Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Class 10 English Notes
ABOUT THE LESSON:
The lesson is an extract from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, describing the historic day of May 10, 1994. It highlights the swearing-in ceremony of Nelson Mandela as the first Black President of democratic South Africa. The event marked the official end of 'Apartheid,' a brutal system of racial discrimination against Black people. Mandela notes that the presence of international leaders signified a "common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity. He pays a heartfelt tribute to the countless African patriots who sacrificed their lives to end the oppression. Mandela teaches that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. He explains that every man has dual duties—one to his family and one to his community and country. He reflects on how his understanding of freedom grew from a childhood "illusion" to a lifelong struggle for his people's rights. He uniquely argues that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and must be liberated. The lesson concludes with the vision of a new South Africa where everyone is treated equally regardless of their skin color.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader. He served as the first Black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.In South Africa, he is often referred to as "Madiba" or the "Father of the Nation." He spent his life fighting against the institutionalized racism of the apartheid system. For his activism, he was imprisoned for 27 years, primarily on Robben Island. In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (along with F.W. de Klerk) for his work in peacefully ending apartheid. Mandela is globally recognized as a symbol of peace, forgiveness, and extraordinary resilience. This lesson is an excerpt from his famous autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, published in 1994. His life story inspires people worldwide to stand up against injustice and inequality.
ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK - 1
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 lovely sandstone Amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. In India, several public buildings are made of sandstone, such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Red Fort, and the Parliament House in New Delhi.
Q2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Ans: South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, the month of May falls in the autumn season there. Symbolically, it also marked the "autumn" or the end of the old, decaying system of apartheid and the birth of a new, vibrant democratic nation.
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: * The Extraordinary Human Disaster: Mandela refers to the practice of Apartheid, where Black people were treated brutally and denied basic human rights based on their skin color.
The Glorious Human Achievement: He refers to the establishment of South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government, where all people are treated equally regardless of race.
Q4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans: Mandela thanks the international leaders for coming to take possession with the people of South Africa of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, and for human dignity. Their presence signified that the world supported the end of apartheid.
Q5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans: Mandela pledges to liberate all his people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender, and other discrimination. He dreams of a land where the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.
ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK-2
Q: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 had changed significantly; years before, they would not have saluted him but would have arrested him. This change occurred because a new, democratic government had been formed, and Mandela was now the President of a free nation.
Q.2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans: Two national anthems were sung—the old anthem of the Republic (‘Die Stem’) and the new anthem of the Black population (‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’). Mandela chose to have both sung to show that the new government respected all citizens equally, regardless of their skin color. It marked the transition from a divided, racist past to a unified, "rainbow nation" where the white and black populations could live together in harmony.
Q.3. How does Mandela describe the system of government in his country ?
(i)in the first decade
Ans: In the first decade the racial discrimination between the blacks and white, the whites set themselves on higher pedestal and created grounds for one of the gravest racial discrimination the world had ever known. The dark skinned were treated as inferior in their own land and were denied even basic human rights.
(ii) in the final decade of the twentieth century?
Ans: In the final decade of twentieth century the racial discrimination was eradicated and was replaced by equal rights for all, irrespective of their colour.
Q.4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans: Mandela’s definition of courage did not mean absence of fear but victory over fear. A man should not be fearless. He should acknowledge the fear and gather courage to fight against it.
Q.5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans: It is natural for the human heart to love than to hate, according to Mandela.
ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK - 3
Q1. What ‘twin obligations’ does Mandela mention?
Ans: Mandela mentions that every man has twin (two) obligations:
To his family: This includes his parents, his wife, and his children.
To his people: This includes his community and his 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: * As a boy: Freedom meant being able to run in the fields, swim in the clear stream, and roast mealies under the stars.
As a student: He wanted "transitory freedoms"—personal freedoms like staying out late, reading what he pleased, and going where he chose.
The Contrast: He contrasts these with "basic and honourable freedoms," which involve achieving one's potential, earning a living, marrying, and having a family—freedoms that are not obstructed by a law-abiding government but were denied under apartheid.
Q3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Ans: No, Mandela believes the oppressor is not free. He argues that an oppressor is a "prisoner of hatred" and is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He famously stated that both the oppressor and the oppressed are alike robbed of 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 Britishers ruled over various countries around the world and exploited them for their own gains. Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa, after three hundred years of oppression. This signifies their win against the oppressors.
The presence of international leaders signifies their appreciation of the struggle that Africa went through. It showed that all the nations around the world were standing in unity with Africa.
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 was inspired by the passion of individuals and freedom fighters. He believed that those patriots who died, without their sacrifice, this would not have been possible. He held their sacrifice as well as the other citizens who sacrificed themselves for the nation at zenith. He paid tribute to all the lives who took part in freedom struggle and worked towards what they dreamed for Africa .
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 believe that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” It is when we face adverse situations. Such situations help us to come out of our comfort zone and discover the strength that lies deep within us. Nelson Mandela did the same. He was ready to sacrifice himself for the freedom of his nation. He spent 27 years in prison and then became the first President of independent South Africa.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans: Mandela was a part of an African neglected tribe. Mandela was concerned about his own freedom. He considered himself to be free since he wasn't imposed with any restrictions. He was just asked to abide by his father’s and communities' rules. As he grew up he realized his narrow view of freedom. He understood that it's not only his freedom that matters but also other fellow black members and the residents of the country. It was after this realized he joined ANC to achieve this aim.
5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans: Realization about the importance of the freedom of the country made Mandela alert when he was young. He eventually realized that if the citizens of his country aren't free then his freedom is worthless. He held in his heart a desire for non-racial society irrespective of black or white. His own hunger for freedom grew into hunger for the freedom of his own people. Then he joined the African National Congress and eventually reached his goal.
1 MARK QUESTION AND ANSWERS.
1.When was the inauguration day?
Ans: 10th May 1994.
2. Where did the ceremonies take place?
Ans: In the sandstone Amphitheatre of the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
3. What was the name of the system of racial discrimination in South Africa?
Ans: Apartheid.
4. Who was sworn in as the second deputy president?
Ans: Mr. de Klerk.
5.Who was sworn in as the first deputy president?
Ans: Thabo Mbeki.
6. How many years did Mandela spend in prison?
Ans: 30 years (He mentions nearly three decades).
7. Which party did Nelson Mandela join?
Ans: The African National Congress (ANC).
8. According to Mandela, what is a nation’s greatest wealth?
Ans: Its people (not gems and diamonds).
9. How does Mandela define courage?
Ans: Courage is the triumph over fear, not the absence of it.
10. What are the "twin obligations" every man has?
Ans: Obligations to his family and obligations to his country/people.
11. What colors did the new South African flag possess?
Ans: Black, red, green, blue, and gold.
12. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans: To symbolize equality and the unity of blacks and whites.
13. What "extraordinary human disaster" does Mandela refer to?
Ans: The practice of Apartheid.
14. What does Mandela say about a man who takes away another man's freedom?
Ans: He is a prisoner of hatred.
15. What is the title of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography?
Ans: Long Walk to Freedom.
16. What produced "men of extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity"?
Ans: Decades of oppression and brutality.
17. Is a person born hating another according to Mandela?
Ans: No, people must learn to hate; and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.
18. Which season did the 10th of May fall in South Africa?
Ans: Autumn.
19. What did the smoke trail of Impala jets symbolize?
Ans: The new South African flag.
20. Who is a "brave man" according to Mandela?
Ans: One who conquers his fear.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. On which day did the inauguration ceremony take place?
A) 10 May
B) 10 March
C) 20 May
D) 20 March
Ans: A) 10 May
2. What was the venue of the inauguration?
A) Parliament House
B) Union Buildings Amphitheatre
C) Robben Island
D) Johannesburg Stadium
Ans: B) Union Buildings Amphitheatre
3. How many years did Mandela spend in prison?
A) 20 years
B) 27 years
C) 30 years
D) 15 years
Ans: C) 30 years (Note: He mentions "nearly three decades")
4. The system of "Apartheid" was based on:
A) Religion
B) Language
C) Race
D) Gender
Ans: C) Race
5. Who was sworn in as the First Deputy President?
A) Thabo Mbeki
B) Mr. de Klerk
C) Nelson Mandela
D) Oliver Tambo
Ans: A) Thabo Mbeki
6. What does "extraordinary human disaster" refer to in the speech?
A) World War II
B) The system of Apartheid
C) The Great Depression
D) A natural calamity
Ans: B) The system of Apartheid
7. According to Mandela, what is the greatest wealth of a nation?
A) Diamonds
B) Gold
C) Its people
) Its military
Ans: C) Its people
8. What is the "triumph over fear" called?
A) Love
B) Courage
C) Liberty
D) Strength
Ans: B) Courage
9. Why were two national anthems sung?
A) To prolong the ceremony
B) To show the musical talent of the country
C) To symbolize unity and equality
D) To respect the international guests
Ans: C) To symbolize unity and equality
10. What are the "twin obligations" Mandela talks about?
A) To work and to play
B) To family and to his people/country
C) To the law and to the church
D) To himself and to his friends
Ans: B) To family and to his people/country
11. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is:
A) A hero
B) Free himself
C) A prisoner of hatred
D) A revolutionary
Ans: C) A prisoner of hatred
12. Which party did Nelson Mandela join?
A) African National Party
B) African National Congress
C) South African Congress
D) International Peace Party
Ans: B) African National Congress (ANC)
13. What did Mandela realize about his childhood freedom?
A) It was permanent
B) It was an illusion
C) It was a gift from his parents
D) It was better than adulthood
Ans: B) It was an illusion
14. The "depths of oppression" create:
A) Heights of character
B) Poverty
C) Rebellion
D) Fear
Ans: A) Heights of character
15. What is the name of Mandela's autobiography?
A) My Experiments with Truth
B) Long Walk to Freedom
C) Freedom from Fear
D) The Story of My Life
Ans: B) Long Walk to Freedom
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