Nelson Mandela Chapter

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
First Flight
Theme
The lesson pays tribute to those black heroes and patriots who waged a relentless
struggle against the apartheid or the racist regime of South Africa. Here we find a
description of the inauguration ceremony held in the Union Buildings attended by
politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries. Nelson Mandela gives a
message of peace and unity of mankind. He foresees a new regime which will be based
on the equality of men and women. He hopes that in the new regime there will be no
exploitation of man by man. There will be no room for racialism and segregation in the
new order.
Justification of Title
The title is thoroughly justified as it brings out the long seemingly endless road in jail
that Mandela had to travel for the cause so dear to him-justice. He spent most of his
time fighting for an equal society not just for his black countrymen but because it is the
right of every human being in this world. Falsely accused for 27 years, Mandela, a
political prisoner, tells his saga of how the African National Congress struggled and
succeeded to get him out of a prison cell. He had people's unstinted support as they
backed his ideas and methods. This popularity led Mandela to become the president of
South Africa after walking for so long.
Short Answer Type Questions

Answer the following 40-50 words
Q1. How does Mandela define courage and from where did he learn the meaning of
courage?
Ans. 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.
Q2. How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans. Mandela's understanding of freedom constantly changed with age and experience.
As a child freedom meant to run in the fields, to swim in the stream, to roast mealies
under the stars, etc. As a student, he wanted freedom only for himself. It meant the
transitory freedoms of going and moving out freely. When he grew up his own freedom
became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people.
Q3. Why was 10th of May, 1994 a red letter day in the history of South Africa?
Ans. 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.
Q4. 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?
Ans. 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.
Long Answer Type Questions

Answer the following in 100-120 words:
Q1. Which twin obligations does Nelson Mandela mention in the lesson? Why were he
and the rest of blacks able to fulfill those obligations?
Nelson Mandela thinks 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.
Q2. The inauguration ceremony symbolized a common victory for justice, for peace, for
human dignity against the most hated apartheid regime based on racial discrimination.
Comment.
Ans. 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 amphitheater 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 symbolized a new regime based
on equality irrespective of race and colour.

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Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Short Answer Type Questions

Long Answer Type Questions

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