First Non-Racial Government: It was the 10th of May 1994. The day was bright and clear. The inauguration ceremony of the first non-racial government was held at the lovely amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. It was the largest gathering of international leaders on South African soil. Politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries attended the ceremony. First of all Mr. de Klerk was sworn-in as second Deputy President. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn-in as the first Deputy President. Then came Mandela’s turn. He was sworn-in as the first black President of South Africa.
Mandela’s speech: Mandela spoke how for decades South Africa was the seat of white supremacy. Now the presence of all people confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. The blacks who were considered as outlaws not so long ago were hosting the nations of the world on their soil. Their victory over ‘apartheid’ was a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. Political freedom had been won. Now they would work hard to liberate all their people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation and diseases. Never would South Africa again face the oppression of one by another.
Impressive Display of jets: Then there was a spectacular display of jets. South African jets and helicopters roared in perfect formation over them in the sky. It was also a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy and to the new government. Then two national anthems were played.
The sense of History: Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history. A few years after the Anglo-Boer war, apartheid was introduced in South Africa. The society based on racial- discrimination was the harshest and most inhuman society in the world. Now a new system based on the equality of all men regardless of their colour and race has replaced the old and cruel system.
The policy of Apartheid: Apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in the people. The decades of exploitation and oppression of the black produced heroes like Tambo’s, Sislus and others. These black heroes were men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity. The greatest wealth of South Africa was not in its minerals and diamonds but in men of such great character.
The struggle of Comrades: Nelson Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from such brave comrades. Courage is the victory over fear. These comrades were ready to risk and sacrifice their lives for an idea— the idea of freedom and equality. Even in the darkest prisons their hopes and faith were not broken. They never allowed the flame of struggle to be extinguished. Twin Responsibilities: Nelson Mandela thought that every man has twin obligations. He has a duty towards his wife and children and an obligation to his people and country. In South Africa, it was impossible for blacks like him to fulfil both those obligations. If any black tried to live like a free human being, he was punished and isolated. He was forced to live an isolated life — away from his family. He was forced to live a life of rebellion and secrecy.
Joining the African National Congress: Mandela realised that not only was he deprived of freedom, but his brothers and sisters were also deprived of freedom. That was why he joined the African National Congress. It was his desire for the freedom of his people and their self-respect that totally transformed him from a weak young man to a bold one. A law-abiding lawyer was forced to become an outlaw. He realised that freedom is indivisible. He knew the oppressed must be liberated. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity. Both must be liberal.
Points to Remember 1. The inauguration ceremony of the first non-racial government was held in the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
2. Politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries attended the ceremony.
3. Nelson Mandela was then sworn-in as the President of the Republic of South Africa.
4. For decades South Africa had been the seat for white supremacy.
5. The blacks were considered as outlaws.
6. Their victory over ‘apartheid’ was a common victory for justice, peace and freedom. 7. Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history.
8. The society based on racial discrimination was the harshest and most inhuman society in the world.
9. The decades of oppression and exploitation of the blacks produced heroes like Tambos, Sisulus and others in South Africa.
10. Mandela learned the meaning of courage from such brave comrades who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of their people.
11. Every man has twin responsibilities —responsibilities towards his family and for his people and country.
12. If any black tried to live like a free human being, he was punished and isolated from his family and community. 13. Mandela realised that not only he but his brothers and sisters were deprived of freedom.
14. His desire for the freedom and dignity of his people made him a rebel.
15. He realised that freedom is indivisible.
IMPORTANT THEMES:
• 1. Effects of Racial Discrimination.
• 2. Contributions of Mandela. • 3. The poetic justice • 4. The concept of Power – worship. • 5. Mandela’s philosophy & belief in hatred & love. • 6 .Relatability of Mandela’s thoughts & experiences. His understanding of freedom.
I. Read the given extract and answer the following questions:
A. „No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man‟s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
(a) Why is it easy to love?
(b) What was the opinion of Mandela about the man’s goodness? (c) What gave Mandela the reassurance during his low times in prison? (d) What is ‘a flame’ in the passage?
B. “It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first as a student I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms...”
i. The title that best suits this extract is
a) Freedom for everything b) Knowledge about Freedom c) Significance of Freedom d) Realisation of Freedom ii. Why do you think the speaker mentions some freedoms as ‘transitory’? a) The freedoms are momentary and keep changing with time. b) The definition of freedom is constant but perspectives differ. c) Freedom means different things to different people. d) Freedom is not that important after a certain age.
iii. Choose the option that best fits the usage of the word ‘illusion’ as used in the extract. a) He was never able to get past the illusion. b) The illusion I experienced was quite intriguing. c) A large mirror in the room creates an illusion. d) I was living under the illusion that this is possible.
iv. The speaker says, ‘at first as a student I wanted freedom only for myself.’ Why do you think he only thought about himself? a) He didn’t want to think about the freedom denied to others. b) He was being selfish and was only bothered about himself. c) He didn’t think that freedom denied to him was important for others. d) He was too young to realise that freedom was denied to others as well.
v. A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solution to the blanks in the given paraphrase of the extract. The speaker’s belief about freedom, since childhood proved false. It was not until the speaker grew up to be a young man when it (a) ______________ on him that he was (b) ________________ of freedom. Then he began (c)__________it.
Option 1 - a) desired b) dawned c) depriving
Option 2 - a) dawned b) deprived c) desiring Option 3 – a) dawned b) arrived c) desiring Option 4 – a) arrived b) deprived c) dawned
II. Thinking About the Text- Q - 1 to 5
III. Answer the following question in 100 – 120 words:
After having read the lesson on the oppression that communities faced in South Africa, you were deeply hurt. You could also relate to the struggles and hardships of millions of Indians who fought against the oppressive British rule. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings about oppression faced by people in their homeland.
You may begin like this:
22 April 2024 Monday, 9:00 pm
Dear Diary My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed who had to tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors in their own land. ………………………… Portfolio Activity – To be done on an A4 sheet
Nelson Mandela - A life in pictures
Write a short biography about Nelson Mandela. Include pictures and a few of his famous quotes.
