Nelson Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

NELSON MANDELA

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black
domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in
which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It
is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an
ideal for which I am prepared to die. ”
Speech from the Dock quote by Nelson Mandela on 20 April 1964

LONG WALK TO
FREEDOM
Nelson Mandela
• “Long Walk to Freedom” is the
1994 autobiography of Nelson
Mandela, detailing his ascent
from an anti-apartheid activist
and Robben Island-jailed
terrorist, to ANC Leader and a
cultural icon. The only memoir
published during Mandela’s
life, the book is a testament to
the greatness of the first black
president of South Africa.
ABOUT NELSON MANDELA
• Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the
village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918. His
mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi
Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the
Acting King of the Thembu people.
• Hearing the elders’ stories of his ancestors’ valour during the
wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own
contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.
• He completed his BA through the University of South Africa
and went back to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943.
• In 1952 he was chosen as the National Volunteer-in-Chief of
the Defiance Campaign as his deputy. This campaign of civil
disobedience against six unjust laws.
Mandela was arrested in a countrywide police swoop
on 5 December 1956, which led to the 1956 Treason
Trial.
On 11 January 1962, using the adopted name David
Motsamayi, Mandela secretly left South Africa.
He was charged with leaving the country without a
permit and inciting workers to strike.
On 11 June 1964 Mandela was convicted and the next
day was sentenced to life imprisonment.
On 12 August 1988 he was taken to hospital where he
was diagnosed with tuberculosis.
He was released from its gates on Sunday 11 February
1990.
What was Apartheid System?
• Translated from the Afrikans meaning 'apartness', apartheid was
the ideology supported by the National Party government and was
introduced in South Africa in 1948. Apartheid called for the separate
development of the different racial groups in South Africa. On paper
it appeared to call for equal development and freedom of cultural
expression, but the way it was implemented made this impossible.
Apartheid made laws forced the different racial groups to live
separately and develop separately, and grossly unequally too. It tried
to stop all inter-marriage and social integration between racial
groups. During apartheid, to have a friendship with someone of a
different race generally brought suspicion upon you, or worse. More
than this, apartheid was a social system which severely
disadvantaged the majority of the population, simply because they
did not share the skin colour of the rulers. Many were kept just
above destitution because they were 'non-white'.
Some other important laws were the:
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, 1949
Immorality Amendment Act, 1950
Separate Representation of Voters Act, 1951
Resistance to apartheid came from all circles, and not
only, as is often presumed, from those who suffered the
negative effects of discrimination. Criticism also came
from other countries, and some of these gave support to
the South African freedom movements.
Some of the most important organizations involved in the
struggle for liberation were the African National Congress
(ANC), the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), the Inkatha
Freedom Party (IFP), the Black Consciousness Movement
(BCM) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Theme
• The lesson pays tribute to those black
heroes and patriots who waged a
relentless struggle against the apartheid or
the racist regime of South Africa. Here we
find a description of the inauguration
ceremony held in the Union Buildings
attended by politicians and dignitaries
from more than 140 countries. Nelson
Mandela gives a message of peace and
unity of mankind. He foresees a new
regime which will be based on the equality
of men and women. He hopes that in the
new regime there will ne no exploitation of
man by man. There will be no room for
racialism and segregation in the new order.
Justification of the Title
• The title is thoroughly justified as it brings out the long
seemingly endless road in jail that Mandela had had to
travel for the cause so dear to him-justice. He spent most
of his time fighting for an equal society not just for his
black countrymen but because it is the right of every
human being in this world. Falsely accused for 27 years,
Mandela, a politician prisoner tells his saga, of how the
African National Congress struggled and succeeded to
get him out of a prison cell. He had people’s unstinted
support as they backed his ideas and methods. This
popularity led Mandela to become the president of
South Africa after walking for so long.
Main Points
• First Non-Racial Government
• Mandela’s Speech
• Impressive Display of Jets
• Sense of History
• Policy of Apartheid
• Struggle of Comrades
• Twin Responsibilities
• Joining the African National Congress
Message
• The autobiography conveys a strong message of
justice and equality. It also conveys
simultaneously that courage, persistence and
fortitude and an indomitable will to pursue the
truth can never fail. Mandela conveys with
unshakeable conviction that love and not hate
comes naturally to humans and any system that
goes against this natural tendency creates a class
of oppressor and the oppressed and breeds
injustice, cruelty and eventually great sorrow.

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NELSON MANDELA

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