question 14. What did Nelson Mandela pledge when he was sworn in as
President?

Answer

Nelson Mandela pledged to uphold the Constitution of his country and devote
him to liberate his people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering,
gender and other discriminations. There would be freedom and justice for all.

Question 15. When did Mandela’s hunger for self-turn into a hunger for
freedom for all his people?

Answer

Mandela gradually realized that freedom was curtailed for those people who
looked like he did, but not for the whites. Consequently, he joined the African
National Congress, and that was when his “hunger for freedom” became a
“greater hunger.”

Question 16. How does Mandela define courage and from where did he
learn the meaning of courage?

Answer

Nelson Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from great patriots and
comrades in the struggle. They risked their lives and stood up to attacks and
tortures of the apartheid regime. He learned that courage was not the absence of
fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid, but
he who conquers that fear.
Question 17. Why was it impossible for a man of Mandela’s birth and
colour to fulfil the twin obligations?

Answer

In South Africa, no black could fulfil the twin obligations. If a black who tried
to live as a human being was punished and isolated. A person who tried to fulfil
his duty to his people was separated from his family and was forced to live in
secrecy and rebellion.

Question 18. 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

In the first decade of the 20th century, the whites erected a system of racial
discrimination against the blacks. They set up the most inhumane system of
apartheid where the blacks were denied the fundamental right of freedom. In the
last decade of the twentieth century, the system was overturned. The policy of
apartheid was uprooted from the land and a new non-racial democratic
government was installed to ensure equal rights and freedom to all the people of
South Africa.

Question 19. When and how did Mandela’s hunger for his own freedom
becomes the greater hunger for the freedom of his people?

Answer
Mandela realised that not only was he not free, but his people were not free.
When he joined the African National Congress, then his hunger for his own
freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people.

Question 20. Freedom is “indivisible”, said Mandela. How were the chains
on anyone were the chains on all of his people?

Answer

Mandela thought that he is not more virtuous than the others. He thought that
“freedom is indivisible”. The chains on any one of his people were chains on all
of them. The chains on all of his people were the chains on him.

Question 21. What unintended effect was produced by decades of

oppression?

Answer

The decades of oppression made him a strong person. He set out the goal to
liberate the people of South Africa from continuing bondage of poverty,
deprivation, suffering and other discrimination. He decided to have freedom and
justice for all.

Question 22. Why is 10th May 1994 important for South Africa?

Answer

10th May 1994 is important for South Africa because first democratic non-racial
government elections were held on this day in the country. Nelson Mandela
became the first black president of the country.
Question 23. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the
Inaugural Ceremony?

Answer

He remembered the history — the birth Apartheid, its effect on his people and
long fight for freedom. He remembered the freedom fighters that suffered and
sacrificed for freedom. He also remembered what freedom meant to him at
different stages of life and his hunger for freedom.

Question 24. How was that site a rainbow gathering of different colours
and nations?

Answer

The end of the apartheid regime was a common victory for peace, justice and
human dignity. Leaders and dignitaries of all nations irrespective of their
colour, race and religion had gathered there to celebrate that victory. So, the site
presented a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations.

Question 25. Who was given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of
the world on their own soil?

Answer: Those who were outlaws not so long ago were given the rare privilege.
They had the privilege of hosting and welcoming nations of the world on their
soul. The blacks were no more outlaws now but enjoyed equality and human
dignity.

Question 26. Why did the same generals salute Mandela who would have
arrested him not so many years ago?

Answer
In the apartheid regime, Nelson Mandela was a rebel and was in prison for
many years. After the end of the apartheid, he was the head of the non-racial
democratically elected government of South Africa. The same generals who
would have put him in prison not so long ago were obliged to salute the
president of the new Republic of South Africa.

Question 27. Why was the apartheid regime in South Africa was one of the
harshest and most inhuman systems in the world?

Answer

The apartheid regime was based on the racial discrimination and exploitation of
blacks in South Africa. The basic or fundamental rights were only for the whites
and the blacks were deprived of these freedoms. Oppression, torture and
exploitation of the blacks were common features of the apartheid regime.

Question 28. How did the policy of apartheid and deep oppression produce
patriots of extraordinary, courage, wisdom and generosity?

Answer

The policy of apartheid unleashed a reign of terror and oppression on the black
people but they could not break their resolution and determination. The deep
oppression produced patriot of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity. It
produced thousands of Tambos, Sisulus, Sadoos, Fischer’s and Sobukwes of
their time.

Question 29. Whose names were particularly taken by Mandela in the

inauguration ceremony?

Answer
In the inauguration ceremony, Mandela announced the names of Oliver
Tamboo, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fisher and Robert
Sobukwes. These men were of extraordinary courage and wisdom.

Question 30. How can people be taught to love? Which comes naturally to
the human heart — love or hate?

Answer

No one is born hating another person because of his colour or race. People are
taught to hate. And if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love. Love comes
more naturally to the human heart than hatred.

Question 31. Was Mandela born with a hunger to be free? What did
freedom mean to him in childhood?

Answer

Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. In childhood, freedom
has a very limited concept. He felt that he was free to run in the fields, free to
swim in the stream near his village and ride the broad backs of slow-moving
bulls. As long as he obeyed his father and the customs of his life, he was a free
man.

Question 32. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude
changed, and why?

Answer

They obey their masters. They acted under the orders of the whites so far.
Today they had shown their loyalty to the democracy. Earlier they arrested
Mandela. Today they showed their loyalty to him by saluting him. There was a
change in system. The newly elected non-racial democratic government had
changed their (military generals) attitude. Now they were not the servants of the
whites. They were now in the service of their own people.

Question 33. What, according to Mandela, is ‘true freedom’?

Answer

When Mandela was a boy, freedom for him meant to run freely in the fields and
to swim in the streams. As a young man, he wanted basic and honourable
freedoms, eg. to earn his living, too many and to have a family. According to
Mandela, true freedom means freedom not to be obstructed in leading a lawful
life.

Question 34. What were the two anthems sung on the day of oath-taking
ceremony?

Answer

On the day of oath-taking ceremony, the two anthems were sung. ‘Nkosi
Sikelel-i-Afrika’ was for the whites and ‘Die stem’ was for the blacks. ‘Die
stem’ was the old anthem of the country.

Question 35. Why did Nelson Mandela feel that both the oppressor and the
oppressed are robbed of their humanity and hence, both of them must be
liberated?

Answer

Nelson Mandela rightly believes that both the oppressor and the oppressed are
robbed of their humanity. A man who takes away another’s freedom is a
prisoner of hatred. He is locked behind the bars of prejudice and hate. A person
can never be free if his freedom is taken away. Hence, the oppressed and the
oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
Question 36. What pained Nelson Mandela on becoming the President of
South Africa?

Answer

Nelson Mandela was sad for not being able to thank those African patriots who
had fought for independence and sacrificed their lives for it. This pained him
that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had brought.

Question 37. What ideals does Mandela set out for the future of South
Africa in his speech?

Answer

The ideal Mandela set out for the future of South Africa in his speech was to
liberate the people of South Africa from continuing bondage of poverty,
deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations.

Question 38. What did the generals and police officers do on that day?

Answer

The generals and police officers were also there. They were in their uniform.
They had ribbons and medals on their chests. They saluted Mandela with great
respect. Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. Although, many
years ago, they might have arrested him.

Question 39. Why was the 10th of May, 1994 a red-letter day in the history
of South Africa

Answer
10th of May 1994 was a red-letter day in the history of South Africa. It was the
day when the hated regime of apartheid came to an end. A new democratically
elected non-racial government under Nelson Mandela was to be sworn in. Many
international leaders and dignitaries came to pay their respect to the new
government.

Question 40. Who were the persons sworn in on the 10th of May? What did
Mandela pledge to obey?

Answer

Mr. de Klerk was first sworn in as second Deputy President. Then Thabo Mbeki
was sworn in as first Deputy President. Then, in the end, Mr. Nelson Mandela
was sworn in as the President of the Republic of South Africa. He pledged to
obey and uphold the constitution and devote himself to the well being of the
Republic and its people.

Question 41. After achieving political emancipation what does Mandela

want to do in South Africa?

Answer

South Africa and the blacks have achieved their political emancipation.
Mandela pledges to liberate his people from the bondage of poverty, want,
suffering, gender and other discriminations. South Africa will never ever
experience the oppression of one by another. He wishes the reign of freedom
will never die in South Africa.

Question 42. What is the meaning of courage to Mandela?

Answer
According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it.
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Mandela learned the true meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle.

Question 43. What did the playing of two national anthems symbolise?

Answer

On the historic day of the inauguration ceremony of the Republic of South

Africa, two national anthems were played. The whites song `Nkosi Sikelel-i-
Africa’ and the black sang ‘Die Stem’. Neither group knew the lyrics of the
anthem they once despised. They would soon know the words by heart.

Question 44. Why does Nelson Mandela call himself simply the sum of
those African patriots who had gone before him?

Answer

Nelson Mandela gratefully acknowledges the sacrifices of thousands of his

people who fought against the apartheid regime. Their suffering and courage
can never be cemented or repaid. Mandela humbly believes that he was simply
the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before him.

Question 45. How did South African jets, helicopters and troops
demonstrate?

Answer

It was a very special day for all. South African jets, helicopters and troop
carriers roared in perfect formation. They flew over the Union Buildings. It was
a show of military’s loyalty to the country and its democracy.
Question 46. What is the greatest wealth of a country according to Nelson
Mandela?

Answer

South Africa is rich in minerals and gems. But minerals and gems are not the
greatest wealth of a nation. Mandela thinks that the greatest and real wealth of a
nation is its people. They are finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

Question 47. What did Mandela think about the oppressor and the
oppressed?

Answer

Mandela thought about the oppressor and the oppressed that both are robbed
equally. A mail who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred.
In the same way, if his freedom is taken away, they both are without freedom.
So both of them must be liberated.

Question 48. What are the twin obligations every man has in life?

Answer

Mandela thinks that every man has twin obligations in life. The first is his
obligation to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children. The second
duty is his duty to his people, his community and his country. Each man has to
fulfil these two obligations according to his position and abilities.

Question 49. What were the transitory freedoms that Nelson Mandela
yearned for as a young man? Why did he feel that his boyhood freedom
was an illusion?

Answer
Nelson Mandela felt that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. His freedom had
already been taken from him. Then he began to hunger for it. At first, he wished
the transitory freedoms of staying out. Later on, he yearned for basic needs of
earning, marrying and having a family.

Question 50. What did Mandela say about the future of the country in his
speech?

Answer

In his speech, Nelson Mandela said, “I see a bright future of the country. Now
no one will experience the oppression by another. It will make much progress.
All people shall be free to do what they like.”

Question 51. What animated Mandela’s life and transformed a frightened

young lawyer into a bold criminal?

Answer

It was the desire for the freedom of his people to live their lives with dignity and
self-respect that animated his life. It transformed a frightened young man into a
bold one. It drove a law-abiding attorney to be a criminal. It turned a family
loving husband to live like a monk.

Question 52. How did ‘hunger for freedom’ change Mandela’s life?

Answer

In the beginning of his life, Mandela was not aware about freedom. Later,
Mandela found that his freedom had been taken away from him. As a student,
he wanted freedom only for himself but slowly his own freedom became the
greater hunger for the freedom of his people. This changed him completely.
Question 53. What are the ‘twin obligations’ referred to by Nelson
Mandela?

Answer

According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations in life. The first
obligation is to his family, to his parents, wife and children. Secondly, he has an
obligation to his country, people, and community.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Summarise the chapter ‘Nelson Mandela -Long walk to

Freedom.

Answer

The chapter was taken from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk to
Freedom. Nelson Mandela spoke about a historic occasion, ‘the inauguration’
after becoming the first Black President of South Africa. The inauguration
ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria today. It
was attended by politician and dignitaries from more than 140 countries around
the world. After a long period of White domination, South Africa had become a
democratic republic. Mandela called it a common victory for justice, peace and
human dignity. He also called it a glorious human achievement. He pledged to
liberate all his people from the continuing bondage of poverty, derivation,
suffering, gender and other discrimination. He fought for the freedom of his
people. The British rulers of South Africa followed the policy of apartheid,
which discriminated the Black from the White people. Mandela called it an
extra ordinary human disaster. He believed, the deeper the oppression, the
higher the character. From his comrades he learned that courage meant not the
absence of fear but the triumph over it. According to him every man had twin
obligations- obligations to his family and obligation to his people, his country.
He found no difference between the oppressor and the oppressed. He called
both of them prisoners. One was imprisoned behind the bars; the other was
imprisoned behind bars of hatred. He was an enthusiastic young boy who
wanted to enjoy freedom. He wished the sun of freedom to shine on his country
and countrymen forever.

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

Freedom had different meanings for Mandela at different stages. As a boy,

freedom for him meant to run freely in the fields and to swim in the stream. As
a student he wanted freedom to stay out at nights, to read what he liked, later he
realised that this freedom was an illusion. He found that all the black brothers
and sisters were in chains. There was no freedom for a respectful life. Their
freedom was curtailed at every stage. He wanted the basic and honourable
freedom of achieving his potential of earning his keep, of marrying and having a
family. He believed that freedom is indivisible. Everyone has to be free.

Question 3. What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary

human disaster”?

Answer

Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the
black people as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched
freedom from the coloured people of South Africa to whom the country
belonged. The black people were subjected to oppression for long. They were
not even allowed to discharge their obligations to their own families,
community and their country. White people had no compassion for them and
oppressed their own people and put them in prison. If they had some freedom, it
was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a slave.
Question 4. Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought
and sacrificed their likes for the country’s political independence?

Answer

Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of
thousands of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be
repaid. He thought himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He
regretted that he could not thank them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that
wounded the people of his country, which would take centuries to heal. He also
said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great
freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer,
Sobukwe and many more. They were the men of courage, wisdom and large
heartedness. They really suffered a lot for the political freedom of the country.

Question 5. Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it
is important for the growth of civilisation and humanism as described in
the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’.

Answer

Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to live free as freedom is

natural to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human
being who has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the
limits and not allowed to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than
anyone else. For instance the value of freedom is known better to Mandela who
remained behind the bars most of his life. Think about a bird or animal which is
caged as they have the habit of living with full freedom but in the cage they are
not free and their conditions are very pitiable. Similarly, life becomes a hell if
we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth of civilisation as it grows only
when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism grows in the atmosphere of
freedom.
Question 6. What differences came in Mandela’s opinion about the
meaning of freedom, when he was a little boy and w hen he became young?

Answer

There were many differences in Mandela’s opinion about the meaning of

freedom, when he was a little boy and when he became young. While he was a
little boy, the meaning of freedom was to run in the fields and to swim in the
streams.When he became young, he realised that his freedom was an illusion.
Now he had realised that not only his freedom, but also others freedom had
been seized. So he felt a hunger for freedom now. He wanted that all the people
of his country should live with self-respect. They must do what they liked.

Question 7. “I was not born with a hunger to be free.” What was the result
of his hunger for freedom?

Answer

When Nelson Mandela was a young boy, he didn’t know anything about
freedom. His hunger for freedom began when he saw his people being punished
under the policy of apartheid. It was clear to him that his boyhood freedom was
just an illusion. Then he had come to know that he and his countrymen had no
freedom.
They could not say anything freely. Now Mandela’s hunger for freedom had
increased. Although, as a student, he wanted freedom only for himself but after
growing up, he started to think maturely about the freedom. He saw that in
South Africa everybody’s freedom was curtailed. Thus the result of his hunger
for freedom was the freedom of the country.

Question 8. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum
of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?

Answer
Mandela’s hunger for freedom forced him to join African National Congress to
eradicate the system of apartheid. Before him thousands of the patriots had
sacrificed their lives.
Mandela does not take the entire credit. He calls himself simply the sum of all
those African patriots who had laid the path towards the achievement of
success. He continued the movement started by them. He was only a part of that
movement.

Question 9. What Mandela think about the patriots? Can they be repaid?

Answer

Nelson Mandela thinks that the freedom and democratic government have all
come only due to the great sacrifices of thousands of patriots. They were those
men who did not care about their lives and died for their people and country.
They can’t be repaid. He thinks himself the sum of all those who had sacrificed
their lives. Now he regrets that he was not able to thank them. According to
Mandela, the policy of apartheid greatly wounded the people. It was hard to
recover. It would take much time. These great patriots were Oliver Tambo,
Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe, etc.

Question 10. Discuss the scene of the inauguration ceremony? Who took
oath in the ceremony? Why is the inauguration called a historic occasion
for South Africa?

Answer

It was the bright and clear day of 10th May, 1994. The inauguration ceremony
took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. The most famous
world leaders and representatives gathered there. The generals and police
officers were also there. They had medals and ribbons on their chests. South
African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the
Union Buildings. First of all Mr. de Klerk, then Thabo Mbeki and then Nelson
Mandela took the oath.
Question 11. Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech used these two words
‘an extraordinary human disaster’ and so ‘glorious human achievement’.
What did he mean by that?

Answer

The extraordinary disaster was the rule of Apartheid in South Africa. This
disaster of racial discrimination brought oppression, deprivation, cruelty and
suffering for the black people of South Africa. Blacks were not allowed to visit
the places reserved for the whites. They led a life of humiliation.
At last on 10 May 1994, after more than three centuries of white rule, Nelson
Mandela’s African National Congress Party won the elections. Nelson Mandela
became the first black President of South Africa.

Question 12. What ideas does Mandela have about courage, love and hate?

Answer

According to Mandela, he learnt the meaning of courage from his comrades.

They struggled very hard for the freedom of the country. They did not care for
their lives. They sacrificed everything for their people and country. They did not
break before the brutality of the oppressors. They showed their full strength. So
Mandela learned courage from them. To him, courage means not the absence of
fear but the victory over it. The brave man is one who conquers fear. No man is
born hating another man due to colour or religion. Love comes more naturally
to the human heart than hate. According to Mandela, both the oppressor and the
oppressed are the prisoners of hatred. No one can become happy after taking
away other’s freedom.

Question 13. What are two obligations that Mandela described in this
lesson? What was the reason that he was not able to fulfil those
obligations?
Answer

In the lesson, Mandela described two obligations that everyone had to perform.
One obligation is for the family, children and wife and second obligation is for
the country and community. But due to apartheid policy in South Africa,
Mandela was not able to fulfil his obligation. Although men could fulfil these
obligations according to their capacities and abilities. But in South Africa it was
impossible for the blacks. When Mandela tried to fulfil them for his family, he
was cut off from his family. He was forced to live the life of separation. When
he tried to serve his country, he was put into prison. Thus, Mandela was not able
to fulfil his obligations.

Question 14. India is a country of unity in diversity—there are different

languages, traditions, dresses, castes and cultures. Do you find any sort of
discrimination in India?

Answer

India is a very big country. It has different languages, traditions, dresses, castes
and cultures. Even then India has unity in diversity. Its Constitution gives
equality to every citizen. There is no place for colour prejudice in it. In India
everyone has a right to get education to appear in competitions and to live at
any place. There is no discrimination among Indians on the basis of caste, creed
and colour. Indians can live in any state and they can marry in any caste. There
is no colour discrimination in India.

Question 15. What were the difficulties faced by Nelson Mandela in

achieving freedom for his people?

Answer

In his endeavour to get freedom for his countrymen from the rule of Apartheid,
Nelson Mandela had to undergo many hardships and suffered a lot. This great
patriot had to sacrifice the comfort of his home and loving family. He was
declared an outlaw for demanding equality for all his fellow black Africans. He
was punished, isolated and put into jail. He and his comrades were oppressed
and tortured beyond tolerance. He suffered hunger, oppression and injustice but
kept the flame of independence burning in his heart. His undaunted courage,
persistent struggle and unparallel sacrifice bore fruit and South Africa got
freedom from the rule of Apartheid on 10 May 1994.

Question 16. What does courage mean to Mandela? How did he learn the
meaning of courage? What do you get about courage, love and hate from
this chapter?

Answer

In this chapter, Nelson Mandela says that he learnt the meaning of courage from
the comrades. They were freedom fighters. They did not care about their lives.
He had seen those people who had sacrificed their life for the country.
He learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. In other
words, the brave man is one who conquers fear. In Mandela’s opinion, no man
is born to hate another man on the basis of skin, colour or religion. Love comes
more naturally to the human heart than from its opposite. Both the oppressor
and the oppressed are the prisoners of hatred. They take away each other’s
freedom.

Question 17. 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

Yes, it is true that the depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson
Mandela illustrated this argument by giving examples of some people of
extraordinary courage and wisdom. This period of struggle to end apartheid
produced people like Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, Bram Fischers and so
on in the soil, of South Africa. Nelson Mandela himself was a product of the
same conditions. The hunger for freedom changed his life. The history of India
is full of such characters. Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar
Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai and so on were the people of
extraordinary courage produced by the depth of oppression in India.

Question 18. The inauguration ceremony symbolised a common victory for

justice, for peace, for human dignity against the most hated apartheid
regime based on racial discrimination. Comment.

Answer

The inauguration ceremony of the installation of a democratically elected

government in South Africa was of great historical importance. After the Boer
war, the white ‘peoples’, patched up their differences. They imposed the
domination of the whites through the apartheid based on racial discrimination.
The inauguration ceremony attracted worldwide recognition. International
leaders and dignitaries from more than 140 countries assembled at the
amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The whole world hailed it as a common victory for justice, for peace, for human
dignity. The grand struggle of the black patriots against the most hated regime
of apartheid succeeded. There was a spectacular display of jets and the salute by
the bedecked generals with ribbons to President Mandela. It showed the
military’s loyalty to democracy. The playing of the two national anthems
symbolised a new regime based on equality irrespective of race and colour.

Question 19. What were Mandela’s opinions about the first and last
decades of the twentieth century?
Why does he say on the day of the inauguration that he was overwhelmed
with a sense of history? .

Answer

On the day of the inauguration, the speaker’s mind went back to history. He
remembered the first decade, when the whites ruled over South Africa and they
made a discrimination against the blacks. They built a system of racial
discrimination against the blacks. Their behaviour was full of cruelty. They
meted out inhuman treatment to the blacks. But now in the last decade of this
century, this cruel system was overturned. Now a new system replaced it. It was
the first democratic government of South Africa. Now there will be no
discrimination on the basis of colour.
That is why, on the day of the inauguration, he was overwhelmed with a sense
of history.

Question 20. What ideas did we get about freedom, the oppressor and the
oppressed from this lesson? How did Nelson Mandela get hunger for
freedom?

Answer

According to Mandela, both the oppressor and the oppressed need freedom. Not
only the oppressed is without freedom, but also the oppressor. He is the prisoner
of hatred, only his level of thinking encourages him to snatch others freedom. It
is all due to his narrow mindedness. It is an obvious idea that the oppressed has
no freedom. Nelson Mandela had hunger for freedom, when he knew that his
freedom had been snatched. His idea for freedom was an illusion. He saw that
his brothers and sisters were without freedom. His hunger for freedom
encouraged him to join the African National Congress.

Question 21. Nelson Mandela was the hero of South Africa’s freedom
movement. Comment.

Answer

Nelson Mandela was a true hero of South Africa’s freedom movement. His
conscience encouraged him to demand a respectful and unique life for all. His
soul cleared him about the twin obligations for everyone. He was always
determined to fulfil them. He performed his obligations for his family as well as
for his community. Although he was prevented from doing so, yet he did not
stop and got discouraged.

Question 22. Why does Mandela say that freedom is indivisible? How are
the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity?

Answer

Nelson Mandela believes that freedom is indivisible. His hunger for his own
freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people. He couldn’t
live his life with dignity and self-respect if his own people were bound in
chains. The chains on any one of his people were the chains on all of them. The
chains on all of his people were the chains on him. Mandela realised that the
oppressor must be liberated as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away
another’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, prejudice and narrow mindedness. He
is not truly free if he is taking away someone else’s freedom. Surely, he is not
free when his freedom is taken away from him. Thus the oppressed and the
oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

Question 23. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend
the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?

Answer

A large number of international leaders attended the installation ceremony of

first democratic non- racial government in South Africa. It was the end of
apartheid in South Africa. It was a common victory for justice, for peace and for
human dignity. The international community supported the cause of South
Africa. It signified the triumph of humanity against oppression, fear and
discrimination. Both the oppressor and the oppressed were liberated.

Question 24. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer

Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. With time and
experience he discovered that the boyhood freedom was only an illusion. He
found that as a young mem his freedom had already been taken away from him.
His people and community were denied the fundamental right of living a
dignified life.
This made him hungry for freedom. Ha joined the African National Congress.
This desire for the freedom transformed him from a frightened young man into
bold one, a law-abiding person to a criminal, a family-loving person to a man
without a home. This desire forced a life-loving man to live the life of a monk.

Question 25. Draw a character-sketch of Nelson Mandela highlighting his

struggle against the apartheid regime for the human rights of his people.

Answer

Nelson Mandela was the tallest of all the black heroes who waged a relentless
fight against the racial-regime in South Africa. He suffered untold sufferings
and tortures in prison but led the country to install the first democratically
elected government in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was not born with a
hunger to be free. Later on, he realised that his boyhood freedom was an
illusion. He also realised his concept of freedom in his youth was also
‘transitory’ and was limited to his personal freedom.

Only when he joined the African National Congress, his own freedom became
the greater hunger for the freedom of his people. Only then, a frightened young
lawyer was transformed into a bold `criminal’. A family-loving husband was
forced to lead the life of a monk in secrecy. Nelson Mandela is grateful in
acknowledging the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of black heroes for the
freedom of their people. Modestly, he realises that freedom is indivisible. He
realised that he could not lead a free and honourable life if his people were in
chains.
Nelson Mandela had a wider vision of humanity. For him, freedom was
comprehensive and couldn’t be divided. It shows his greatness that both the
oppressor and the oppressed should be liberated. Both of them alike are robbed
of their humanity.

Question 26. Which twin obligations does Nelson Mandela mention in the
lesson? Why were he and the rest of blacks able to fulfil those obligations?

Answer

Nelson Mandela that every man has twin obligations in life. The first obligation
of a man is to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children. He has another
obligation also. He has an obligation to his people, his community and his
country. Every man is to do his duty according to his situation and strength.

But in South Africa, it was impossible for a man like Mandela or other blacks to
fulfil those obligations. If a man tried to live as a human being, he was punished
and isolated. If any person in South Africa tried to do his duty to his people, he
was forcefully separated from his family and his home. He was forced to lead a
life of secrecy and rebellion. Nelson Mandela placed his people above his
family. In attempting to serve his people, he was prevented from fulfilling his
obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.