Question 1:

Who was Zenani?

Answer:
Zenani was the daughter of Nelson Mandela.
Question 2:
What do you understand by Apartheid’?
Answer:
‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this
system, black-colored people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their
personal and social obligations of being parents, sons, and husbands, etc.
Question 3:
What did Mandela think for the oppressor and oppressed?
Answer:
Mandela always thought that both oppressor and oppressed are deprived of their
humanity. The oppressor is a prisoner of hatred while the oppressed has no
confidence in humanity so both of them need to be liberated.
Question 4:
What are the ideals which Mandela set for the future of South Africa in his swearing-in
ceremony?
Answer:
Mandela emphasized liberating all the people from poverty, deprivation, suffering,
gender, and other discriminations in his swearing-in ceremony.
Question 5:
Why did the inauguration ceremony take place in the amphitheater formed by the
Union Building in Pretoria?
Answer:
It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa. The
ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world
and thousands of the people of South Africa of all races to make the day memorable.
So, it took place in, the amphitheater formed by the Union Building in Pretoria.
Question 6:
Could everyone fulfill the obligations personal or social in South Africa?
Answer:
No, everyone was not free to fulfill their obligations because of the color of the skin. If
a person tried to fulfill their obligations, they were punished and isolated for being a
rebellion.
Question 7:
Why was Nelson Mandela changed into a bold man?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela was changed into a bold man due to his desire of the freedom for his
country and his countrymen. He wanted to live a life with dignity as he could not enjoy
the limited freedom.
Question 8:
What are the ‘twin obligations’ referred to by Nelson Mandela?
Answer:
According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations in life. The first
obligation is to his family, to his parents, wife and children. Secondly, he has an
obligation to his country, people, and community.
Question 9:
What is the meaning of courage to Mandela?
Answer:
According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. The
brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Mandela
learned the true meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle.
Question 10:
Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought and sacrificed their
likes for the country’s political independence?
Answer:
Mandela always said that political freedom was the result of the sacrifices of
thousands of black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid. He
thought of himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he
could not thank them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that wounded the people of
his country, which would take centuries to heal.
He also said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great
freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe,
and many more. They were the men of courage, wisdom, and large-heartedness. They
really suffered a lot for the political freedom of the country.
Question 11:
Describe the obligations which the author is talking about and also describe his
feelings for them?
Answer:
In the chapter, the author has talked about two obligations for every man. The first
obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife, and children. The second is towards
his community and his country. Being a social person one has to fulfill these
obligations.
But being a black-colored person in South Africa, a man was not free to perform his
obligations and got punished if he tried to do that.
Being a child the author never thought of such obligations but after he did so, he
fought for the people and the country to be free and enjoy their freedom of
performing their duties personal and social.
Question 12:
What were the two anthems sung on the day of the oath-taking ceremony?
Answer:
On the day of the oath-taking ceremony, the two anthems were sung. ‘Nkosi Sikelel-i-
Afrika’ was for the whites and ‘Die stem’ was for the blacks. ‘Die stem’ was the old
anthem of the country.
Question 13:
Describe Mandela’s life journey from a prisoner to the first black President of South
Africa.
Answer:
Nelson Mandela did a life-long struggle against racial discrimination in South Africa.
He had to pass many years of his life as a prisoner in jail. At last, the first democratic
elections were held in South Africa. His party won 252 seats out of 400 and he
became the first black President of South Africa.
Question 14:
Describe the value of freedom for human beings and how it is important for the
growth of civilization and humanism as described in the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela: Long
Walk to Freedom’.
Answer:
Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to live free as freedom is natural
to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human being who
has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the limits and not allowed
to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else. For instance, the
value of freedom is known better to Mandela who remained behind the bars most of
his life. Think about a bird or animal which is caged as they have the habit of living
with full freedom but in the cage, they are not free and their conditions are very
pitiable. Similarly, life becomes hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth
of civilization as it grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism grows in
the atmosphere of freedom.
Question 15:
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:
In the first decade of the 20th century, the whites erected a system of racial
discrimination against the blacks. They set up the most inhumane system of apartheid
where the blacks were denied the fundamental right of freedom. In the last decade of
the twentieth century, the system was overturned. The policy of apartheid was
uprooted from the land and a new non-racial democratic government was installed to
ensure equal rights and freedom to all the people of South Africa.
Question 16:
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:
Freedom had different meanings for Mandela at different stages. As a boy, freedom
for him meant to run freely in the fields and to swim in the stream. As a student he
wanted freedom to stay out at nights, to read what he liked, later he realised that this
freedom was an illusion. He found that all the black brothers and sisters were in
chains. There was no freedom for a respectful life. Their freedom was curtailed at
every stage. He wanted the basic and honourable freedom of achieving his potential
of earning his keep, of marrying and having a family. He believed that freedom is
indivisible. Everyone has to be free.
Question 17:
What were Mandela’s opinions about the first and last decades of the twentieth
century? Why does he say on the day of the inauguration that he was overwhelmed
with a sense of history?
Answer:
On the day of the inauguration, the speaker’s mind went back to history. He
remembered the first decade when the whites ruled over South Africa and they made
discriminated against the blacks. They built a system of racial discrimination against
the blacks. Their behavior was full of cruelty. They meted out inhuman treatment to
the blacks. But now in the last decade of this century, this cruel system was
overturned. Now a new system replaced it. It was the first democratic government of
South Africa. Now there will be no discrimination on the basis of color.
That is why, on the day of the inauguration, he was overwhelmed with a sense of
history.
Question 1. Where did the oath-taking ceremony take place?
Answer: The oath-taking ceremony took place in Union Buildings of Pretoria.
Question 2. What promise does Mandela make in the beginning of opening of his
oath-taking speech?
Answer: Mandela thanks all the international leaders and guests as he calls it an
occasion of joy and victory for Justice. He promises that the country shall not again
experience the oppression of one by another.
Question 3. What ideals did Mandela set out for the future of South Africa in his
speech?
Answer: Mandela set out ideals for the future of South Africa because he had deep
feelings for his country and countrymen. He pledged to liberate all the people from
poverty, deprivation and discrimination.
Question 4. What freedom meant to Mandela in childhood? [CBSE 2015]
Answer: During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela was quite limited he
considered it to be free to run in the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to roast
mealies and ride the board backs of slow moving bulls.
Question 5. Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphitheatre formed
by the Union Building in Pretoria?
Answer: It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South
Africa. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries
around the world and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make
the day memorable. So, it took place in, the amphiteatre formed by the Union Building
in Pretoria.
Question 6. What are the ideals which Mandela set for the future of South Africa in
his swearing- in ceremony?
Answer: Mandela emphasised to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation,
suffering, gender and other discriminations in his swearing-in ceremony.
Question 7. What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed? [CBSE 2011]
Answer: Mandela always thought that both oppressor and oppressed are deprived of
their humanity. Oppressor is a prisoner of hatred while oppressed has no confidence
in humanity so both of them need to be liberated.
Question 8. What do you understand by Apartheid’?
Answer: ‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race.
In this system black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge
their personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc.
Question 9. Describe the effect of the policy of apartheid on the people of South
Africa.
Answer: The policy of apartheid could not be considered fortunate for the people of
South Africa. It created distance and a deep wound in the country and the people.
Many great men like Oliver Tambo, Walttr Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, etc were
produced due to the brutality and oppression. They were men of great character
Question 10. How is courage related to the brave man according to the author of the
lesson?
Answer: The author believes that courage is not the absence of fear, but it is the
triumph over it. The brave man is not the one who does not feel fear of any kind but
he is the one who has the courage to conquer it.
Question 11. Could everyone fulfil the obligations personal or social in South Africa?
Answer: No, everyone was not free to fulfil their obligations because of colour of the
skin. If a person tried to fulfil their obligations, they were punished and isolated for
being a rebellion.
Question 12. What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters? [CBSE 2012]
Answer: Mandela realised that his brothers and sisters were not free in their own
country due to their colour. The freedom of everyone in his society was curtailed. He
joined the African National Congress and fought for the freedom.
Question 13. Why was Nelson Mandela changed into a bold man?
Answer: Nelson Mandela was changed into a bold man due to his . desire of the
freedom for his country and his countrymen. He wanted to live a life with dignity as he
could not enjoy the limited freedom.
Question 14. What did Mandela think about the oppressor and the oppressed?
Answer: Mandela thought about the oppressor and the oppressed that both are
robbed equally. A mail who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred.
In the same way, if his freedom is taken away, they both are without freedom. So both
of them must be liberated.
Question 15. How did ‘hunger for freedom’ change Mandela’s life?
Answer: In the beginning of his life, Mandela was not aware about freedom. Later,
Mandela found that his freedom had been taken away from him. As a student, he
wanted freedom only for himself but slowly his own freedom became the greater
hunger for the freedom of his people. This changed him completely.
Question 16. What are the ‘twin obligations’ referred to by Nelson Mandela?
Answer: According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations in life. The first
obligation is to his family, to his parents, wife and children. Secondly, he has an
obligation to his country, people, and community.
Question 17. Could a man. according to Mandela, fulfil these twin obligations in a
country like South Africa?
Answer: No, these twin obligations could not be fulfilled by a man, in a country like
South Africa, according to Mandela. It was because a man of dark colour who
attempted just to live as a human being was punished and isolated in the country.
Question 18. What is the meaning of courage to Mandela?
Answer: According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph
over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that
fear. Mandela learned the true meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle.
Question 19. What was unique in the inauguration ceremony?
Answer: The inauguration ceremony took place in the amphitheatre formed by the
Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades, this had been the seat of white supremacy.
Now it was the oath taking ceremony day for South Africa’s first democratic, non-
racial government. It was really a unique occasion.
Question 20. Describe the inauguration ceremony in simple words?
Answer: It was the day of 10th May, 1994. The first democratic, non- racial
government was to be installed. Dignitaries from different countries participated in
the ceremony. South African men, women and children of all races were present
there.
Question 21. Describe Mandela’s life journey from a prisoner to the first black
President of south Africa.
Answer: Nelson Mandela did a life-long struggle against the racial discrimination in
South Africa. He had to pass many years of his life as a prisoner in the jail. At last the
first democratic elections were held in South Africa. His party won 252 seats out of400
and he became the first black President of South Africa.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human
disaster”?
Answer: Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the
black people as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom
from the coloured people of South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black
people were subjected to oppression for long. They were not even allowed to
discharge their obligations to their own families, community and their country. White
people had no compassion for them and oppressed their own people and put them in
prison. If they had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a
slave.
Question 2. Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought and
sacrificed their likes for the country’s political independence?
Answer: Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of
thousands of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid.
He thought himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he
could not thank them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that wounded the people of
his country, which would take centuries to heal.
He also said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great
freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe
and many more. They were the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They
really suffered a lot for the political freedom of the country.
Question 3. What does Mandela mean to say that the oppressor and the oppressed
alike are robbed of their humanity?
Answer: Mandela is right in saying that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are
robbed of their humanity. Both of them are actually the victim of hatred. Everyone is
obliged to discharge their duties whether personal or social but without freedom a
man cannot do so. The person who snatches this freedom of a man is really an
oppressor and a prisoner of hatred. He has lack of humanity. But this is the same with
a person who is oppressed by other.
Question 4. Describe the obligations which the author is talking about and also
describe his feelings for them?
Answer: In the chapter the author has talked about two obligation for every man. The
first obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife and children. The second is
towards his community and his country. Being a social person one has to fulfil these
obligations.
But being a black coloured person in South Africa, a man was not free to perform his
obligations and got punished if he tried to do that.
Being a child the author never thought of such obligations but after he did so, he
fought for the people and the country to be free and enjoy their freedom of
performing their duties personal and social.
Question 5. Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it is
important for the growth of civilisation and humanism as described in the lesson
‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’. [CBSE2014]
Answer: Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to live free as freedom
is natural to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human
being who has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the limits and
not allowed to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else. For
instance the value of freedom is known better to Mandela who remained behind the
bars most of his life. Think about a bird or animal which is caged as they have the
habit of living with full freedom but in the cage they are not free and their conditions
are very pitiable. Similarly, life becomes a hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is
no growth of civilisation as it grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism
grows in the atmosphere of freedom.

Question 1. What was the national anthem for the blacks?

The National anthem for the blacks were ‘Die stem’.

Question 2. Who was sworn in as second deputy President?

Mr. de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy President in South Africa.

Question 3. What is the full name of Mr. Mandela?

The full name of Mr. Mandela is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Question 4. What could the highest generals have done to the author
earlier?

The highest generals could have arrested the author earlier.

Question 5. How old was the author at the time of the ‘Inauguration’?
The author was in his eighties at the time of the inauguration.

Question 6. Why did he join African National Congress?

He joined African National Congress to achieve freedom for all his people.

Question 7. What was Mandela not unmindful of?

Mandela was not unmindful of ‘Apartheid’.

Question 8. How was the new system different?

The new system was different because that system recognised the rights and freedom
of all people.

Question 9. Who was sworn in as the first Deputy President of South Africa?

Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as the first Deputy President of South Africa.

Question 10. Where did the ceremony take place?

The ceremony took place in the Union Buildings of Pretoria.

Question 11. What was the occasion?

It was the occasion of installation of South Africa’s first democratic government.

Question 12. Who was Zenani?

Zenani was the daughter of Nelson Mandela.

Question 13. When was that system eradicated?

The system was overturned in the last decade of the twentieth century.

Question 14. What did Mandela realise?

Mandela realised that there was no freedom in South Africa for anyone who looked
like him.

Question 15. What did he think about freedom?

He thought that freedom is indivisible.

Question 16. What does courage mean to Mandela?

Courage means to Mandela the triumph over fear.

Question 16. What must the people learn

The people must learn to hate. If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.

Question 17. What promises did Mandela make to his people in the oath-
taking speech?

In the oath-taking speech, Mandela promised that the country shall not again
experience the oppression of one by another.

Question 18. Who took oath first in the ceremony?

In the ceremony, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second Deputy President.

Question 19. Who wrote the autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom”.

Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom”.

Question 20. What roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings?

South African jets, helicopters, and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over
Union Buildings.

Question 21. What did the smoke trail of Impala jets symbolise?

The smoke trail of Impala jets symbolised South African flag.

Question 22. Why had world leaders come there?

The world leader had come there to pay their respect to the newly formed
Government.

Question 23. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Mandela thanks the international leaders for their support for the people of South
Africa.

Question 24. What was specific about that system?

The system was formed on the basis of one of the harshest,’ most inhumane societies
the world has ever known.

Question 25. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Nelson Mandela thinks that to love is natural, because it comes naturally in our
hearts.

Question 26. Where did the oath-taking ceremony take place?

The oath-taking ceremony took place in Union Buildings of Pretoria.

Question 27. What did Mandela want as a student?

Mandela wanted freedom for himself as a student.

Question 28. What according to Mandela, is ‘true-freedom’?

According to Mandela, true freedom means freedom not to be obstructed in leading a

lawful life.

Question 29. Why was the Mandela pained?

Mandela was pained as the people who laid their lives for this day could not be
present to see.

Question 30. What are two enemies of a person?

Prejudice and narrow-mindedness are the two enemies of a person.

Question 31. Who accompanied Mandela?

Mandela’s daughter Zenani accompanied him.

Question 32. What were the colours emitted by a chevron of Impala jets?

The colours emitted by a chevron of Impala jets were black, red, green, blue and gold.

Question 33. How many years did Nelson Mandela spend in prison.

Nelson Mandela Spent twenty seven years in prison.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphitheatre
formed by the Union Building in Pretoria?

It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa. The
ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world
and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make the day
memorable. So, it took place in, the amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in
Pretoria.

Question 2. What do you understand by Apartheid’?

Answer

‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this
system black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their
personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc.

Question 3. Why could men not fulfil their twin obligations?

In South Africa, if a coloured person tried to fulfil his obligations to his people, he is
isolated and prevented from fulfilling his obligation to his family. So, men could not
fulfil their twin obligations.

Question 4. Where did the ‘ceremonies’ take place? Why were the
ceremonies so important?

The ‘ceremonies’ took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in Pretoria in south
Africa. The ceremonies were so important because these were meant for the
celebration of victory of the south African natives over the ruling whites and for the
installation of south Africa’s first ever democracy.

Question 5. How had the military general’s attitude changed, and why?

he military generals had witnessed the extraordinary courage and wisdom shown by
Nelson Mandela in freeing South Africa from the bondage of the whites. The military
generals, who would have arrested Mandela earlier, have now pledge their loyalty to
him. This shows their change in attitude.

Question 6. How was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history?

In the first decade of the twentieth century and before Mandela’s birth, the whites in
South Africa had erected a system of racial domination known as ‘apartheid’. In the
last decade of the twentieth century, when Mandela was in his eighties, he saw that
system crumbling. So, he was overwhelmed with a sense of history.

Question 7. What problems hinder each man to fulfil these obligations in

South Africa?

Whenever a native South African tries to fulfil his duty to his people, he is ripped from
his family and forced to live an isolated life. He is isolated even if he tries to live as a
human being. So, it is very difficult in South Africa to fulfil these obligations.

Question 8. How did the policy of apartheid create a deep and lasting wound
in South African blacks?

No doubt, the policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South Africa
and the blacks. It would take many years to recover from that profound hurt. The
racial discrimination unleashed a reign of terror, oppression and brutality on the
blacks of South Africa.

Question 9. Why was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history and

what bad thing happened in the first decade of the 10th century?

Mandela is overwhelmed with a sense of history and remembers when the hated
apartheid policy was introduced in South Africa. After the Boer war, the white people
of South Africa patched up their differences. They set up a system of racial
domination against the black people of their own race.

Question 10. What did the display of jets and military salute symbolise?

There was a spectacular show of South African jets and troop carriers over the Union
Buildings. The highest generals of the military and police saluted President Mandela. It
was a clear demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a free and fairly
elected government.

Question 11. What ideals did Mandela set out for the future of South Africa
in his speech?

Mandela set out ideals for the future of South Africa because he had deep feelings for
his country and countrymen. He pledged to liberate all the people from poverty,
deprivation and discrimination.
Question 12. What was born out of the experience of an extraordinary
human disaster? Why should humanity be proud of it?

The apartheid regime was an extraordinary human disaster for the blacks of South
Africa. The end of the apartheid laid down the foundation of a non-racial democratic
regime in South Africa. This government based on human equality and dignity would
be an ideal one of which all humanity will be proud.

Question 13. Where did the ceremonies take place? What had it been for
decades?

The ceremonies of the inauguration of the new government took place at the lovely
sandstone amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The same place had
remained the seat of white supremacy for decades.

Question 14. What did Nelson Mandela pledge when he was sworn in as
President?

Nelson Mandela pledged to uphold the Constitution of his country and devote him to
liberate his people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and
other discriminations. There would be freedom and justice for all.

Question 15. When did Mandela’s hunger for self-turn into a hunger for
freedom for all his people?

Mandela gradually realized that freedom was curtailed for those people who looked
like he did, but not for the whites. Consequently, he joined the African National
Congress, and that was when his “hunger for freedom” became a “greater hunger.”

Question 16. How does Mandela define courage and from where did he learn
the meaning of courage?

Nelson Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from great patriots and comrades in
the struggle. They risked their lives and stood up to attacks and tortures of the
apartheid regime. He learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the
triumph over it. The brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid, but he who conquers
that fear.

Question 17. Why was it impossible for a man of Mandela’s birth and colour
to fulfil the twin obligations?
In South Africa, no black could fulfil the twin obligations. If a black who tried to live as
a human being was punished and isolated. A person who tried to fulfil his duty to his
people was separated from his family and was forced to live in secrecy and rebellion.

Question 18. 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?

In the first decade of the 20th century, the whites erected a system of racial
discrimination against the blacks. They set up the most inhumane system of apartheid
where the blacks were denied the fundamental right of freedom. In the last decade of
the twentieth century, the system was overturned. The policy of apartheid was
uprooted from the land and a new non-racial democratic government was installed to
ensure equal rights and freedom to all the people of South Africa.

Question 19. When and how did Mandela’s hunger for his own freedom
becomes the greater hunger for the freedom of his people?

Mandela realised that not only was he not free, but his people were not free. When he
joined the African National Congress, then his hunger for his own freedom became the
greater hunger for the freedom of his people.

Question 20. Freedom is “indivisible”, said Mandela. How were the chains
on anyone were the chains on all of his people?

Mandela thought that he is not more virtuous than the others. He thought that
“freedom is indivisible”. The chains on any one of his people were chains on all of
them. The chains on all of his people were the chains on him.

Question 21. What unintended effect was produced by decades of

oppression?

The decades of oppression made him a strong person. He set out the goal to liberate
the people of South Africa from continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering
and other discrimination. He decided to have freedom and justice for all.

Question 22. Why is 10th May 1994 important for South Africa?

10th May 1994 is important for South Africa because first democratic non-racial
government elections were held on this day in the country. Nelson Mandela became
the first black president of the country.
Question 23. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the
Inaugural Ceremony?

He remembered the history — the birth Apartheid, its effect on his people and long
fight for freedom. He remembered the freedom fighters that suffered and sacrificed
for freedom. He also remembered what freedom meant to him at different stages of
life and his hunger for freedom.

Question 24. How was that site a rainbow gathering of different colours and
nations?

The end of the apartheid regime was a common victory for peace, justice and human
dignity. Leaders and dignitaries of all nations irrespective of their colour, race and
religion had gathered there to celebrate that victory. So, the site presented a rainbow
gathering of different colours and nations.

Question 25. Who was given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of
the world on their own soil?

Answer: Those who were outlaws not so long ago were given the rare privilege. They
had the privilege of hosting and welcoming nations of the world on their soul. The
blacks were no more outlaws now but enjoyed equality and human dignity.

Question 26. Why did the same generals salute Mandela who would have
arrested him not so many years ago?

In the apartheid regime, Nelson Mandela was a rebel and was in prison for many
years. After the end of the apartheid, he was the head of the non-racial democratically
elected government of South Africa. The same generals who would have put him in
prison not so long ago were obliged to salute the president of the new Republic of
South Africa.

Question 27. Why was the apartheid regime in South Africa was one of the
harshest and most inhuman systems in the world?

The apartheid regime was based on the racial discrimination and exploitation of
blacks in South Africa. The basic or fundamental rights were only for the whites and
the blacks were deprived of these freedoms. Oppression, torture and exploitation of
the blacks were common features of the apartheid regime.
Question 28. How did the policy of apartheid and deep oppression produce
patriots of extraordinary, courage, wisdom and generosity?

The policy of apartheid unleashed a reign of terror and oppression on the black people
but they could not break their resolution and determination. The deep oppression
produced patriot of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity. It produced
thousands of Tambos, Sisulus, Sadoos, Fischer’s and Sobukwes of their time.

Question 29. Whose names were particularly taken by Mandela in the

inauguration ceremony?

In the inauguration ceremony, Mandela announced the names of Oliver Tamboo,

Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fisher and Robert Sobukwes. These
men were of extraordinary courage and wisdom.

Question 30. How can people be taught to love? Which comes naturally to
the human heart — love or hate?

No one is born hating another person because of his colour or race. People are taught
to hate. And if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love. Love comes more
naturally to the human heart than hatred.

Question 31. Was Mandela born with a hunger to be free? What did freedom
mean to him in childhood?

Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. In childhood, freedom has a
very limited concept. He felt that he was free to run in the fields, free to swim in the
stream near his village and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as he
obeyed his father and the customs of his life, he was a free man.

Question 32. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude
changed, and why?

They obey their masters. They acted under the orders of the whites so far. Today they
had shown their loyalty to the democracy. Earlier they arrested Mandela. Today they
showed their loyalty to him by saluting him. There was a change in system. The newly
elected non-racial democratic government had changed their (military generals)
attitude. Now they were not the servants of the whites. They were now in the service
of their own people.

Question 33. What, according to Mandela, is ‘true freedom’?

Answer

When Mandela was a boy, freedom for him meant to run freely in the fields and to
swim in the streams. As a young man, he wanted basic and honourable freedoms, eg.
to earn his living, too many and to have a family. According to Mandela, true freedom
means freedom not to be obstructed in leading a lawful life.

Question 34. What were the two anthems sung on the day of oath-taking
ceremony?

On the day of oath-taking ceremony, the two anthems were sung. ‘Nkosi Sikelel-i-
Afrika’ was for the whites and ‘Die stem’ was for the blacks. ‘Die stem’ was the old
anthem of the country.

Question 35. Why did Nelson Mandela feel that both the oppressor and the
oppressed are robbed of their humanity and hence, both of them must be
liberated?

Nelson Mandela rightly believes that both the oppressor and the oppressed are
robbed of their humanity. A man who takes away another’s freedom is a prisoner of
hatred. He is locked behind the bars of prejudice and hate. A person can never be free
if his freedom is taken away. Hence, the oppressed and the oppressor alike are
robbed of their humanity.

Question 36. What pained Nelson Mandela on becoming the President of

South Africa?

Nelson Mandela was sad for not being able to thank those African patriots who had
fought for independence and sacrificed their lives for it. This pained him that they
were not able to see what their sacrifices had brought.

Question 37. What ideals does Mandela set out for the future of South Africa
in his speech?
The ideal Mandela set out for the future of South Africa in his speech was to liberate
the people of South Africa from continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering,
gender and other discriminations.

Question 38. What did the generals and police officers do on that day?

The generals and police officers were also there. They were in their uniform. They had
ribbons and medals on their chests. They saluted Mandela with great respect.
Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. Although, many years ago, they
might have arrested him.

Question 39. Why was the 10th of May, 1994 a red-letter day in the history
of South Africa

10th of May 1994 was a red-letter day in the history of South Africa. It was the day
when the hated regime of apartheid came to an end. A new democratically elected
non-racial government under Nelson Mandela was to be sworn in. Many international
leaders and dignitaries came to pay their respect to the new government.

Question 40. Who were the persons sworn in on the 10th of May? What did
Mandela pledge to obey?

Mr. de Klerk was first sworn in as second Deputy President. Then Thabo Mbeki was
sworn in as first Deputy President. Then, in the end, Mr. Nelson Mandela was sworn in
as the President of the Republic of South Africa. He pledged to obey and uphold the
constitution and devote himself to the well being of the Republic and its people.

Question 41. After achieving political emancipation what does Mandela want
to do in South Africa?

South Africa and the blacks have achieved their political emancipation. Mandela
pledges to liberate his people from the bondage of poverty, want, suffering, gender
and other discriminations. South Africa will never ever experience the oppression of
one by another. He wishes the reign of freedom will never die in South Africa.

Question 42. What is the meaning of courage to Mandela?

According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. The
brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Mandela
learned the true meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle.

Question 43. What did the playing of two national anthems symbolise?
On the historic day of the inauguration ceremony of the Republic of South Africa, two
national anthems were played. The whites song `Nkosi Sikelel-i-Africa’ and the black
sang ‘Die Stem’. Neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised.
They would soon know the words by heart.

Question 44. Why does Nelson Mandela call himself simply the sum of those
African patriots who had gone before him?

Nelson Mandela gratefully acknowledges the sacrifices of thousands of his people who
fought against the apartheid regime. Their suffering and courage can never be
cemented or repaid. Mandela humbly believes that he was simply the sum of all those
African patriots who had gone before him.

Question 45. How did South African jets, helicopters and troops
demonstrate?

It was a very special day for all. South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers
roared in perfect formation. They flew over the Union Buildings. It was a show of
military’s loyalty to the country and its democracy.

Question 46. What is the greatest wealth of a country according to Nelson

Mandela?

South Africa is rich in minerals and gems. But minerals and gems are not the greatest
wealth of a nation. Mandela thinks that the greatest and real wealth of a nation is its
people. They are finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

Question 47. What did Mandela think about the oppressor and the
oppressed?

mail who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred. In the same way,
if his freedom is taken away, they both are without freedom. So both of them must be
liberated.

Question 48. What are the twin obligations every man has in life?

Mandela thinks that every man has twin obligations in life. The first is his obligation to
his family, to his parents, to his wife and children. The second duty is his duty to his
people, his community and his country. Each man has to fulfil these two obligations
according to his position and abilities.
Question 49. What were the transitory freedoms that Nelson Mandela
yearned for as a young man? Why did he feel that his boyhood freedom was
an illusion?

Nelson Mandela felt that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. His freedom had
already been taken from him. Then he began to hunger for it. At first, he wished the
transitory freedoms of staying out. Later on, he yearned for basic needs of earning,
marrying and having a family.

Question 50. What did Mandela say about the future of the country in his
speech?

In his speech, Nelson Mandela said, “I see a bright future of the country. Now no one
will experience the oppression by another. It will make much progress. All people shall
be free to do what they like.”

Question 51. What animated Mandela’s life and transformed a frightened

young lawyer into a bold criminal?

It was the desire for the freedom of his people to live their lives with dignity and self-
respect that animated his life. It transformed a frightened young man into a bold one.
It drove a law-abiding attorney to be a criminal. It turned a family loving husband to
live like a monk.

Question 52. How did ‘hunger for freedom’ change Mandela’s life?

In the beginning of his life, Mandela was not aware about freedom. Later, Mandela
found that his freedom had been taken away from him. As a student, he wanted
freedom only for himself but slowly his own freedom became the greater hunger for
the freedom of his people. This changed him completely.

Question 53. What are the ‘twin obligations’ referred to by Nelson Mandela?

According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations in life. The first
obligation is to his family, to his parents, wife and children. Secondly, he has an
obligation to his country, people, and community.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Summarise the chapter ‘Nelson Mandela -Long walk to Freedom.

The chapter was taken from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom.
Nelson Mandela spoke about a historic occasion, ‘the inauguration’ after becoming the
first Black President of South Africa. The inauguration ceremony took place in the
Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria today. It was attended by politician and
dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world. After a long period of
White domination, South Africa had become a democratic republic. Mandela called it a
common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. He also called it a glorious
human achievement. He pledged to liberate all his people from the continuing
bondage of poverty, derivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He fought
for the freedom of his people. The British rulers of South Africa followed the policy of
apartheid, which discriminated the Black from the White people. Mandela called it an
extra ordinary human disaster. He believed, the deeper the oppression, the higher the
character. From his comrades he learned that courage meant not the absence of fear
but the triumph over it. According to him every man had twin obligations- obligations
to his family and obligation to his people, his country. He found no difference between
the oppressor and the oppressed. He called both of them prisoners. One was
imprisoned behind the bars; the other was imprisoned behind bars of hatred. He was
an enthusiastic young boy who wanted to enjoy freedom. He wished the sun of
freedom to shine on his country and countrymen forever.

Question 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”?

Freedom had different meanings for Mandela at different stages. As a boy, freedom
for him meant to run freely in the fields and to swim in the stream. As a student he
wanted freedom to stay out at nights, to read what he liked, later he realised that this
freedom was an illusion. He found that all the black brothers and sisters were in
chains. There was no freedom for a respectful life. Their freedom was curtailed at
every stage. He wanted the basic and honourable freedom of achieving his potential
of earning his keep, of marrying and having a family. He believed that freedom is
indivisible. Everyone has to be free.

Question 3. What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human

disaster”?

Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black
people as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom from
the coloured people of South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black people
were subjected to oppression for long. They were not even allowed to discharge their
obligations to their own families, community and their country. White people had no
compassion for them and oppressed their own people and put them in prison. If they
had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a slave.

Question 4. Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought
and sacrificed their likes for the country’s political independence?

Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of
thousands of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid.
He thought himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he
could not thank them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that wounded the people of
his country, which would take centuries to heal. He also said that the oppression and
brutality of the white people produced great freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo,
Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe and many more. They were the men
of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They really suffered a lot for the political
freedom of the country.

Question 5. Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it
is important for the growth of civilisation and humanism as described in the
lesson ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’.

Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to live free as freedom is natural
to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human being who
has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the limits and not allowed
to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else. For instance the
value of freedom is known better to Mandela who remained behind the bars most of
his life. Think about a bird or animal which is caged as they have the habit of living
with full freedom but in the cage they are not free and their conditions are very
pitiable. Similarly, life becomes a hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no
growth of civilisation as it grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism
grows in the atmosphere of freedom.

Question 6. What differences came in Mandela’s opinion about the meaning

of freedom, when he was a little boy and w hen he became young?

There were many differences in Mandela’s opinion about the meaning of freedom,
when he was a little boy and when he became young. While he was a little boy, the
meaning of freedom was to run in the fields and to swim in the streams.When he
became young, he realised that his freedom was an illusion. Now he had realised that
not only his freedom, but also others freedom had been seized. So he felt a hunger for
freedom now. He wanted that all the people of his country should live with self-
respect. They must do what they liked.

Question 7. “I was not born with a hunger to be free.” What was the result
of his hunger for freedom?

When Nelson Mandela was a young boy, he didn’t know anything about freedom. His
hunger for freedom began when he saw his people being punished under the policy of
apartheid. It was clear to him that his boyhood freedom was just an illusion. Then he
had come to know that he and his countrymen had no freedom.
They could not say anything freely. Now Mandela’s hunger for freedom had increased.
Although, as a student, he wanted freedom only for himself but after growing up, he
started to think maturely about the freedom. He saw that in South Africa everybody’s
freedom was curtailed. Thus the result of his hunger for freedom was the freedom of
the country.

Question 8. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of
all those African patriots” who had gone before him?

Mandela’s hunger for freedom forced him to join African National Congress to
eradicate the system of apartheid. Before him thousands of the patriots had sacrificed
their lives.
Mandela does not take the entire credit. He calls himself simply the sum of all those
African patriots who had laid the path towards the achievement of success. He
continued the movement started by them. He was only a part of that movement.

Question 9. What Mandela think about the patriots? Can they be repaid?

Nelson Mandela thinks that the freedom and democratic government have all come
only due to the great sacrifices of thousands of patriots. They were those men who did
not care about their lives and died for their people and country. They can’t be repaid.
He thinks himself the sum of all those who had sacrificed their lives. Now he regrets
that he was not able to thank them. According to Mandela, the policy of apartheid
greatly wounded the people. It was hard to recover. It would take much time. These
great patriots were Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe,
etc.

Question 10. Discuss the scene of the inauguration ceremony? Who took
oath in the ceremony? Why is the inauguration called a historic occasion for
South Africa?
It was the bright and clear day of 10th May, 1994. The inauguration ceremony took
place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. The most famous world leaders
and representatives gathered there. The generals and police officers were also there.
They had medals and ribbons on their chests. South African jets, helicopters and troop
carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. First of all Mr. de Klerk,
then Thabo Mbeki and then Nelson Mandela took the oath.

Question 11. Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech used these two words
‘an extraordinary human disaster’ and so ‘glorious human achievement’.
What did he mean by that?

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.

Question 12. What ideas does Mandela have about courage, love and hate?

According to Mandela, he learnt the meaning of courage from his comrades. They
struggled very hard for the freedom of the country. They did not care for their lives.
They sacrificed everything for their people and country. They did not break before the
brutality of the oppressors. They showed their full strength. So Mandela learned
courage from them. To him, courage means not the absence of fear but the victory
over it. The brave man is one who conquers fear. No man is born hating another man
due to colour or religion. Love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
According to Mandela, both the oppressor and the oppressed are the prisoners of
hatred. No one can become happy after taking away other’s freedom.

Question 13. What are two obligations that Mandela described in this
lesson? What was the reason that he was not able to fulfil those obligations?

In the lesson, Mandela described two obligations that everyone had to perform.
One obligation is for the family, children and wife and second obligation is for the
country and community. But due to apartheid policy in South Africa, Mandela was not
able to fulfil his obligation. Although men could fulfil these obligations according to
their capacities and abilities. But in South Africa it was impossible for the blacks.
When Mandela tried to fulfil them for his family, he was cut off from his family. He was
forced to live the life of separation. When he tried to serve his country, he was put
into prison. Thus, Mandela was not able to fulfil his obligations.

Question 14. India is a country of unity in diversity—there are different

languages, traditions, dresses, castes and cultures. Do you find any sort of
discrimination in India?

India is a very big country. It has different languages, traditions, dresses, castes and
cultures. Even then India has unity in diversity. Its Constitution gives equality to every
citizen. There is no place for colour prejudice in it. In India everyone has a right to get
education to appear in competitions and to live at any place. There is no
discrimination among Indians on the basis of caste, creed and colour. Indians can live
in any state and they can marry in any caste. There is no colour discrimination in
India.

Question 15. What were the difficulties faced by Nelson Mandela in

achieving freedom for his people?

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.

Question 16. What does courage mean to Mandela? How did he learn the
meaning of courage? What do you get about courage, love and hate from
this chapter?

In this chapter, Nelson Mandela says that he learnt the meaning of courage from the
comrades. They were freedom fighters. They did not care about their lives. He had
seen those people who had sacrificed their life for the country.
He learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. In other
words, the brave man is one who conquers fear. In Mandela’s opinion, no man is born
to hate another man on the basis of skin, colour or religion. Love comes more
naturally to the human heart than from its opposite. Both the oppressor and the
oppressed are the prisoners of hatred. They take away each other’s freedom.
Question 17. 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, it is true that the depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson
Mandela illustrated this argument by giving examples of some people of extraordinary
courage and wisdom. This period of struggle to end apartheid produced people like
Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, Bram Fischers and so on in the soil, of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela himself was a product of the same conditions. The hunger for
freedom changed his life. The history of India is full of such characters. Mangal
Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai and
so on were the people of extraordinary courage produced by the depth of oppression
in India.

Question 18. 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.

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.

Question 19. What were Mandela’s opinions about the first and last decades
of the twentieth century?
Why does he say on the day of the inauguration that he was overwhelmed
with a sense of history? .

On the day of the inauguration, the speaker’s mind went back to history. He
remembered the first decade, when the whites ruled over South Africa and they made
a discrimination against the blacks. They built a system of racial discrimination
against the blacks. Their behaviour was full of cruelty. They meted out inhuman
treatment to the blacks. But now in the last decade of this century, this cruel system
was overturned. Now a new system replaced it. It was the first democratic
government of South Africa. Now there will be no discrimination on the basis of colour.
That is why, on the day of the inauguration, he was overwhelmed with a sense of
history.

Question 20. What ideas did we get about freedom, the oppressor and the
oppressed from this lesson? How did Nelson Mandela get hunger for
freedom?

According to Mandela, both the oppressor and the oppressed need freedom. Not only
the oppressed is without freedom, but also the oppressor. He is the prisoner of hatred,
only his level of thinking encourages him to snatch others freedom. It is all due to his
narrow mindedness. It is an obvious idea that the oppressed has no freedom. Nelson
Mandela had hunger for freedom, when he knew that his freedom had been snatched.
His idea for freedom was an illusion. He saw that his brothers and sisters were without
freedom. His hunger for freedom encouraged him to join the African National
Congress.

Question 21. Nelson Mandela was the hero of South Africa’s freedom
movement. Comment.

Nelson Mandela was a true hero of South Africa’s freedom movement. His conscience
encouraged him to demand a respectful and unique life for all. His soul cleared him
about the twin obligations for everyone. He was always determined to fulfil them. He
performed his obligations for his family as well as for his community. Although he was
prevented from doing so, yet he did not stop and got discouraged.

Question 22. Why does Mandela say that freedom is indivisible? How are the
oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity?

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.
Question 23. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend
the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?

A large number of international leaders attended the installation ceremony of first

democratic non- racial government in South Africa. It was the end of apartheid in
South Africa. It was a common victory for justice, for peace and for human dignity.
The international community supported the cause of South Africa. It signified the
triumph of humanity against oppression, fear and discrimination. Both the oppressor
and the oppressed were liberated.

Question 24. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?

Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. With time and experience he
discovered that the boyhood freedom was only an illusion. He found that as a young
mem his freedom had already been taken away from him. His people and community
were denied the fundamental right of living a dignified life.
This made him hungry for freedom. Ha joined the African National Congress. This
desire for the freedom transformed him from a frightened young man into bold one, a
law-abiding person to a criminal, a family-loving person to a man without a home. This
desire forced a life-loving man to live the life of a monk.

Question 25. Draw a character-sketch of Nelson Mandela highlighting his

struggle against the apartheid regime for the human rights of his people.

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.

Question 26. Which twin obligations does Nelson Mandela mention in the
lesson? Why were he and the rest of blacks able to fulfil those obligations?

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.