Question 1
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?
Answer:
By ‘an extraordinary human disaster’ Mandela means to state the practice
of apartheid in South Africa. During this there was a racial segregation
based on colour and the blacks suffered a lot. They were not allowed to
demand freedom or any right. Mandela himself did spend many years on
infamous ‘Robben Island’ as a prisoner where he was beaten mercilessly.
He considered it as great glorious human achievement that a black person
became the President of a country where the blacks were not even
considered human beings and were treated badly.
Question 2.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer:
Mandela felt very privileged to welcome the international leaders at the
swearing – in ceremony because not too long ago, the South Africans were
considered outlaws. He thus thanks all of them for having come to witness
the historical ceremony. This was a gesture of international recognition to
a newly born free democratic nation
Question 3.
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from bondage of
poverty, deprivation and suffering. He also set the ideal for a society
where there would be no discrimination based on gender or racial origins.
Question 4.
What did the military generals do? How did their attitude change and
why?
Answer:
The highest military generals of South African defence force saluted
Mandela and pledged their loyalty which was of great significance as
during apartheid era they would have arrested him. The change in their
attitude was because of struggle and sacrifices put in by many heroes of
South Africa. This struggle not only ensured the freedom of a nation
struggling with apartheid, bur brought a change in mindsets of many. He
believed that love can also be taught and human being is naturally
inclined towards love rather than hate.
Question 5.
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?
Answer:
(i) In the first decade of the century, the whites erected a system of racial
domination against the blacks, thus creating the basis of one of the
harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known.
(ii) In the final decade of the 20th century, the . previous system had been
overturned and replaced by one which recognised rights and freedom of
all people regardless of color of their skin.
Question 6.
What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer:
Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his
family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is to his people,
his community and his country.
Question 7.
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”?
Answer:
Like any other kid, for Mandela freedom meant to make merry and enjoy
the blissful life. Once one becomes an adult, antics of childhood looks like
transitory because most of the childish activities are wasteful from an
adult’s perspective. Once you are adult, you have to earn a livelihood to
bring the bacon home. Its only then when you get an honourable
existence in the family and in the society.
Question 8.
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free because according to
him an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice
and narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the
oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace.
Question 9.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the
inauguration ? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture
of solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid.
It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a
tolerant society without any discrimination.
Question 10.
What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those
African patriots”, who had gone before him ?
Answer:
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 past had paved the path of co-
operation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power to
bring equality for his people with their support.
Question 11.
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 ?
Answer:
I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of
character. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great
heroes of South Africa like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others who
were inspired to sacrifice their lives in the long freedom struggle.
India is full of such examples, during our freedom struggle there was a
galaxy of leaders of great characters and the oppression of British rule
created and encouraged people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi,
Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Sardar Bhagat Singh and
many more. If we compare them with the quality of political leaders India
is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right;
Question 12.
How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and
experience?
Answer:
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 the freedom of all blacks. It was the freedom from fear and
prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.
Question 13.
How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
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
fearfulman 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 and this changed him from
a frightened young man into a bold one who fought against racial
prejudice.
