Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

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NCERT Class 10 English Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, fought hard for his people's freedom. In this part of his book, he talks about a big event called "The Inauguration". He shares how, when he was young, he faced discrimination from white people, like many other black folks. As a lively young man, he dreamed of leaving home to experience freedom and marry who he wanted. But as he grew up, he realized that freedom was very important, and he chose to fight for the freedom of his people. Finally, on May 10, 1994, he made the dreams of black people come true. He talks about how black people were mistreated in one part of his country, but now they have the chance to live freely.

Activity (Page 17)

In Column A are some expressions you will find in the text. Make a guess and match each expression with an appropriate meaning from Column B.

A	B
(i) A rainbow gathering of different colours and nations	– A beautiful coming together of various peoples, like the colours in a rainbow
(ii) The seat of white supremacy	– The centre of racial superiority
(iii) Be overwhelmed with a sense of history	– Feel deeply emotional, remembering and understanding all the past events that have led up to the moment
(iv) Resilience that defies the imagination	– A great ability (almost unimaginable) to remain unchanged by suffering (not losing hope, goodness or courage)
(v) A glimmer of humanity	– A sign of human feeling (goodness, kindness, pity, justice, etc.)
(vi) A twilight existence	– A half-secret life, like a life lived in the fading light between sunset and darkness

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 18-19)

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

The events happened at a beautiful amphitheater made of sandstone at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Many important people and leaders from different countries came to the ceremonies. In India, there are two famous buildings, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort, which are also made of red sandstone.

2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?

South Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere, i.e., below the equator. In the Southern Hemisphere, the timing of the seasons is different from that of Europe and Asia, which are in the Northern Hemisphere. In Southern Africa, autumn is from March to April, and winter is from June to September. That is how May 10 becomes a ‘lovely autumn day’ in South Africa.

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?

In his speech, Mandela strongly spoke out against Apartheid in South Africa, which separated people based on their skin color. Black people suffered the most from this discrimination and were denied their freedom. Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years on Robben Island, where he was treated badly. He saw becoming South Africa's first black president as a remarkable achievement in a country where blacks faced discrimination and hardship.

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Mandela felt honoured to welcome important guests at the swearing-in ceremony, especially since South Africans were once seen as criminals. He thanked them for coming to witness history as he became the first black president. Their presence showed international support for South Africa's new freedom and democracy, marking a victory for justice, peace, and dignity.

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

Mandela aimed to free the people of South Africa from poverty, suffering, and discrimination, including gender discrimination. He wanted everyone in the country to have the right to freedom from all types of unfair treatment and prejudice.

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 21)

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

The top military leaders and police officers in South Africa saluted and promised their loyalty to Mandela. This was important because during apartheid, they would have arrested him. Their attitudes towards black people changed because of the struggles and sacrifices made by many South African heroes. This fight for freedom not only challenged apartheid but also changed the way many people think. Mandela believed that love can be taught and that people naturally lean towards love more than hate.

2. Why were two national anthems sung?

During the inauguration ceremony, two national anthems were sung. The White people sang 'Nkosi Sikelel-iAfrika' and the Black people sang 'Die Stem,' the old anthem of the Republic. Singing both anthems represented equal rights for White and Black people.

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?

(i) In the early 1900s, white people in South Africa came together and created a system where they controlled and mistreated the dark-skinned people of their country. This led to one of the cruelest and most unfair societies in history.

(ii) In the final decade of the twentieth century, the previous system of government had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

4. What does courage mean to Mandela?

According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that fear.

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

Mandela thought that love comes more naturally to the human heart rather than hate.

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 24)

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Mandela mentions two obligations that every man has in life – (i) obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and (ii) he has an obligation 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”?

Like most children, Mandela thought freedom meant being happy and having fun during his childhood. But as he grew up, he realized that childish activities were not important for adults. Adults focus on earning a living and supporting themselves. They learn to appreciate the freedom they have within their family and society.

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

Mandela believes that the person who oppresses others is not truly free. He thinks that oppressors are trapped by their own hate and narrow thinking, like prisoners. He feels that both the oppressors and the oppressed lose their humanity and peace of mind because of this.

Thinking about the Text (Page 24)

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

As part of the inauguration ceremony, leaders from around the world showed support for the end of apartheid. This represented the victory of good over evil and the success of a society that embraces tolerance and rejects prejudice and discrimination based on caste, color, or creed.

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

When Mandela says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots,” he is honoring all the people who sacrificed their lives for freedom. He's grateful to them for paving the path of cooperation and unity. Mandela believes that with their support, he can bring equality to his people when he comes to power.

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?

Yes, I agree with the idea that enduring oppression can build strong character. Nelson Mandela explains this by highlighting how heroes like Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu showed great courage and sacrifice in the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Similarly, in India, leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose stood up against British oppression. Mandela's point is that facing oppression can bring out the best in people, shaping them into strong leaders who inspire others. This shows that great leaders often emerge from times of hardship and suffering.

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

As Mandela grew older, he began to see freedom differently. When he was young, he felt free as long as he followed his father's rules and tribal customs. But as he matured, he realized that true freedom meant more than just obeying family and tradition. He understood that his people, the Black community, were suffering from discrimination and deprivation. This made him realize the importance of fighting for the freedom of all Black people, not just himself. With age and experience, Mandela's understanding of freedom deepened, leading him to advocate for the rights of his people.

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

As Mandela grew up, he saw that it wasn't only his freedom that was restricted, but all Black people were suffering. His desire for freedom turned into a passion for the freedom of his fellow Black citizens. This changed him from a scared person into a brave rebel. Mandela gave up a comfortable family life to fight for his people's freedom. He joined the African National Congress and became fearless in his fight against racial prejudice and discrimination based on skin colour.

Thinking about Language (Page 24-26)

I. There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing -(at)ion or ment. There may be a change in the spelling of some verb – noun pairs: such as rebel, rebellion; constitute, constitution.

1. Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.