INTRODUCTION- Only for reference

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July, 1918 to 5 December, 2013) was a South African
anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist who served as first black
head of South Africa. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by
fighting racism and fostering racial reconciliation and equality.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public building in India
that is made of sandstone?
The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union
Building in Pretoria. Public buildings made of sandstone in India are Agra Fort and
Humayun’s Tomb.

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

May 10, 1994 was an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa as it marked the end of the earlier
radical regime and the formation of the new democratic government. It was like autumn in
which the old leaves of trees are replaced by the fresh ones.

3. Why were two national anthems sung?

To grant equality to the Whites and the Blacks, two national anthems were sung at the
inauguration ceremony. The Whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel – iAfrika’ and Blacks sang ‘Die
Stem’. The two national anthems, one of the Blacks and other of the Whites were sung;
symbolising equality and respect for the entire community irrespective of their colour. This
was done to end racial prejudice.

4. 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?
South Africa was under the policy of apartheid for decades. People suffered from bondages
of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination, which Mandela in his
speech mentioned as an extraordinary human disaster. May 10 was marked as the day of
the first democratic, non-racial government of South Africa. Finally, the society had
achieved political emancipation and the land would never again experience the oppression
of one another. Thus, Mandela called it a glorious human achievement.

5. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela to express their loyalty towards democracy
and a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Earlier these generals used
to treat Mandela as a criminal and would even arrest him. However, their attitude changed
as Nelson Mandela was elected the President of the country.
6. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Mandela thanked all the distinguished international leaders for their help they provided to
the people of South Africa. These leaders had come to be a witness to the common victory
for justice, for peace, and for human dignity.

7. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Nelson Mandela had set certain ideals for the future of South Africa. According to these
ideals, people would be free from poverty, suffering, and discrimination of all kinds. Others
would never enslave them again and all would enjoy equal rights and privileges.

8. 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 first decade of the twentieth century, white supremacy created a system of racial
domination and made life a living hell for the dark-skinned people. Mandela referred to it as
one of the “harshest, inhumane societies” of the world.
(ii) In the final decade of the twentieth century, the system of apartheid has been changed
into one that recognizes all humans as equal regardless of their colour, race or gender.

9. What does courage mean to Mandela?

Mandela learned the meaning of courage from the comrades who struggled and even gave
up their lives for an idea. For him, courage did not mean the absence of fear but victory
over it. He believed that brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer
their fear.

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

According to Mandela, no one was born hating another person because of the colour of his
skin or his background. He believed that man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but
never extinguished. Thus, if people learned to hate they can be taught to love, for love
came more naturally to the human heart than hatred.

Note: Below given question and answers are only for reference.

11. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Mandela mentioned twin obligations- obligation to one’s family and obligation to one’s
people, community, and country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil
those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. However, in a country like
South Africa where one race oppressed the other these obligations could not be easily
fulfilled.

12. What did ‘being free’ mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he
contrast this “transitory freedom” with “the basic and honourable freedom”?
Mandela, like any other kid understood that freedom was to make merry and enjoy a
blissful
life. As an adult, the antics of childhood looked transitory because most of the childish
activities are wasteful from an adult’s perspective. Mandela contradicted this transitory
freedom with the basic and honourable freedom of an adult who earned livelihood and
brought the bacon home.
13. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/ why not?
Mandela did not think that the oppressor was free. According to him, an oppressor was a
victim of hatred and behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realised that
both the oppressor and the oppressed were robbed of their humanity and peace.
14. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What
did it signify the triumph of?
At the inauguration ceremony, there were a large number of international leaders to
celebrate the end of apartheid system and to display their support for South Africa. It
signified the triumph of justice over prejudice, courage over fear and right over wrong.

15. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African
patriots”, who had gone before him?
By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela wants to pay his
tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that
he is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of the past had
paved the path of cooperation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power
to bring equality for his people with their support.

16. Would you agree that the “depth of oppression” creates “heights of character”? How
does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
Yes, I agree that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”. Mandela illustrated
this idea by the example of all those who had emerged as great freedom fighters after
years of oppression and brutality. Though unintended, the effect of all this was men with
extraordinary courage and strength. One of the greatest examples is our own country,
where our people were exploited under British rule for about 200 years. As a result of the
oppression of such magnitude, India got freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Subash
Chandra Bose, Gandhiji and many more.

17. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
With age and experience, Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As a young
boy, he thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his father and
abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. As he grew older,
freedom to raise a family and freedom to earn livelihood started dominating his thoughts.
Gradually he realised that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it
was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but also the freedom of all blacks. With
experience and maturity, he came to know that freedom allows the development of one’s
potential without discrimination. It is the freedom from all fears and all prejudices.

18. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but
the freedom of all blacks. This changed the fearful man to a fearless rebel. He sacrificed the
comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined the African National
Congress which changed him from a frightened young man into a bold one who fought
against racial prejudice.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF NELSON MANDELA- Only for reference
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and
philanthropist who led the country from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black
president and the first to be elected in a democratic election with full representation.
Nelson Mandela was a great man, famous for his dedication towards his goal. He was a
man of vision and a great freedom fighter. He sacrificed his life for his passion of achieving
freedom
for his country. Power of will, honesty, dignity, and leadership are among Nelson Mandela's
most prominent characteristics. Mandela's indomitable spirit helped him to survive 27 years
in jail. He never compromised his values, demonstrating honesty and a never-say-die
attitude.
Nelson Mandela possessed exceptional leadership abilities. He was a peacemaker. He
demonstrated what forgiveness feels like to the rest of the world. He was a man of
extraordinary bravery, intelligence, and kindness. He valued the sacrifice of tens of
thousands of people who gave their lives for the sake of their country. He believed that it is
not the absence of fear that is essential, but rather the triumph over it. No one is born with
hatred; rather, the human heart is born with love.
Despite his fight with the white colonialist, the oppressors in his country, he never showed
hatred for them. He believed that a man who takes away another man’s freedom is a
prisoner of hatred. His aim was to free all those who were prisoners of hatred. According
to Mandela, the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
Thus, Nelson Mandela is counted among those great leaders who worked for high ideals,
peace and humanity. He is held high in esteem not only in South Africa but also in all the
countries of the world.