I. SUMMARY "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela that describes the struggle for freedom of black people in South Africa. On 10th May 1994, Nelson Mandela took the oath as South Africa’s first Black President after more than three centuries of White rule. His party had won in the first democratic elections in the history of South Africa. Many dignitaries and political figures from several countries had attended the inauguration ceremony that took place in the Union Buildings amphitheater in Pretoria. In his speech, Mandela addressed all dignitaries respectfully and assured his fellow countrymen that his country would never experience similar suppression by one group over another. While taking his vow as the first black President, he established democracy in the country and said there would be no discrimination of people, irrespective of colour, creed or race. He assured that the government would always treat all the people of the country with due respect and equality. The lovely day of inauguration was symbolic for Mandela as the South African people sang two national anthems – the vision of whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and the blacks sang ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic. All these events reminded Mandela how the black-skinned people were exploited by the white people earlier. He deeply felt the pain of his race and said that this type of suppression and racial domination of the white-skinned people against the dark-skinned people on their own land gave rise to one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever seen or known. He strongly believed that no person is born to hate the other person on the basis of skin colour, background or religion. Although people must learn to hate initially, because if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love as well, as love comes more naturally to humans than hate. He also mentioned how a person becomes brave, not because he does not feel afraid, but because he knows how to conquer his fears. Furthermore, Mandela stated that every man in life has two major obligations. The first one being towards his family i.e. parents, wife and children and the second obligation towards his motherland, countrymen and his community. Everyone is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own interests and inclinations. However, it was difficult to fulfil both these obligations as a black man in a country like South Africa before the democratic wave took over the nation by storm. When Mandela became an adult, he realised that freedom was merely an illusion and temporary in nature for the black-skinned people of his country. He felt that they were treated as slaves of exploitation and all the people of his race were treated unfairly by the white-skinned people.
According to Mandela, freedom was indivisible for all. But the people of his colour and race were bound in chains of oppression and tyranny. He knew that the oppressor must be liberated just like the oppressed because a person who snatches another’s freedom is also a prisoner of similar oppression. Thus, the oppressor is not free too and feels shackled in the chains of oppression himself. In the chapter – Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, we learnt that brave men are not those who never feel afraid, but the ones who know how to conquer fear. Mandela strongly felt that every individual has certain duties and responsibilities towards his own country and community.
I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.
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 justice, for peace, for human dignity.
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.
(a) Who does ‘we’ refer to in the first line of the passage?
A) People of South Africa
B) C) Military’s loyalty
C) Other racial countries
D) D) White rulers
Ans- A) People of South Africa
(b) What did the people of South Africa achieve at last?
A) an illusion of freedom
B) C) deliverance from poverty
C) political emancipation
D) D) lack of freedom
Ans- B) political emancipation
(c) The word ‘bondage’ means …… in the passage.
A) deprivation B) suffering
C) slavery D)discrimination
Ans- C) slavery
(d) Give a synonym of ‘emancipation’.
A) Human dignity B) Liberation
C) Integrity D) Peacetime
Ans- B) Liberation
2. 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 amphitheater 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 to the nation before the inauguration.
(b) On the inauguration the first ever democratic, non-racial government was installed as a victory of good or evil.
(c) The word is ‘inauguration’.
(d) The word is ‘ampitheater’.
3. In life, every man has twin obligations- obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated.
(a) What are the obligations that every man has in life?
(b) Why was it impossible for a coloured man to discharge his obligations?
(c) Find the word in the passage which has same meaning as ‘duty’.
(d) A word synonymous with intentions’ is ……… in the passage.
Answer:
(a) Every man has two obligations one is to his family and second to his community and country.
(b) In South Africa if a coloured man tried to fulfil his obligations, he was punished and isolated.
(c) The word is ‘obligation’.
(d) Inclinations.
4. “I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God. It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first, as a student, I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a. young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving my potential, of earning my keep, of marrying and having a family—the freedom not to be obstructed in a lawful life.”
(a) In what ways was Mandela free as a child?
(b) What kind of freedom did Mandela yearn for as a man?
(c) Give the meaning of the word ‘illusion’?
(d) What do you mean by ‘transitory’.
Answer:
(a) Mandela was free to run in the fields, free to swim in the stream, free to roast mealies and ride the backs of slow moving bulls.
(b) Mandela yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving his potential of earning his life, of marrying and having a family.
(c) Something which appears to be real but isn’t actually so.
(d) Transitory means ‘momentary or impermanent’
III. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
1. What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters?
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.
2. 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.
3. How, according to Mandela, had apartheid policy affected South Africa?
Answer: Apartheid policy had affected South Africa deeply. It had created a deep and lasting wound in the country and its people. It will take a long time to heal this wound. 4. 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.
5. What is the common loss of both the oppressor and the oppressed?
Answer: According to the speaker, the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humility away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken away from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
6. How did Mandela change in many ways as he went to fight for rights and freedom?
Answer: Mandela had different opinions at his different stages of life. As a boy, freedom was like an illusion. Later, he considered freedom to be allowed to stay out at night, read whatever he pleased, and go wherever he wished. As a young man, he had basic and honourable freedom of achieving potential and getting married. Soon after when he joined the South African National Congress, his meant the freedom of his people.
7. Name the people Mandela referred in text and how according to Mandela they turned out to be extraordinary?
Answer: Mandela referred to Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer and Robert Sobukwe who fought for their freedom from apertheid. These people turned out to be extraordinary by showing their immense courage, wisdom and generosity.
8. When did Mandela join the African National Congress and why?
Answer: When Mandela got to realise that he along with his countrymen were also not free and it was mandatory to make everyone free, then he decided to join the African National Congress. This is because the hunger for his freedom was more than that of his people.
9. What transformations did Mandela go through as he engaged himself?
Answer: After engaging himself, Mandela transformed himself from a frightened young man to a bold one and changed himself from a law-abiding person to a criminal. He even turned himself from a family-loving husband into a man without a home.
10. Discuss Mandela’s thought about indivisible freedoms.
Answer: According to Mandela, freedom is indivisible. The chains on his people were like the chains on him.
IV. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. What does Mandela mean to say that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their humanity?
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.
4. Describe the obligations which the author is talking about and also describe his feelings for them?
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.
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’.
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.
II. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:
1- It was a celebration of South Africa’s first ______ government.
A) autocratic, racial
B) democratic, non-racial.
C) democratic, racial
D) monarch, non-racial
2- Other countries broke off diplomatic relations with South Africa because of----------
A) White rulers
B) Other countries are racial
C) It is a poor country
D) Apartheid policy.
3- "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.
4- "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
5- "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 people.
B) Poverty and suffering in the world
C) Discrimination against the poor and children
D) Oppression of women and girls
6- Whom did Mandela wanted to thank but couldn’t?
A) his family and members of his tribe
B) white rulers and landlords
C) African patriots who no longer lived.
D) Military personnel and bureaucrats
7- 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
8- 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.
10- 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
11- 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 the regime
12- Which party did Mandela join?
A) Indian National Congress
B) African National Congress.
C) National African Party
D) he did not join any party
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 18-19)
1: Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which were attended by dignitaries and world leaders of several nations. In India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are two public buildings that are made of red sandstone.
2: Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Generally, autumn season signifies the harvest season that is associated with abundance and prosperity. In the season of autumn, all the old leaves fall from the tree and give birth to new ones. In the same way, old racial government had given way to the new anti-racial democratic government in South Africa. It was the beginning of a new era.10th May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa because on this auspicious day, the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government took place in the presence of the largest gathering ever of international leaders on the South African soil.
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? In Mandela’s speech ‘an extraordinary human disaster’, he wanted to express the practice of Apartheid in South Africa. During this practice, there was a racial segregation of people based on colour and the Black people suffered the most as they were discriminated by the rest. They could not enjoy the right to freedom. Mandela was jailed as a prisoner for 18 years on the infamous ‘Robben Island’ where he was mistreated by the authorities. He considered it as “great glorious human achievement” that he became the first Black President of South Africa where the Blacks were deprived of basic needs and suffered different kinds of discrimination and were treated badly.
4: What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Mandela felt extremely privileged to welcome the dignitaries and international leaders at the swearing-in ceremony because it was not too long ago when the South Africans were considered outlaws. He therefore, thanked all of them for having come from far and wide to witness the historical oath-taking ceremony of the first Black President of South Africa. This was a wonderful gesture of international recognition to a newly born free democratic nation. 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?
Mandela set the ideals of liberating the people of South Africa from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He wanted the people of the country to enjoy the right to freedom from all forms of bondage and prejudice.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 21)
1: What do the military generals do?
Answer: How has their attitude changed and why? The highest military generals of South African defence force and police saluted and pledged their loyalty to Mandela. This was of great significance as otherwise during the Apartheid era they would have arrested him and put him behind bars. Their attitude changed towards Blacks due to the struggles and sacrifices that were put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle for freedom was not just a struggle with Apartheid, but brought a massive change in mindsets of many people. Mandela believed that love is something that could be taught and human beings are naturally inclined towards love more, rather than hate.
2: Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer: On the auspicious occasion of the inauguration ceremony, two national anthems were sung – the Whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and the Blacks sang ‘Die Stem’ that was the old anthem of the Republic. Both the anthems symbolized the equality of rights between Whites and Blacks.
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?
Answer:
1. 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 peoples of their own land. This created the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever seen or known.
2. In the final decade of the twentieth century, the previous system of government had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
4: What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer: According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that fear.
5: Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer: Mandela thought that love comes more naturally to the human heart rather than hate.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 24)
1: What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer: Mandela mentions two obligations that every man has in life – (i) obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and (ii) he has an obligation to his people, his community and his country.
2: What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student?
Answer: How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”? Like any other kid, Mandela felt freedom meant to be happy, make merry and enjoy the blissful life in his childhood years. However, when a young fellow becomes an adult, the antics of childhood look transitory because all the childish activities are worthless from an adult’s perspective. When a person becomes an adult, he learns to earn a livelihood and earn his own bread and butter. In such a scenario, he understands the basic and honourable freedom in his family and the society that he lives in.
3: Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Answer: Mandela does not feel that the oppressor is free because in his opinion, an oppressor is like a victim of hatred who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He perceives that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace of mind.
Thinking about the Text (Page 24)
1: Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer: Being a part of the inauguration ceremony, the international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from the international community to the concept of end of Apartheid. This signified the victory of good over evil and the triumph of a tolerant society without any prejudice and discrimination of caste, colour or creed.
2: What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Answer: By saying that he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”, Mandela offers his tribute to all the people who had sacrificed their lives in favour of the struggle for freedom. He says that he shall always remain grateful and thankful to those who had gone before him because those freedom fighters had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, Mandela felt that when he comes to power, he would bring equality among his people along with their support and co-operation.
3: Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”?
Answer: How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument? Yes, I agree with the statement that “depths of oppression” do create ‘heights of character”. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by citing examples of great heroes of South Africa such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthulis, Yusuf Dadoos, Bram Fischers, Robert Sobukwes among others who inspired other people by sacrificing their lives in the long struggle for freedom. In India’s pre-Independence era, there was a galaxy of great leaders who didn’t give up to the oppression of British rule such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Bhagat Singh and many more. Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right, if we compare them with the quality of political leaders that India is having today.
4: How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer: With age and rich experience, Mandela understood the essence of freedom in everyone’s life. As a young boy, he always thought that he was born free and could do anything that he wanted. He strongly believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible way. However, as he grew older, he started feeling that freedom was required to raise a family and to earn livelihood, this started dominating his thoughts and views. In due course of time, he realised that he was selfish and was leading an illusionary life during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom alone that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all the Black people was retrenched. Mandela understood that his people were being deprived and discriminated and this led him to develop a hunger for the freedom of his people.
5: How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer: During his youth, Mandela realised that it was not just his freedom alone that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all Black people. The hunger for his own freedom became the hunger for freedom for all his fellow brothers and sisters. In the process, this changed the fearful man to a bold rebel. Mandela sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for the freedom of his countrymen. He joined the African National Congress and this changed his perspective from a frightened young man into a fearless person who fought against racial prejudice and colour discrimination.
