KRMVP/2021-‘22/Class X/ English / Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

INTRODUCTION

This lesson is an excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography and it takes the readers back to
May 10, 1994 when Mandela was sworn in as the first black President of Democratic South
Africa. It is an account of the atrocities and oppression inflicted by the white rulers on the black
natives in South Africa. In this lesson Mandela shares a few of his bitter experiences during his
freedom struggle, as well as overwhelming emotions that he experienced when finally a
democratic era was ushered in after years of struggle. He also pays homage to the brave hearts of
South Africa who made it possible for Africa to see this day of independence.

Important Expressions

1. Rainbow Gathering
The politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries gathered together in the
inauguration ceremony to witness the installation of the first non-racial government
irrespective of colour, race, caste, and nationality.

2. ‘Autumn Day’
It has a symbolic meaning in South Africa. In autumn season, all the old leaves fall from the
tree and give birth to new leaves. In the same way, an old racial government had given way to
the non- racial democratic government in South Africa. It was the beginning of the new era.

3. Twilight Existence
By the term twilight existence the author means an existence full of uncertainty that is
rendered by continuous and long prison terms, unending torture, isolation from family, friends
and the outside world..

4. Greatest wealth of the country is not the purest diamond

The strength of a country lies in its people. Mandela’s comrades achieved freedom which
cannot be achieved by possessing the purest diamonds.

Important Questions:

1. Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech used these two words ‘an extraordinary human
disaster’ and so ‘glorious a human achievement’. What did he mean by that?

Ans. 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. The coming into power of non-racial government was a glorious human
achievement.

2. What were the difficulties faced by Nelson Mandela in achieving freedom for his people?

Ans. 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.

3. 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.

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 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.

4. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? Give the birth and
finally the burial of the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Ans. On the day of the inauguration of the Republic, Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a
sense of history. It was quite natural for a man who taught against the hated regime for decades.
After the Boer war, the white groups patched up their differences. They imposed the domination
of the whites over the majority population of South Africa. The birth of the apartheid was the
birth of one of the harshest and inhumane regimes in the world. It was based on racial
discrimination and oppression. Deep oppression and atrocities produced thousands of black
patriots who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of their fellow men. The
determined struggle of these black heroes ended in their victory. A democratically elected
government heade headed by President Nelson Mandela was installed on the 10th of May, 1994.
5. The apartheid regime, the whites created in South Africa, was one of the harshest and
most inhumane societies the world has ever known. Elucidate.

Ans. The apartheid regime symbolised oppression, exploitation and an extraordinary human
disaster. The white regime was based on racial discrimination. The blacks in South Africa were
deprived of their rights, equality and human dignity. After the Boer war, the white groups in
South Africa patched up their differences. They imposed a system of racial discrimination
against the black people of their own land. It was one of the harshest and most inhumane regimes
the world has ever known. The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South
Africa and its people. Thousands of black patriots sacrificed their lives fighting for the rights and
freedom of their people. Thousands of Tambos, Sisulus, Dads, Fishers and Sobukwes suffered
deep oppression and tortures but never gave up their cause. Ultimately, their struggles and
sacrifices led the blacks to victory under Nelson Mandela. Their victory was a common victory
of humanity, for peace, for justice and for human dignity.

6. Which twin obligations does Nelson Mandela mention in the lesson? Why were he and
the rest of blacks not able to fulfill those obligations?

Ans. 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.

7. How was Mandela’s concept of freedom was different in boyhood and youth than what it
was in his mature age? How were ‘transitory freedoms’ changed into his hunger for the
freedom of his people?

Ans. Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. In his boyhood, he felt free until he
obeyed his father and tribe. The concept of freedom was limited only to run in fields, swim in the
local stream and ride on the slow-moving bulls. When he was a youth, he realised that his
boyhood freedom was an illusion. His freedom had already taken away from him. He yearned to
enjoy ‘transitory freedoms’ like staying out at night, reading and going anywhere as he pleased.
When he joined the African National Congress, only then his own freedom became the greater
hunger for his people. He desired that his people should live their lives with dignity and self-
respect. This hunger for freedom forced him to be a rebel and live in secrecy away from his
family.

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

9. Draw a character-sketch of Nelson Mandela highlighting his struggle against the

apartheid regime for the human rights of his people.

Ans. 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.