“Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson
Mandela
1.
About the Author
Nelson
Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013)
- South African anti-apartheid
revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist.
- Served as the first black
President of South Africa (1994–1999).
- Spent 27 years in prison
for opposing the apartheid regime.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize (1993).
- His autobiography “Long Walk
to Freedom” (1994) records his life, struggles, and vision for
equality.
2.
About the Extract
- The extract in textbooks is
taken from Chapter 11 of Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to
Freedom.
- It describes Mandela’s
experiences on the day he became South Africa’s first democratically
elected President — May 10, 1994.
- It reflects on freedom,
equality, courage, and the sacrifices of countless patriots.
3.
Summary
On 10 May
1994, Nelson Mandela took oath as the first black President of South
Africa after decades of racial segregation under apartheid. The
inauguration ceremony took place at the Union Buildings, Pretoria,
attended by leaders from many countries.
Mandela spoke
about the long struggle of his people for freedom and paid tribute to those
who sacrificed their lives for justice and equality. He emphasized that freedom
is not just about casting off one’s chains but also respecting the freedom of
others.
He recalled
that earlier South Africa was known for racial discrimination, but that day it
symbolized a nation of democracy, peace, and hope. Mandela also
expressed a sense of duty and responsibility towards building a society
free from poverty, injustice, and discrimination.
4.
Important Themes
- Freedom
and Equality – True freedom includes respect for everyone’s
rights.
- Sacrifice – Many
freedom fighters gave their lives for liberty.
- Unity and
Reconciliation – Mandela promotes forgiveness and unity
among races.
- Hope and
Responsibility – A new democratic beginning for South
Africa.
5.
Important Characters and Figures
|
Character/Figure |
Description |
|
Nelson
Mandela |
The narrator
and first black President of South Africa. |
|
Oliver Tambo |
Mandela’s
comrade and close friend in the freedom struggle. |
|
Apartheid
Heroes |
Countless men
and women who fought for racial equality. |
|
Dignitaries
from around the world |
Representing
global support for South Africa’s new democracy. |
6.
Important Places
|
Place |
Importance |
|
Union
Buildings, Pretoria |
Site of the
inauguration ceremony. |
|
South Africa |
The nation
moving from apartheid to democracy. |
|
Robben Island |
Prison where
Mandela spent many years of imprisonment. |
7.
Important Quotations
- “The brave man is not he who
does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
- “I learned that courage was
not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
- “No one is born hating
another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or
his religion.”
- “For to be free is not
merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and
enhances the freedom of others.”
8.
Difficult Words and Meanings
|
Word |
Meaning |
|
Apartheid |
Policy of
racial segregation in South Africa. |
|
Inauguration |
Formal
ceremony to begin or introduce something. |
|
Liberation |
Freedom from
oppression or slavery. |
|
Resilience |
Ability to
recover from difficulties. |
|
Courageous |
Brave; facing
danger without fear. |
|
Dignitary |
A person
considered important because of high rank or office. |
|
Comrades |
Fellow
members in an organization or struggle. |
|
Emancipation |
Act of
freeing someone from bondage or control. |
9.
Structure and Style
- Autobiographical
narrative – written in first person.
- Formal and
reflective tone.
- Blends personal experience
with universal message of freedom and humanity.
🌍 1. What is the
lesson “Long Walk to Freedom” about?
Answer:
The lesson is an extract from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. It describes the
historic day when he became the first black President of South Africa. It
highlights his struggle and the sacrifices made by many people for freedom and
equality, and it conveys his vision of a just and democratic nation.
✊ 2. What does Nelson Mandela mean by “the
oppressor and the oppressed are both robbed of their humanity”?
Answer:
Mandela means that oppression dehumanizes both the oppressor and the oppressed.
The oppressed lose their freedom and dignity, while the oppressor becomes cruel
and loses moral values. True freedom is possible only when both are liberated
from this system.
🕊️ 3. What is
the significance of 10 May 1994 in the history of South Africa?
Answer:
On 10 May 1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the first black
President of South Africa. It marked the end of apartheid and the beginning
of a new democratic, non-racial government. The day symbolized freedom,
equality, and unity.
🕯️ 4. What ideas
did Mandela express in his speech at the inauguration ceremony?
Answer:
In his speech, Mandela expressed gratitude to all freedom fighters, promised to
build a nation of justice and peace, and spoke about the importance of
reconciliation. He pledged to fight against poverty, discrimination, and
injustice.
💪 5. What did
Mandela think about courage and fear?
Answer:
Mandela said, “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who
conquers that fear.”
He believed courage was not the absence of fear but the victory over it.
💡 6. What does
Mandela say about the meaning of freedom?
Answer:
According to Mandela, freedom is not merely the right to be free from
physical bondage, but also the ability to live with dignity and respect the
freedom of others. True freedom means equality and harmony among all people.
🏅 7. Who were
Mandela’s heroes and why did he call them so?
Answer:
Mandela’s heroes were the countless men and women who sacrificed their lives
for South Africa’s freedom, such as Oliver Tambo, Chief Luthuli, Walter
Sisulu, and Yusuf Dadoo. He called them heroes because they showed courage
and selflessness for the nation’s liberation.
🌈 8. How does
Mandela describe the change in the perception of South Africa on that day?
Answer:
Earlier, South Africa was known as a country of racial discrimination and
injustice. On that day, it was transformed into a symbol of democracy,
peace, and hope, admired by the entire world.
⚖️ 9. What promise did Mandela make to his people
and the world?
Answer:
Mandela promised to work tirelessly to build a society free from poverty,
discrimination, and injustice, and to ensure that never again would
South Africa experience the oppression of one group over another.
🔥 10. What
lesson does “Long Walk to Freedom” teach us?
Answer:
The lesson teaches that freedom comes through struggle, sacrifice, and
perseverance. It reminds us of the values of forgiveness, equality, and
respect for others’ rights — essential for peace and humanity.
🕊️ 11. How did
Mandela pay tribute to the patriots who sacrificed their lives?
Answer:
He remembered and honored all those who had suffered, fought, and even died for
the nation’s freedom. He said their courage and ideals made it possible for him
and others to experience the joy of liberty.
🌞 12. What twin
obligations does Mandela speak about?
Answer:
Mandela speaks of two obligations that every person has:
- To his family, to live and care
for them.
- To his community, country, and
people — to work for their freedom and welfare.
He said it was impossible for a black man under apartheid to fulfill both.
🧠 13. What
change did Mandela see in his attitude towards freedom from childhood to
adulthood?
Answer:
As a child, Mandela thought freedom meant the ability to run, play, and live
without restriction. But as he grew up, he realized true freedom meant
the right to live with dignity and equality — without fear or discrimination.
❤️ 14. What vision did Nelson Mandela have for
South Africa?
Answer:
Mandela envisioned a democratic and peaceful South Africa, where all
races live together in harmony and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
⚙️ 15. Why does Mandela call his journey a “long
walk”?
Answer:
He calls it a “long walk” because the struggle for freedom was long, difficult,
and full of sacrifice. Although apartheid ended, the journey to achieve
equality, justice, and prosperity for all was still continuing.
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