Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom
Page No. 18–19 – Oral Comprehension Check
Q1. 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 sandstone amphitheatre of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. In India, notable sandstone buildings include the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi, and Fatehpur Sikri near Agra.
Q2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Ans. In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. Hence, 10 May falls in autumn in South Africa.
Q3. 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 refers to apartheid—decades of racial discrimination, oppression, and inequality in South Africa. The “glorious human achievement” was the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government after centuries of colonialism and white domination.
Q4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans. He thanks them for attending the inauguration and sharing in South Africa’s victory for justice, peace, and human dignity. Their presence signified recognition of the triumph over apartheid.
Q5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans. Mandela pledges to liberate all South Africans from poverty, suffering, gender inequality, and discrimination, and to build a society based on justice, peace, and human dignity.
Page No. 21 – Oral Comprehension Check
Q1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans. The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela and pledged their loyalty to the new democratic government. Earlier, they would have arrested him. Their attitude changed because apartheid had ended, and democracy had been established.
Q2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans. To symbolise unity, the old anthem Die Stem was sung by blacks, and the new anthem Nkosi Sikelel – iAfrika by whites. It showed reconciliation and the start of a shared future.
Q3. 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.
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(i) In the first decade, South Africa had one of the harshest systems of racial domination in the world.
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(ii) In the final decade, it had a democratic government based on equality and the recognition of human rights.
Q4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans. For Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. A brave man is not one who never feels afraid but one who conquers fear.
Q5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans. Mandela believes love is natural to the human heart. People are taught to hate, but love comes more naturally.
Page No. 23 – Oral Comprehension Check
Q1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Ans. Mandela mentions obligations to one’s family, parents, wife, and children, and obligations to one’s people, community, and country.
Q2. 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”?
Ans.
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As a boy, freedom meant enjoying childhood—running, swimming, or roaming without restrictions.
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As a student, freedom meant making personal choices such as reading what he liked or staying out at night.
He later contrasted these with “basic and honourable freedoms,” such as the right to earn a livelihood, marry, and live with dignity.
Q3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Ans. No, Mandela believes the oppressor is also not free. By denying others freedom, he becomes a prisoner of hatred, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness. Thus, both oppressed and oppressor are robbed of their humanity.
Thinking About the Text (Page No. 24–25)
Q1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans. They attended to celebrate the end of apartheid and the victory of democracy in South Africa. It signified the triumph of justice, equality, and human dignity over racial oppression.
Q2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Ans. Mandela acknowledges that his achievement is not his alone but the result of sacrifices made by countless patriots. He is a representative of their struggle and courage.
Q3. 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. Mandela illustrates this by pointing out leaders like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and Chief Luthuli, who emerged as strong, wise, and generous because of oppression. Similarly, figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malala Yousafzai showed extraordinary character due to injustice.
Q4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans. As a child, freedom meant personal liberty. As a young man, it meant opportunities to study, work, and raise a family. Later, he realised true freedom meant equality and dignity for all people. His hunger for freedom expanded from himself to all South Africans.
Q5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans. His hunger for freedom transformed him from a law-abiding young man to a rebel leader. It drove him to sacrifice his family life, comfort, and safety to dedicate himself to the liberation of his people.
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Type
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What was the significance of 10 May 1994 for South Africa?
It was the day of the first democratic inauguration, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of equality. -
Why did Mandela feel ‘overwhelmed with a sense of history’?
Because South Africa had transformed from centuries of racial oppression to a democracy within his lifetime. -
What did Mandela consider South Africa’s greatest wealth?
Its people—braver, truer, and finer than the purest diamonds. -
What is Mandela’s definition of courage?
Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome it. -
What does Mandela mean when he says both oppressor and oppressed are not free?
The oppressed lose their rights, while the oppressors are imprisoned by hatred and prejudice.
Long Answer Type
Q1. Describe Nelson Mandela’s view on freedom. How did his understanding evolve over time?
Ans. For Mandela, freedom was a concept that grew deeper with age. As a child, freedom meant the ability to run, play, and enjoy life. As a student, it meant personal choices—studying what he liked or staying out late. Later, as a young man, it meant the basic rights of working, marrying, and living with dignity. However, as he grew older and witnessed apartheid, he realised that his freedom was incomplete as long as his people remained oppressed. His hunger for freedom expanded from individual liberty to collective liberation. This transformation turned him from a law-abiding youth into a revolutionary leader. He sacrificed his personal happiness for the cause of equality. For Mandela, true freedom meant not just the absence of chains but the presence of justice, dignity, and equal opportunity for all.
Q2. How did apartheid shape the character of South Africans, according to Mandela?
Ans. Mandela believed apartheid created both suffering and strength. It inflicted pain, humiliation, and deprivation on millions. Yet, it also produced leaders of extraordinary character, such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and Chief Luthuli. These men embodied courage, wisdom, and generosity, qualities that may never have emerged without such deep oppression. Mandela argued that the depths of injustice created heights of character. Ordinary people displayed resilience and bravery in the face of brutality. He himself drew inspiration from such individuals, who risked their lives for freedom. Thus, apartheid, though cruel, unintentionally forged leaders of remarkable moral strength.
Summary of the Lesson
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiographical extract from Nelson Mandela’s memoir. It reflects his journey from being a victim of apartheid to becoming South Africa’s first black President. The chapter describes his historic inauguration on 10 May 1994 and his thoughts about freedom, courage, and humanity.
Mandela begins by describing the day of his swearing-in as President. The Union Buildings in Pretoria, once a symbol of white supremacy, now hosted dignitaries and leaders from over 140 countries. Mandela considered their presence as an acknowledgment of South Africa’s triumph over racism. He thanked them for celebrating with his people and expressed that the day marked not only political emancipation but also the birth of a new, just, and equal society.
He highlighted the extraordinary struggle of South Africans against apartheid, which he called “an extraordinary human disaster.” The “glorious human achievement,” according to him, was the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government. Mandela pledged to continue fighting poverty, deprivation, and discrimination, and to ensure that no one would be oppressed again in his country.
Mandela vividly describes the military display and the singing of two national anthems—an old and a new one. These acts symbolised reconciliation and unity among races. He felt deeply moved, recalling the injustices of the past and the sacrifices of patriots who gave their lives for freedom. He considered himself a continuation of their struggle.
Mandela then reflects on the meaning of courage. For him, courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome it. He had seen many men and women risk their lives for justice, showing resilience and strength. He also explains that love is more natural to human beings than hate. Though people can be taught to hate, they can also be taught to love.
Mandela discusses the “twin obligations” every human has—towards family and towards society. Under apartheid, fulfilling both was impossible for black South Africans. In striving to serve his people, Mandela had to sacrifice his role as a husband and father.
He further describes how his understanding of freedom evolved. As a child, freedom meant simple joys. As a young man, it meant opportunities and dignity. Later, he realised that his freedom was incomplete unless his people were free. His hunger for freedom grew from personal desire to collective responsibility.
Finally, Mandela notes that the oppressor is as much a prisoner as the oppressed. The oppressed lose their rights, while the oppressors lose their humanity by being trapped in hatred and prejudice. True freedom requires liberation of both.
In essence, the chapter highlights Mandela’s vision of a just, humane, and equal society. It portrays him as a leader of great courage and humility, who recognised the sacrifices of others and remained committed to the ideals of freedom and equality. His words inspire not only South Africans but the whole world to value justice, peace, and human dignity.
✒️ Biography of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013) was one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century, renowned for his fight against apartheid and his role in establishing democracy in South Africa. Born on 18 July 1918 in the village of Mvezo in the Eastern Cape, he was a member of the Thembu royal family. Mandela studied law at the University of Fort Hare and later at the University of Witwatersrand, where he became politically active.
In 1944, Mandela co-founded the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League, which sought to end racial discrimination. He soon emerged as a prominent leader in the anti-apartheid movement. He organised protests, strikes, and campaigns against unjust laws. His activism led to repeated arrests, and in 1962 he was sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and conspiracy against the government. He spent 27 years in prison, mostly on Robben Island.
During his imprisonment, Mandela became a global symbol of resistance to oppression. Despite harsh conditions, he showed resilience and inspired millions through his writings and speeches. His imprisonment drew international condemnation of apartheid, leading to sanctions and isolation of South Africa.
Mandela was released in 1990 after intense global pressure and negotiations with the South African government. He played a central role in dismantling apartheid and establishing multiracial elections in 1994. That year, Mandela became South Africa’s first black President. His presidency focused on reconciliation, nation-building, and laying the foundation for democracy. He introduced policies to address poverty, inequality, and racial divisions.
Mandela’s leadership style was marked by humility, forgiveness, and inclusiveness. Instead of seeking revenge, he promoted unity. His ability to forgive his oppressors and work with them set an example for the world. He often said, “Courage is not the absence of fear—it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.”
After serving one term as President, Mandela stepped down in 1999, showing his commitment to democratic principles. He continued to work for peace, education, and health through the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He also became a global advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and children’s rights.
Mandela received over 250 honours, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. His life and values continue to inspire movements for justice worldwide.
He passed away on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and humanity. Mandela is remembered as the “Father of the Nation” in South Africa and as a global icon of peace and equality.