Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | NCERT Book Class 10 English First Flight
Summary – Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
10th of May was, a day of freedom for South Africa and there was huge gathering of international leaders and dignitaries.
Inauguration ceremony or swearing in ceremony was held in Union Building in Pretoria and first non-racial government took the charge.
Nelson Mandela gave speech on the victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
Mandela pledged to liberate his people from poverty, suffering and discrimination.
A colorful show by jets and helicopters to show military’s loyalty took place.
Singing of two national anthems was done-the old ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ by the whites and the new ‘Die stem’ by the blacks.
A new system that recognized the rights and freedoms of all people was formed.
Mandela remembered and thanked the people who sacrificed their lives for the freedom.
Salutation to some great freedom fighters – Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo and others.
Mandela said in speech that a country is rich because of its people not because of the minerals. Courage is not the absence of fear but the victory over it. People should love others and not hate them due to color or religion. Love comes naturally not by force, which is the natural goodness.
He also stated that a man should try to make a balance between his duties – duty to his family and duty to his community and country. A black person was treated badly and not allowed to perform his duties.
According to Mandela, freedom has many aspects like – for a kid it is to run and play, for adult it is to fulfill the need of his own and his family. Real freedom means equal rights for everyone.
Nelson Mandela joined African National Congress (ANC). He desired for people to live with dignity and respect. He wanted the oppressor and the oppressed to be liberated.
Page No: 18 Comprehension Check
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Ans: The ceremonies took place in the amphitheater of the Union Building of Pretoria. The Parliament House, The Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi and Madras High Court in Chennai are some examples of Indian public buildings that are made of sandstone.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Ans: 10 May is known as an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa because on this day, there was the largest gathering of international leaders on South African soil for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
Page No: 19
3. 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?
Ans: By “an extraordinary human disaster” Mandela means the inhuman practice of apartheid i.e. the racial discrimination suffered by the blacks at the hands of whites in South Africa. He considered it as “glorious human achievement” because of the establishment of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government, where the President was a black man.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans: Mandela felt privileged to be the host to the nations of the world because not too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. On that day most of the countries’ dignitaries were present to attend the swearing in ceremony. He, thus thanked all the international leaders for having come to witness his investiture as President, since this event could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans: Mandela sets out the ideals of poverty alleviation, removal of suffering of people. He also dreams of a society where there would be no discrimination based on gender or racial origins.
Page No: 21 Oral Comprehension Check
1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans: The highest military generals of the South African defense force and police saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. Their attitude towards blacks has suddenly changed. Instead of arresting a black, they saluted him. If it was during apartheid era, they would have arrested Mandela. The change in their attitude was because of struggle and sacrifice put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle not only ensured the freedom of South Africa but also brought a change of mindsets for many.
2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans: On the day of the inauguration, two national anthems were sung. The interpretation of national anthem from old republic as well as new republic was sign of the pledge of those who were laying the foundation of a new nation. As it was a pledge to build a society devoid of any type of discrimination , symbolizing the equality of blacks and whites, and to show that it will be a truly multicultural society.
3. 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?
Ans: (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark skinned people of their own land, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known.
(ii) In the last decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been replaced by another more strong pattern, the one that recognized the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of the color of their skin.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans: For Mandela courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear. According to him brave men need not only be fearless but should be able to conquer fear.
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans: For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
Page No: 24 Oral Comprehension Check
1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Ans: Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is towards his family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is his contribution towards fellow people, his community and his country.
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 honorable freedoms”?
Ans: Like any other kid, for Mandela also the freedom meant to make merry and enjoy the blissful life in every possible way. But once an adult, the antics of childhood look like transitory because in an adults perspective ,most of the childhood activities are waste of time. As a grown-up, you have to step out of your comfort zone to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon home. It is only then that you get an honorable existence in the family and in the society.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Ans: Mandela does not feel that the oppressor is free because according to him an oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He feels that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed off their humanity.
Thinking about the Text
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans: The presence of a large number of international leaders was a gesture of solidarity from international community to the idea of the end of apartheid. It signified the triumph of good over evil, the triumph of the idea of a more tolerant society without any discrimination.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Ans: Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He feels that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before him as he only was carrying forward the baton of the freedom struggle, the legacy of leaders of yesteryears who had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he got the support of his people to be able to come to power to bring equality for his own people.
3.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?
Ans: Yes, I agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa who sacrificed 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. Probably the oppression of British rule created so many men of such characters. If we compare this with the quality of political leaders India is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans: With age ,Nelson Mandela realized that he had a lot of responsibilities towards his people, his community and his country. As a boy, Mandela did not have a hunger for freedom because he thought that he was born free. He believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. He had certain needs as a teenager and then certain needs as a young man. He slowly understands that it is not just his freedom that is being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It is after attaining this understanding that he develops a hunger for the freedom of his people. Thus, age and experience made his perspective more wide.
5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans: Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. The hunger for his own freedom gradually turned into hunger for the freedom of his people. This desire of a non-racial society transformed him into a virtuous and self-sacrificing man. Thus, he joined the African National Congress and this changed the fearful man to a fearless rebel. He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause.
| Q.1 When was the inauguration day? A) 10 May B) 10 March C) 20 May D) 20 March |
| Q.2 It was a celebration of South Africa’s first ______ government. A) autocratic, racial B) democratic, non-racial C) democratic, racial D) monarch, non-racial |
| Q.3 How many deputy presidents were elected? A) two B) three C) one D) none |
| Q.4 Why did other countries broke off diplomatic relations with South Africa? A) White rulers B) Other countries are racial C) It is a poor country D) Apartheid policy |
| Q.5 What change brought international leaders to South Africa? A) End of Apartheid B) humanity C) peace D) trade negotiations |
| Q.6 “We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for ____.” A) justice B) peace C) human dignity D) all of the above |
| Q.7 What was it that the nation needed to be liberated from? A) poverty B) gender discrimination C) deprivation D) all of the above |
| Q.8 “We have achieved our political emancipation.” What is the meaning of emancipation? A) freedom from restriction B) enslavement C) slavery D) both 2 and 3 |
| Q.9 The spectacular array of South African jets was a display of – A)military’s precision B) military’s loyalty to democracy D) both 1 and 2 C) none of the above |
| Q.10 What colours does the new South African flag possess? A) black, red, green, blue and gold B) black, red, yellow, blue and gold C) orange, black, yellow, blue and silver D) black, blue, violet, saffron and green |
| Q.11 “The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever known.” What structure is Mandela talking about? A) Racial domination against the black skinned B) Poverty and suffering C) Discrimination against the poor D) oppression of women |
| Q.12 Whom did Mandela wanted to thank but couldn’t? A) his family B) white rulers C) African patriots who no longer existed D) Military |
| Q.13 What unintended effect did the decades of oppression and brutality had? A) created men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity B) Poverty and suffering C) boycot from foreign nations D) both 2 and 3 |
| Q.14 According to Mandela, what is the greatest wealth of a nation? A) minerals B) gems C) diamonds D) people |
| Q.15 What did Mandela learn about courage? A) it is absence of fear B) it is the triumph over fear C) both 1 and 2 D) none of the above |
| Q.16 What are a man’s obligations in life? A) Obligation to people B) Obligation to family C) Obligation to God D) Both 1 and 2 |
| Q.17 Why were two National Anthems sung? A) to imply unity B) to mark the end of racial discrimination C) to mark the end of gender discrimination D) Both 1 and 2 |
| Q.18 What comes more naturally to heart according to Mandela? A) hatred B) unity C) love D) racial discrimination |
| Q.19 What realisations did Mandela have of his boyhood freedom? A) it is just an illusion B) he was born free C) freedom was meant for kids D) he had no realisations |
| Q.20 What began Mandela’s hunger for freedom? A) the fact that it had already been taken away from him B) his obligation towards people C) his obligation towards family D) he was born to fight |
| Q.21 Which party did Mandela join? A) Indian National Congress B) African National Congress C) National African Party D) he did not join any party |
| Q.22 A man who takes away another man’s freedom is _____ A) White B) a prisoner of hatred C) criminal D) rude |
| Q.23 Who, according to Mandela is not free? A) oppressor B) oppressed C) both 1 and 2 D) none of the above |
| Q.24 How did Mandela’s hunger for freedom change his life? A) turned from frightened to bold B) turned from law-abiding attorney to a criminal C) turned a life-loving man to live like a monk C) all of the above |
| Q.25 What does depths of oppression create? A) oppressed B) heights of character C) poverty D) lack of freedom |
ANSWER KEY
| 1 | A | 11 | A | 21 | B |
| 2 | B | 12 | C | 22 | B |
| 3 | A | 13 | A | 23 | C |
| 4 | D | 14 | D | 24 | D |
| 5 | A | 15 | B | 25 | B |
| 6 | D | 16 | D | 26 | |
| 7 | D | 17 | D | 27 | |
| 8 | A | 18 | C | 28 | |
| 9 | B | 19 | A | 29 | |
| 10 | A | 20 | A | 30 |
Extra Questions
Question 1.
10th May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days 1 had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphit heater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
(a) Who were coming and for what before the inauguration?
(b) What happened on the inauguration?
(c) Find out the word that means the same ‘commencement’ from the passage.
(d) Find the word from the passage which means ‘an open space surround by sloping land’.
Answer:
(a) Dignitaries and world leaders were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration.
(b) On the inauguration the first ever democracy, a non-racial government was installed as a victory of good or evil.
(c) The word is ‘inauguration’.
(d) The word is ‘ampitheater’.
Question 2.
On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second Deputy President. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first Deputy President. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the well-being of the republic and its people.
(a) Who accompanied Nelson Mandela on the inauguration?
(b) Who took the oath before Mandela? For what?
(c) Find out the word from the passage that has the same meaning as ‘maintain’.
(d) ……. means a small platform that a person stands on when giving a speech etc.
Answer:
(a) Zenani, the daughter of Nelson Mandela accompanied him on the inauguration.
(b) Mr Deklerk and Mr Thabo Mbeki took oath before Nelson Mandela as the second and first deputy president respectively.
(c) The word is ‘uphold’.
(d) The word is ‘podium’.